Despite high farm profits, producers increasingly pessimistic as costs climb
Energy and fertilizer costs threaten to cut short an impressive rebound in farm profitability.
Dollars in the dirt: Big Ag pays farmers for control of their soil-bound carbon
Sequestering carbon can provide a new revenue stream for farmers, and the techniques may lead to bigger crop yields.
Minnesota's drought shows signs of easing with steady rain
For the first time since spring, more than 1/10th of the state — primarily in southwestern Minnesota — is no longer abnormally dry. The north still is seeing dry conditions.
Business
COVID-19 hit at least 59,000 meat workers in pandemic's first year, report says
The data was compiled by a U.S. House panel with numbers from major meat processing firms.
Local
Conversion of grasslands to crops threatens state's wildlife, water, climate
Minnesota lost nearly 2 million acres of grassland to crops from 2012 to 2019, according to the World Wildlife Fund's Northern Great Plains program. That's more than the state of Delaware.
Business
Nearly all Minn. farmers white, and change doesn't come easy
Two farms in Pine County illustrate how America's evolving discussion on opportunity and race is threading into one of its most lopsided industries: agriculture.
Business
Heavy rain hits China corn harvest, raises quality concerns
But in the U.S., corn and soybean production estimates are up.
Business
U.S. farm income this year is expected to be the second-highest ever
Crops proved resilient against drought and demand for corn is soaring in China, sending prices for the fall harvest upward.
Business
World Food Day brings focus on global conflict, food security
Global Minnesota is holding a virtual symposium on food scarcity challenges Friday.
Business
Animal rights group accuses Minnesota's Jennie-O and Butterfield of mistreating birds
Animal Welfare Institute asks local county attorneys to prosecute firms where turkeys and chickens died in trucks.
Business
Hormel takes another big step in plant-based meat alternatives
Minnesota-based food giant Hormel is partnering with Better Meat, a specialist in proteins from potato fermentation.
Business
Calyxt, firm that edits genes in plants, will offer its technology to other firms
The Roseville company until now has focused on using gene-editing technology to develop its own products, including a soybean that had a trans fat gene taken out.
Agriculture
Besieged by seaweed, Caribbean scrambles to make use of the stuff
Some entrepreneurs are turning it into animal feed, while others are adding it to construction material.
Business
After a poor wheat harvest in U.S., look for higher prices on flour and bread
Supply levels of wheat are at their lowest since 2007, and supplies of soybeans and corn were also down from year-ago levels.
Business
Land O'Lakes CEO Beth Ford joins BlackRock's board
Ford joins a board of 18 people who oversee executives of the world's largest asset management firm.
Agriculture
Minn. farmer charged with collecting $548K in false crop loss claims
The fraud involved claims of crop loss due to "excessive moisture," the charging document read.
Local
Roseville mushroom grower is 'farm family' of the year
Urban mushroom farm receives University of Minnesota Extension agriculture honor
Gov. Walz: 'We need to keep folks on the land'
Gov. Tim Walz and Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen announced a drought relief package for Minnesota farmers and livestock producers impacted by severe drought conditions during the 2021 growing season.
Agriculture
Gov. Walz announces $10M farm relief plan, but aid could get held up in political deadlock
Farmers say aid could help keep people afloat, and time is of the essence.
Business
Minnesota farmers lack access to federal conservation dollars
Two Minnesota nonprofit organizations say farmers are trying to set aside more land for conservation, but federal help isn't coming as planned.
Business
State sues big Minnesota egg producer, accusing it of price-gouging in pandemic
Minnesota joins other states in suing egg producers, but Sparboe and other farmers wonder if prosecutors understand economics.
After dry summer, Minnesota's harvest is underway and yields already differ
The dividing line appears to be right through the middle of the state, with the northern half enduring lower yields because of the lack of rain in the heart of summer.
Business
Beef prices are surging, but processors are benefiting more than farmers
Four companies control processing and distribution of 80% of U.S. beef, a choke point that is drawing scrutiny from Washington.
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