Agriculture

October 13, 2003 12:01 AM

Red River Valley farmers anticipate a profitable harvest

Harvest equipment is rolling through the region's farm fields. It's a critical time for farmers, because their income is dependent on this time of year. Farmers hope market conditions are ripe for a good price. So far this year in the Red River Valley, harvest has been going smoothly and it appears the price may be right.

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October 2, 2003 12:01 PM

Drought cuts soybean yields

The fall harvest has confirmed predictions of drought damage. Soybean yields In Minnesota are down about a third from an average year. The good news is, prices are rising.

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September 19, 2003 12:01 AM

Minnesota wheat makes a premium vodka

Early in 2003, a new kind of vodka made its national debut. Shakers is made in the small west-central Minnesota town of Benson from wheat grown on area farms. Now it's sold in bars and restaurants in 16 states. In a part of the state better known for corn fields and dairy farms, premium vodka is giving value-added agriculture new meaning.

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September 17, 2003 11:00 AM

Farmers lament inability to get bumper wheat crop to market

The wheat harvest in the Northern Plains is complete and the crop is out of the field. Farmers have started to move the harvest from the farm to the elevator. But the next step will be more difficult. That is, finding enough railroad cars to move crops from elevators to markets around the country.

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September 15, 2003 5:04 PM

An international food fight

One of the many issues left undecided by the collapse of the World Trade Organization talks in Cancun is the fight over food names. The European Union wants the exclusive rights to terms like Feta and Champagne, Gorgonzola and Chablis. E.U. trade officials argue that these and 37 other identifiers belong to small producers in specific regions of Europe. The issue isn't likely to go away anytime soon. And that worries Midwestern cheese makers.

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September 15, 2003 12:00 PM

South Dakota wants to lure biotech companies

There's a new effort to make South Dakota competitive in biotechnology. Many would say the state is about 20 years behind the times. But Gov. Mike Rounds says whether it's agricultural products or medical breakthroughs, he's ready to offer an office and financial assistance to companies willing to move. Unfortunately many biotech companies are either well established elsewhere, or are still just someone's good idea.

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September 12, 2003 4:10 PM

WTO may intervene in dispute over genetically modified crops

Minnesota farmers are paying close attention to a trade dispute spurred by European Union restrictions on genetically modified, or GM crops. The EU placed restrictions on GM crops in 1998, citing a need to protect consumers. They've banned certain varieties of GM corn and just this year, required labelling of GM food. U.S. trade officials say the restrictions are illegal protectionism. The U.S. wants the World Trade Organization to intervene.

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September 9, 2003 3:57 PM

Pawlenty tours drought-stricken fields

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and state Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson visited the Southeastern Minnesota town of Mazeppa on Tuesday to evaluate crop damage from this summer's drought.

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September 8, 2003 10:20 AM

Drought turns good crop outlook to poor

Governor Tim Pawlenty will seek federal aid to assist farmers who are losing crops to the tune of more than $1 billion in Minnesota. The aid will help what has been a heartbreaking growing season.

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September 5, 2003 4:29 PM

Pawlenty to ask for federal aid for farmers; DFLers want state relief package too

Gov. Pawlenty said Friday that the state will seek a federal disaster declaration because of drought conditions. He says it appears about 50 of the state's 87 counties qualify for disaster assistance because of the late-summer drought. Some House Democrats say the governor should also start putting together a state disaster relief package.

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