By Pullen s estimation, about half an inch of rain has fallen in his fields since June - not enough to do much of anything for his 275 head of Angus cows. Due to the lack of rainfall, grazing lands are already depleted, causing local farmers to use hay harvests that normally would be used in winter. In a good year, one with ample rain, his cows grazed out to pasture on his 700 acres through late autumn, but not this summer. An extreme shortage of rain has prevented it from growing much...

The agency is recommending the rivers be designated as impaired the first time the state has recommended that designation because of pesticide contamination. The MPCA said portions of the Blue Earth and Le Sueur rivers, a ditch that empties into the Cobb River, a river in Carver County and the middle branch of the Whitewater River in southeastern Minnesota contain acetochlor, used to control weeds in corn crops. Marvin Hora, manager of the water assessment section at the MPCA, said the...

Prices updated daily at market closing. The form includes contest rules and cultural background information necessary for each entry. Of special importance is the large percentage of first-time contestants, Starbuck added. The numbers should increase significantly by the final deadline Aug. That means the number of growers who enter could be the highest ever. However, each field entered must be classed in only one production category. No-till irrigated, ridge-till irrigated and irrigated...

email to a friend printable version discuss in the forums upload new photos for this story (0) comments on this article (add yours ->) MORE RELATED TOPICS Wheat Corn Soybeans Pork Agriculture Jul 17 2007 3:24PM Associated Press Corn and soybean prices lead declines on Chicago Board of Trade Eds: Contains livestock prices. Corn and soybean prices lead declines on Chicago Board of Trade. email to a friend printable version discuss in the forums upload new photos for this story (0) comments...

Holding knife parallel to far side of the fruit, and starting at edge of rind, cut a horizontal line through the fruit all the way across to the rind. Talk about a slice of summer: While you can buy melons at any supermarket in the city, a few rustic stands along winding rural roads and highways still sell them on the honor system. Always wash melons in warm soapy water before cutting to get rid of any impurity on the rind that could be carried from the knife blade to the flesh. Next, turn...