The Lowell resident still has deeds that list the purchase of 240 acres for $1. So he is intimately familiar with the history of the area and what makes the land special. The most popular crops are corn, soybeans and wheat. The ethanol production boom has boosted prices to close to $4 a bushel. Bryant said the soil isn't as fertile as farms in central Indiana, but it's pretty good soil. A single crop is making farm land all over the country more valuable this spring: corn. The initial...

Corn prices have doubled since last fall due to explosive growth of the ethanol industry, driving up costs for cattle, dairy, hog and poultry producers. Based on a survey of 86,000 farmers earlier this month, the Agriculture Department projected corn plantings of 90. Even with record output, this year's corn crop could sell for a record US$3. Other analysts said huge plantings would benefit seed and herbicide companies and food processors too. Corn is the dominant feedstock for the 114...

The figures are based on inquiries regarding planting intentions made of more than 86,000 farmers during the first two weeks of March. The USDA says farmers are switching over from soybeans, cotton and rice. Experts say that figure could increase dramatically this year because of the jump in demand. The Agriculture Department says corn planting will rise 15 percent this year over last to more than 90 million acres. If people have got it planted, that's perfect timing. Travis Miller,...

Bullish expectations prompted by Friday s US Department of Agriculture s planting intentions for corn and soybean encouraged speculative buying and some short-covering interests. The Chicago Board of Trade soybean oil futures prices eased on softer corn prices in early trading last week and then rebounded strongly on the strength of crude oil before ending sharply higher at their life-of-contract highs. Traders expect the US Department of Agriculture to forecast lower US soybean plantings...

printer friendly version email this page to a friend by Leanna Skarnulis Farmer Tony Madone, 53, can only imagine the smiles on peoples faces when they discover sweet corn, acorn squash, cabbage and other farm-fresh produce at food banks and soup kitchens in and around Salida, Colo. printer friendly version email this page to a friend by Leanna Skarnulis Farmer Tony Madone, 53, can only imagine the smiles on peoples faces when they discover sweet corn, acorn squash, cabbage and other...

But in comments submitted this week to the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the USA Rice Federation says rice producers cannot risk the loss of foreign markets that are spooked by the possibility genetically modified rice could be mixed with edible rice. rice industry wants the federal government to reject a plan to grow genetically modified rice in Kansas, saying the country's rice growers would suffer "financial devastation" if modified crops contaminate the commercial...