Agriculture

Minnesotans love to talk about the extremes in the weather. This year, those extremes -- too dry in the south, too wet in the northwest -- have left some farmers wondering if they can survive another year.
Persistent heavy rain is causing widespread crop damage in northwest Minnesota. A report will go to Gov. Pawlenty next week in preparation for seeking a federal disaster declaration.
A herd of 900 cattle in northern Minnesota will be destroyed to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis. Agriculture officials are confident the outbreak was caught in time to keep it from spreading.
Agriculture is becoming so specialized that many farmers hire consultants. During the summer the consultant's main focus is crop health.
Canadian cattle ranchers are struggling with the impact of the continued U.S. ban on their livestock. Some say the ban could actually make the beef industry in Canada stronger and less dependent on the U.S.
Excessive rainfall is damaging crops across Minnesota. Some top state agriculture officials plan to tour west central and northwest Minnesota to survey the damage.
Agriculture experts have been watching a disease called soybean rust hop around the globe for decades. Now, some Minnesota farmers are preparing for the arrival of soy rust.
Organic farming has many rules, including a ban on genetically altered crops. Even with the ban, gene modified plants show up in their fields. It's an environmental and economic concern.