http://www.thelandonline.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:06:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_262164649.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_262164649.html For producers who incur losses to their 2008 corn and soybean crop, the upgraded levels of Federal Crop Insurance that were purchased last March are likely to pay big dividends this fall. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:06:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_253153917.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_253153917.html One new program included in the 2008 farm bill is the Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance Program, or so-called “permanent disaster” program, which is being initiated for the 2008 crop year. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:08:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_214110407.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_214110407.html The Farmfest forum schedule for 2008 has an emphasis on national and state agriculture policy issues and toward strengthening the rural economy in Minnesota. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:01:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_211140349.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_211140349.html Well, the aphids are definitely here. If you haven’t checked your fields to determine not only whether or not you have aphids but also what population levels are out there it would be worth your effort. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:13:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_206122532.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_206122532.html Several consultants have reported threshold numbers in fields that typically have early aphid populations (e. g. fields near rivers, creeks, lakes and other areas with buckthorn concentration) in south central, southwest and west central Minnesota. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:05:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_205163901.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_205163901.html In last issue’s Farm Programs column, we covered some common questions regarding the “Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.” This week we answer additional questions about what is more commonly referred to as the new farm bill. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:07:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_183172434.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_183172434.html The “Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008,” which is more commonly known as the new farm bill, is now law. Here are some some common questions about it. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:04:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_170173920.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_170173920.html The Conservation Reserve Program was originally established in the 1985 farm bill, and today has over 400,000 landowners participating, most of who are farmers and ranchers, and involves nearly 35 million acres under some type of CRP contract. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:04:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_150152414.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_150152414.html The fact that a farm bill is so encompassing, ranging from commodity to nutrition programs, from conservation to trade programs, from rural development to renewable energy programs, etc., helps garner a wide range of support for most farm bills. Fri, 09 May 2008 03:05:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_123102156.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_123102156.html It now appears that Congress may be getting closer to reaching resolution on some of the key funding issues, which could lead to a compromise, and the ultimate passage of a new farm bill by Congress. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:05:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_102100728.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_102100728.html Due to the high cost of investment in farm machinery, an ever-increasing number of farmers are hiring other farmers to provide some or all of their operation’s machinery resources. This is especially true with new and younger farmers, and with children who decide to start farming with their parents. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:05:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_087122530.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_087122530.html Late in 2007, Congress passed a resolution extending funding for the 2002 farm bill through March 15. Congress still has not been able to finalize an agreement on a new farm bill, and has passed another extension of the 2002 farm bill through April 18. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:20:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_073120939.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_073120939.html U.S. agricultural commodities look strong for 2008 and for 2009, but by 2010 the commodity market could be dicey. A potential culprit in this reversing economic outlook might be Conservation Reserve Program land converted back to crop production. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:19:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_073120743.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_073120743.html "There are limits as to how much you can ‘pre buy’ to minimize your tax consequences. Beware of the combined tax brackets (federal, Minnesota and self-employment) and manage your taxable income by managing your yearly purchases and sales." Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:11:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_059104745.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_crop/local_story_059104745.html Farmers need all the help we can get to meet global demand for food, feed, fiber and fuel. Modern science gives us confidence, but global politics makes us queasy.