Agriculture

5 things you should know about the genetically modified food you’re probably eating

Jeremy Bernfeld — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:24:16 +0000

Would you feed your family genetically modified food? Chances are, you already have.

On Thursday's Central Standard, the science behind genetically modified (GMO) and genetically engineered (GE) food.

Conservation acres harder to come by

Amy Mayer — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:44:31 +0000

At a basin in central Iowa’s Onion Creek Watershed, Sean McCoy pulls a state truck up near a brand-new wetland. It looks like a construction zone, with lots of bare earth.

Mo. lawmakers pass farm constitutional amendment

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:42:45 +0000

The Missouri House and Senate have passed a proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee farmers and ranchers the right to farm and ranch using "modern methods."

Field Notes: Marking the fifth anniversary of the Postville, Iowa raid

Abbie Fentress Swanson — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:20:29 +0000

This is the latest installment of Harvest Public Media’s Field Notes, in which reporters talk to newsmakers and experts about important issues related to food production.

It's tough going right now for Missouri, Illinois corn growers

Maria Altman — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:51:39 +0000

Farmers in Missouri, Illinois and much of the Midwest are having a tough time getting their corn planted.

The US Department of Agriculture says in Illinois just 7 percent of the corn crop is in the ground; while in Missouri it’s 22 percent.

Usually, nearly half of the nation’s corn has been planted by this time.

The National Corn Growers Association vice president Paul Bertels says it’s not just the rain that’s been a problem.

Who Paid For Last Summer's Drought? You Did

Daniel Charles — Wed, 01 May 2013 22:29:00 +0000

Say the words "crop insurance" and most people start to yawn. For years, few nonfarmers knew much about these government-subsidized insurance policies, and even fewer found any fault with them.

Tiny variations the key to better wheat at MU research farm [video]

Cade Cleavelin — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:36:43 +0000

At MU's Bradford Research and Extension Center, researchers are testing thousands of genetically unique variations of wheat. They'll ultimately insert the best of them into the market as more productive, profitable wheat varieties.

Field Notes: 'The Midwest Farmer's Daughter'

Abbie Fentress Swanson and Bill Wheelhouse — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:52:32 +0000

This is the latest installment of Harvest Public Media’s Field Notes, in which reporters talk to newsmakers and experts about important issues related to food production.

Potato industry banks on 'Linda'

Luke Runyon — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:37:22 +0000

At a Fort Collins, Colo., grocery store, Kristin Mastre paused for a minute in front a large bin of Russet and red potatoes. She picked out a few handfuls and continued on, her two boys, Carter, 4, and Logan, 7, in tow.

This little piggy has a market niche

Amy Mayer — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:59:54 +0000

There’s more than one way to sell a pig.

And when the hog market plunged to 8 cents a pound in 1998, Iowa producer Randy Hilleman decided it was time to make a change. Hilleman raises Berkshire pigs, a breed that’s fattier than traditional pigs and costs a little more to raise. Back then, that was hurting him.