There’s a line spoken by Harry Potter, the literary creation of author J.K. Rowling, in the film “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” that many in U.S. agriculture can relate to: “I don’t go looking for trouble,” the budding wizard notes, but “trouble usually finds ...
CLARE — It is a busy day on John and Susan Saathoff’s farm. Susan Saathoff is watching three does carefully, because they are in labor. The barn is cozy and dry in comparison to the mud and wind outdoors, which is good for the Toggenburg in the back stall who is really close to ...
Although the soybean and corn markets are enjoying better prices at the moment due to several factors, planting intentions could cause a swing in the other direction. Chad Hart, agriculture economist at Iowa State University Extension, said March 13 that for the past five months, corn and ...
The Mideast is a tough community. Most of the enmity is between the Jews and Muslims, but not all. There are two kinds of Muslims, the Sunnis and Shiites. They hate each other too. They are represented by Saudis and Iranians. This ingrained culture of hate goes back before Jesus Christ. They ...
The livestock markets are sitting in a good spot, economists believe, and as grilling season approaches, prices should see a “little pop.” Chad Hart, agriculture economist at Iowa State University Extension, said that the cattle market appears to be doing just fine right now, but ...
BOONE — Every spring brings great expectations for those who dig in the dirt. Fresh tomatoes, homegrown sweet corn, and long days spent in the sun. Such is the stuff that dreams of Master Gardeners are made of. Iowa State University’s Master Gardener program has raised up new gardeners ...
Winter may still have some fury left, but Todd Christeson, agronomy manager at United Co-op in Webster City, is looking forward to serving customers when the soil warms and the tractors and planters hit the fields again. After years when central Iowa has seen frequent drought conditions, ...
In a concept called farm to fashion, Iowa corn farmers are raising a crop that’s being used by global apparel brands. Last year, Qore opened its $360 million plant in Eddyville, which has been busy converting corn sugar into 1,4-butanediol (BDO), a chemical feedstock once made from coal ...
We were hundreds of miles from home, riding in the car and heading west when I had nothing better to do than inspect my wedding ring for cleanliness and flaws. I was sure my husband would prefer that to my examining him for the same things. And I was glad he was driving so he couldn’t do ...
A reader recently emailed me, saying that they were distressed about how modern dairies operate. I replied with some insights gleaned from my six decades’ worth of dairy experience. The majority of America’s dairy cows live in confinement facilities. The cows remain indoors from time they ...
