FARMER

Storm a mixed bag for SD agriculture

RAPID CITY, S.D. — The spring storm pounding South Dakota is a mixed bag for the agricultural community.

By Associated Press , April 10, 2013

House, Senate agree to 1 year farm bill extension

WASHINGTON — The top leaders in both parties on the House and Senate Agriculture committees have agreed to a one-year extension of the 2008 farm bill that expired in October, a move that could head off a possible doubling of milk prices next month.

By Alan Fram , December 31, 2012

Chinese cancellations drop market

The wheat markets had losses of 15 to 20 cents last week, following along with the steep losses seen in the row crop markets. Noncommercial money was flowing out of the grain markets ahead of the holiday breaks and year-end.

By Ray Grabanski , December 24, 2012

Chances are slim for new farm bill

WASHINGTON — The probability that Congress and President Barack Obama will conclude a “fiscal cliff” bill to deal with the nation’s deficit, much less include a new farm bill in it, is low, but House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., said he is not worried about whether a bill is passed before next year.

By Jerry Hagstrom , December 24, 2012

Farm bill gridlock

WASHINGTON — Negotiations between the Senate and House agriculture committees ground to a halt on Dec. 13.

By Jerry Hagstrom , December 17, 2012

Mistakes and Marketing

High prices and drought can cause area farmers to make costly mistakes in marketing their crops, a group of marketing experts say.

By Jonathan Knutson , December 17, 2012

Crop insurance under fire

WASHINGTON — The American Association of Crop Insurers and the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau are urging the Senate to reject all the amendments that would change the crop insurance section of the farm bill, but reform coalitions are urging the senators to consider passing them. The groups, which represent crop insurance agents and companies, issued the statement recently.

By Jerry Hagstrom , June 18, 2012

China's agricultural future

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As the most populous nation on Earth, China has intermittently been seen as the solution to the problem created by the ability of United States farmers to produce more than they can sell at a profitable price. Sometimes the discussion is focused on cotton; at other times it is corn or soybeans. Today, it is pork — on the hoof that is. A recent Reuters article provides an explanation for the surge in the import of live pigs into China. From 2002 to 2007, China imported a total of 13,000 head of swine, while from 2008 to 2011, live swine imports totaled 39,000 head — 15,000 in 2011 alone.

By Daryll E. Ray and Harwood D. Schaffer , May 29, 2012

Animal ag's stake

MEDINA, N.D. — Jason Schmidt doesn’t want the Humane Society of the United States to have any influence on animal laws in the state of North Dakota.

By Mikkel Pates , April 30, 2012

Great spring for livestock

In a lifetime in the sheep business, Dave Hinneland has seen springs that were good for lambing. He’s also seen springs in which lamb prices were strong.

By Jonathan Knutson , April 16, 2012

Fit to plant

BUFFALO LAKE, Minn. — Earl Matzdorf, 69, Buffalo Lake, Minn., was working in some urea fertilizer on April 9, getting ready to start planting corn on April 10.

By Mikkel Pates , April 16, 2012

Farmers in ND, Minn. create farming app

BISMARCK — Two farmers have developed a smartphone application to help manage their farms even while they're still sitting on their tractors.

By Associated Press , April 11, 2012

Barley bounces back

Sheyenne, N.D., farmer Mark Seastrand expects to plant roughly twice as many barley acres this spring as a year ago. A lot of other North Dakota farmers will be planting more barley, too, if the U.S. Department of Agriculture is right.

By Jonathan Knutson , April 09, 2012

Latest News

American Indian leader testifies against wolf hunt in Minnesota

By Agweek wire reports , April 09, 2012

Food, fuel go hand in hand

WASHINGTON — With gas prices ticking ever-higher and the summer months approaching, no relief is in sight. Gas prices affect not only your cost at the pump, but also the cost to transport goods you use in everyday life, such as food and clothing. With an economy that is slowly recovering, spikes in the price of fuel could spell disaster. Congress needs to act to ensure our economic recovery is not derailed.

By Roger Johnson , April 09, 2012