Welge says higher prices for crude oil, along with strong demand for the product, have pushed diesel prices upward this spring to an average of nearly $3 gallon. While motorists grumble about higher prices for gasoline, VanderWal and tens of thousands of other farmers across the nation are burning equally expensive diesel fuel to get their crops in the ground. The supply and demand situation has been affected, too, by new federal environmental regulations that require refineries to make...

They are considered more market-oriented than subsidies pegged to commodity prices, because farmers don't have to grow a particular crop - or any crop at all - to get the fixed payments. The rest of the fixed payments would be given to farmers in the form of vouchers to buy crop insurance or to invest in special accounts, under the Iowa group's plan. Ron Heck, a Perry farmer who is a leader of the soybean group, said the fixed payments don't help farmers that much because the money gets...

Thanks to recent rains, corn, cotton and wheat crops throughout the state are developing well in their respective growing areas, according to Extension reports. But corn, sorghum, cotton, potatoes and spring vegetables are all making good progress in southwestern Texas, Pena said, even though corn and sorghum seem to be progressing more slowly than usual. While some damage from recent hail, tornados and flooding was reported, crops and livestock grazing generally got a welcome boost from...

Push carrots to edge of sheet and place meat in center skin side up. Toss broccoli with 2 teaspoons oil, salt & pepper, put on baking sheet with carrots, continue roasting, tossing vegetables once, until meat is done. On rimmed baking sheet, toss carrots with 1 teaspoon oil, season with salt & pepper. broccoli, cut into bite size pieces Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Transfer meat to cutting board, tent loosely with foil, let rest 5 minutes before slicing & serve with vegetables. Coat top of...

usDiggRedditYahooMyWebGoogle What's this? Print Email TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? The ethanol-driven surge in corn prices has been a windfall for many, but wary farmers and agriculture-based businesses worry about the higher costs of fuel, livestock feed and land - as well as the ever-present vagaries of nature. usDiggRedditYahooMyWebGoogle What's this? Print Email TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? The ethanol-driven surge in corn prices has been a windfall for many, but wary farmers and agriculture-based...

Congress is crafting the 2007 farm bill, legislation with the potential to force fundamental changes in the way farmers and ranchers conduct business. He needed help to pay for feed, but by the time the federal government came through, the cattle were not only fed, but shipped to packing plants and their beef was already for sale. Although he's trying to get the rest of his spring crop planted, you won't hear any under-his-breath complaints about the muddy fields created by Thursday's...