Crops

WILLMAR -- Following a modest decline in 2009, Minnesota cropland values moved higher again in 2010. Meanwhile, average cash rental rates for Minnesota cropland continued their uninterrupted and steady upward climb. According to the U.S.

ST. PAUL -- Although the weather this summer has been good for soybean growth in much of Minnesota, the same weather has favored development of soybean diseases. Several root and stem diseases that have potential to significantly damage yields have been appearing. Sudden death syndrome...

MADISON -- A field day near Madison will focus on cover crops and using alfalfa mulch for nitrogen credit before corn. Start time is 1 p.m. for the Aug. 23 field day, "Cover Crops and Alfalfa Mulch," organized by the nonprofit Rural Advantage and University of Minnesota Extension. Crops...

A new publication released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides the latest information regarding the amount of U.S. agricultural land that is owned by foreign persons. There is approximately 22.2 million acres of agricultural land in the United States. As of Feb. 28, 2009,...

WILLMAR -- It may still be several months away, but farmers are already looking ahead and making plans for the fall harvest. After last year's extended and rather difficult harvest season, many farmers may have discovered a need to increase their grain storage capacity or upgrade...

WILLMAR -- One of the biggest obstacles facing young people who dream of making production agriculture a viable occupational choice is the availability of productive and affordable cropland. In addition to competition from other farmers seeking more cropland, the availability of...

Politicians, especially ones out of office, sometimes ask voters if they're better off today than they were a year ago. With spring planting inching toward completion, it might be time to ask area farmers and ranchers the same question. Their collective answer: Probably not, unless...

WILLMAR -- According to a recent survey conducted by the Apiary Inspectors of America and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, beekeepers report a 33.8 percent decline in managed honey bee colonies nationwide.

Soybean seed is in short supply for some area farmers. But the best bet is that producers should have enough to finish planting unless a wide swath of frost kills young bean plants and forces reseeding. "It's something to watch. But I think there's enough to cover the acres unless...

WILLMAR -- According to the information contained in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest National Resource Inventory of non-federal lands, soil erosion on our nation's cropland has declined by more than 40 percent during the past 25 years. Specifically, USDA's data indicate...

WILLMAR -- Local Farm Service Agency offices continue to accept requests to participate in either the Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment program or the Average Crop Revenue Election program. Application requests will continue to be accepted through the sign-up deadline of June1. Under...

A University of Minnesota-backed research team has embarked on a three-year, $500,000 study to determine how the changing landscape in North Dakota's prairie pothole region affects the health of bees and their ability to pollinate crops nationwide. It's a pressing issue, and not...

WILLMAR -- According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Prospective Plantings report, farmers intend to plant a record-high 78.1 million acres of soybeans in 2010, up 1 percent from last year's previous record. The largest soybean acreage increases are expected in Kansas, up...