Agriculture

Walz hears farm bill ideas
Southwest Minnesota farmers told 1st District Congressman Tim Walz Wednesday what they'd like to see in the next farm bill. Among the suggestions: cap federal subsidy payments to the largest farms.
Minnesota farmers boost corn acres
Minnesota's mix of crops will be a little different this spring. Farmers will plant more corn. The underlying reason for the decision is the growth of the ethanol industry.
Minnesota's role in increasing renewable fuel supply
In his State of the Union address Tuesday, President Bush called for America to produce 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels by 2017. Much of that fuel may well come from Minnesota's farm fields.
North Dakota challenges federal ban on hemp
North Dakota is licensing farmers to grow hemp, setting up a clash with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Hemp is grown for it's fibers and oil in much of the world, but the DEA classifies the plant as an illegal drug.
Federal help for cellulosic ethanol
Several companies are competing to build the nation's first cellulosic ethanol plants. The federal government likely will help decide the winners.
Construction concerns stall new ethanol  plants
Some plans for new ethanol production have been postponed or canceled across the U.S. as the ethanol boom slows. One analyst says far more plants have been proposed than will ever be built.