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Agriculture

Planting conditions improve in Minnesota
A miserable start to spring planting for Minnesota farmers has greatly improved with a stretch of better weather.May 21, 2013
High crop prices entice farms to expand planting
Clark Kelly plans to spend a lot of time on the links this spring. The Illinois farmer is plowing the Hend-Co-Hills Golf Course near tiny Biggsville into a cornfield.May 20, 2013
Half of Minn.'s corn crop planted
Minnesota farmers took advantage of good weather last week to plant more than half their corn crop.May 20, 2013
Monsanto's win was more about patents than seeds
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that when farmers use patented seed for more than one planting in violation of their licensing agreements, they are liable for damages.May 14, 2013
High court rules for Monsanto in patent case
The Supreme Court said Monday that an Indiana farmer violated Monsanto Co.'s patents on soybean seeds resistant to its weed-killer by growing the beans without buying new seeds from the corporation.May 13, 2013
Report: US winter wheat production forecast down
The winter wheat crop is expected to be far smaller this season compared to last, particularly for hard red varieties used in bread, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Friday.May 11, 2013
Minn. farmers behind schedule, but expect good growing season
After a summer of drought and a winter that seemed endless, Minnesota farmers welcomed some decent planting weather over the past week. Even though planting is now running behind, farmers still believe they will see a good crop.May 10, 2013
Rain helps Midwest drought situation
A wet spring continues to soak the soil across much of the Midwest, causing the prolonged drought to slowly retreat westward, the weekly drought report released Thursday said.May 9, 2013
Cranberry farmers struggle as surplus drops prices
U.S. cranberry farmers who spent millions of dollars to replant and expand bogs face a financial crisis after a huge harvest in Canada flooded the market and sent prices plummeting.May 7, 2013
Minnesota's maple syrup production runneth over
Many Minnesota maple syrup producers are reporting record harvests. This season's big sap days result from the same weather that draws howls of protest from mostly elsewhere.May 3, 2013
Q&A: Debra Crusoe, new head of Minnesota's USDA Farm Service Agency
A congressional committee has chosen a long-time civil servant as executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Minnesota.May 2, 2013
Minn. farmers waiting to start field work
Despite the sudden warm weather, Minnesota farmers are still waiting for the chance to get into their fields.April 30, 2013
Q&A: How women are taking a leadership role in agriculture
Leigh Adcock, director of Women Food and Agriculture Netork talks about the changing role of women in farmingApril 28, 2013
For corn, fickle weather makes for uncertain yields
It's almost the end of April, which is prime time to plant corn. But farmers need the snow to thaw or a break in the rain so they can get this year's crops in the ground and try to lock in good yields at harvest.April 25, 2013
Soil moisture recharges between frosts
Minnesota's farmers got little fieldwork accomplished this past week as winter continues to resist surrendering to spring.April 22, 2013