Articles

ND elevator partners with Kan. company to build shuttle loader

Privately held grain company Tronson Grain Co. is building a 1-million-bushel shuttle loader in Doyon, N.D., in partnership with Agrex Inc. of Overland Park, Kan.

ND begins 'energy beet' process study

The first beet-to-ethanol pilot plant in the nation recently was announced for construction in California. Meanwhile, North Dakota researchers are moving forward on studies to determine if a similar idea will be feasible there.

• Unloading beets

Golden Growers total payout hits milestone

ND sweetener plant cash distributions surpass original investments.

Seminars help farmers better manage on-farm employees

Fourteen farmers attended a first-of-its-kind set of seminars in North Dakota on agriculture employment management. The seminars, held in Jamestown, were led by extension service staff in three states and focused on the general issues that affect agriculture — hiring, retaining, motivating and evaluating employees.

Self-propelled beet harvesters showcased at Sugarbeet Institute

Will Red River Valley area sugar beet farmers change from the familiar pull-behind sugar beet harvesters to self-propelled machines? Four manufacturers are hoping so, as they talked up their wares at the 51st International Sugarbeet Institute, March 13 and 14 in Fargo.

• Toy model of beet harvester
• Self-propelled beet harvester display

Getting the info

Survey summarizes how farmers stay informed.

Diving sugar prices dampen share values

Annual Sugarbeet Institute addresses price problems.

Measuring methane

Can it evaluate cattle feed efficiency and overall health?

• On-board computer sends data from a GreenFeed system
• GreenFeed French beef breeding
• Zimmermans

NDSU economists say land rent should be a win for both parties

Cash rent is likely to remain the dominant form of farm land rental arrangement in the region. But the number of “flexible cash” rental deals is increasing in a fast-moving market, experts say, and there always will be a small percent of share-crop deals.

NDSU, others prep food firms on expanded safety standards

North Dakota government organizations are trying to help the state’s food companies get ready to comply with new and emerging rules from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Columns

Accidents happen when people get in a hurry

FARGO, N.D. — May 5, I drove from Fargo, N.D., to Bismarck, N.D., to cover a court hearing the next morning. It was a beautiful evening, but it was clear that the fields were too wet for this time of year. Almost none of the field work had been done. I counted two planting rigs operating across that 180-mile stretch. I think there was one outfit planting potatoes.

Does tiling cut flooding?

FARGO, N.D. — My wife and I are contemplating another season of flood fighting in south Fargo, N.D. We’ve helped fill sandbags each year for the past two years but never had to place them around our property. In 2009, I helped a family friend put 30,000 of them around his Moorhead, Minn., house. Lloyd is one of the greatest of the Greatest Generation, in my book, and appreciated the help. He’ll get it again this year if he needs it.

New year guesses can entertain, guide us

FARGO, N.D. — My wife, Barb, and I have an annual New Year’s ritual — Our Predictions.

What does humane production mean?

FARGO, N.D. — I always am fascinated with recommendations from groups like the Humane Society of the United States.

Candidates tout ag connections

FARGO, N.D. — Agriculture = good. If you don’t believe it, look at the year’s crop of political ads. This year, I took special notice of ads by Brad Crabtree, candidate for the North Dakota Public Service Commission.

Agriculture needs its honest info brokers

FARGO, N.D. — Historically, ethics has been an important thing in journalism. I hope ethics isn’t becoming passe in the “today’s economy.”

‘Nutrient density’ and other dense ideas

FARGO, N.D. — I read with interest a July 8 release from Organic Trade Association, which criticizes a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture draft Dietary Guidelines for Americans in 2010. The OTA complains that the guidelines say there is limited research on “nutrient density” comparisons between organic and conventionally raised food.

Coffee and the meaning of life

FARGO, N.D. — My sympathies to the entire family of Helen M. Broten of Dazey, N.D. Helen died at age 93 June 16, leaving the families of three daughters and a son.

A weird few days

FARGO, N.D. — Recently, I ran into a fellow who alerted me to big things happening with genetically modified wheat. GM wheat made me think about cures for Fusarium head blight or “scab,” which was the scourge of wheat producers in the region in the mid-1990s — and that reminded me of how I acquired Bailey, the older of the two of my tri-color English setter dogs. Bailey turned 12 on April 21.

AG AT-LARGE: 10 years later

FARGO, N.D. — Jan. 3, I marked exactly 10 years with Agweek and the Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald.