Building Wealth 

By Dr. David M. Kohl

In today’s agricultural industry, many are millionaires on paper yet having difficulty earning a dollar. Lets examine this quote a little more to place some perspectives on building wealth...

Tough Talk From USDA 

By Susan Winsor

Bruce Knight, USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, didn’t mince words Tuesday in criticizing the latest farm bill...

Getting Your Financial Game Plan in Order 

By Dr. Dave Kohl

Now is the time to start getting your financial game plan in shape if you are an agricultural producer...

Corn Planting Delayed, Farm Bill Making Moves 

By Kent Thiesse

The initiation of full-scale corn planting has been delayed across most of the upper Midwest due to continued wet weather and cold soil conditions. A limited amount of corn was planted from the period of ...

Winter Wheat Crop Tour Kicks Off 

By Richard Brock

The annual winter wheat crop tour organized by the Wheat Quality Council kicks off on Monday and will wind its way across Kansas, wrapping up on Thursday...

Congress Sees Farm Bill Breakthrough 

Congressional farm bill conferees apparently have reached an agreement on a farm bill compromise – none too soon for corn and soybean growers and other farmers who need a plan to follow for this year’s production...

Planting Progress Varies 

By Kent Thiesse

There has been some limited tillage and corn planting completed in some areas of southern Minnesota from April 23 to April 25, prior to the heavy rains, wet snow and cold temperatures late last week...

The Better are Getting Better 

By Dr. Dave Kohl

My work with the farm business management instructor teams in south-central and southwest Minnesota provides an excellent source of data on progressive producers...

Global Economic Forecast 

By Dr. Dave Kohl

For the readers of this column who are invested in the red-hot grain industry, let’s go up to 100,000 ft. and explore an overview of the global economic forecast...

First Quarter 2008 in Review 

By Dr. Dave Kohl

The first quarter of 2008 is the tale of two economies. The general economy is moving into recession. The breadth and depth of the recession will be dependent upon converging events and factors...

Custom Farming Agreements 

By Kent Thiesse

An alternative to leasing farmland is a custom farming agreement. In a typical custom farming agreement, the custom operator agrees to perform all the machine operations on the owner’s land in exchange for a set fee or rate...

China's Grain Crop Forecast Higher 

By Richard Brock

China’s production of major grains may rise in 2008 due to higher yields, despite a reduction in planted area, the China National Grain and Oils Information Center (CNGOIC) said on Monday...

Short Soybean Seed Supply Increases Need For Good Planting Practices To Avoid Replanting 

Source: University of Missouri

Cool, wet soils can cause extra hazards to soybean seed being planted this spring. Caution should be taken at planting time to assure good stands, says Bill Wiebold, a University of Missouri Extension agronomist and soybean specialist...

Higher Price Of Glyphosate Herbicide Makes Pre-Emergence Chemicals Cost Competitive 

Source: University of Missouri

Rising input costs have crop farmers looking for price-competitive alternatives, says Kevin Bradley, a University of Missouri Extension weed scientist...

Bubbles and Funny Money 

By Dr. Dave Kohl

Money floats around the world attempting to find a place to get lost. This excess investor money is looking for a quick buck and now it is being parked in commodity markets for gold, platinum, wheat, corn, beans, etc. If you have ever observed bubbles and cycles...