farmers plan to sow the most acres since World War II in response to increased demand for the grain to make alternative fuel and supply livestock feed. Farmers hope to take advantage of corn prices, which have risen 50 percent in the past year and reached a decade-high in February due to record production of ethanol, used as a substitute or additive to gasoline. April 2 (Bloomberg) -- Corn plunged by the exchange-imposed limit for a second day as U. Going through the northern hemisphere...

Hobby farmers loosely defined as those whose incomes are derived not solely from farming often bring little or no hands-on experience to their new avocation. These "ruralpolitans" are willing to invest beaucoup bucks to pay for equipment to reap and sow organic vegetables; raise niche crops, such as herbs, grass-fed beef or organic pork; shear sheep or llamas for wool production; or harvest grapes for wine. Until they purchased the farm, which includes a four-bedroom house, a...

There are various classes of cereal grains under which producers can enter, including malting barley, selected red winter wheat, hard white spring wheat and durum. Samples are inspected by both the CWB and quality experts, and judged on visual quality, end-use market suitability and crop management practices. When the CWB announced the Master Grower award winners for 2006/2007, it was a clean sweep for Saskatchewan: Paul Cherkas of Kamsack for six-row malting barley; Doug and Brenda Martin...

Department of Agriculture released its yearly report today on expected crop plantings, based on surveys of more than 86,000 farm operators across the country during the first two weeks of March. Nationwide, acreage is forecast at 44. Officials say the surge stems from increased demand for ethanol that has doubled corn prices in the last year. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Nationwide, corn plantings are expected to cover 90. Crop planting outlook...

At a meeting last week, Mistele said he asked what would happen if he had 100 acres of wheat ready to harvest and he was ordered not to take it off because somebody thought they had seen an endangered species there. The McGuinty government needs to be able to answer how its endangered species act will work before rushing the legislation through before the fall election, a London area farm leader said yesterday. The legislation will make it an offence to "kill, harm, harass, capture or take...