Agriculture

By David Bau,
ag business management educator, University of Minnesota Extension
Ag land rental rates have reached record levels in 2009. Record farm prices last year, high farmer incomes and continued increases in land values have all pushed up cropland rental rates.

Minnesota's sunflower growers have elected a five-member board of directors to oversee their newly established research and promotion council.

Farmers markets have been increasing in popularity over recent years driven by consumer interest to buy and eat healthy fresh foods. Why do people go to farmers markets?

Now is an excellent time to be controlling Canada thistles. It is important to clip or apply herbicides to Canada thistle before they flower and produce more seed.

Citing the importance of animal traceability in responding to food safety threats and livestock disease outbreaks, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson and Minnesota State Veterinarian Dr.

Minnesota hog producers had an inventory of 7.4 million hogs and pigs on June 1, 2009, down 1 percent from last year but up 1 percent from the March figure, according to the U.S.

Prices received by Minnesota farmers for soybeans for June averaged $11.70 per bushel, an increase of $1.20 from the May price according to the USDA, NASS, Minnesota Field Office.

Warm weather and timely rains promoted crop progress across much of the
state, according to the NASS Minnesota Field Office. Crop growth and

The Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau recognize 114 Minnesota farms as 2009 Century Farms.

By Krishona Martinson,
equine specialist, University of Minnesota Extension
Recently, there has been significant interest in the sugar content of forage grasses. Pasture‐induced laminitis (founder) can be triggered when susceptible horses ingest high amounts of sugar or fructans that are naturally found in forage species commonly grown in Minnesota.