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Agribusiness

Future of industry hinges on striking on right balance

The beef industry is facing challenging times with high demand and low supply — increases in price and a reduction in cattle inventory. The future though might also be challenging with a need to stay relevant but still evolve with consumer demand and money-conscious or streamlined pricing as well as maintaining supply. The biggest factor for keeping the beef industry progressive though could lie in the usage of technology. “There are many things technology is helping the beef industry do,” said Greg Stuefen, a local cattlemens/cow calf producer. “From feeds and minerals ...

Selling fresh vegetables pays off for Comfrey grower

He doesn’t travel to as many places as he did years ago, but Darrell Platz of rural Comfrey still brings a good selection of fresh vegetables to the New Ulm Farmers Market two times a week. A good share of the farmers market attendees can be found looking at his produce that includes ...

AI reshaping agriculture

Moderating a recent Farmfest Forum on how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping agriculture, West Central Minnesota farmer Zach Johnson said AI interests just about every-one in agriculture at least a little bit. “It’s like the internet was 20-25 years ago. It’s going to take everyone using it to the next level. I’m sure some great things will come from it and there will be challenges,” said Johnson, known as the Millenial Farmer with more than a million followers on the YouTube Channel “Millennial Farmer.” He said he’s seen autonomous technology that allows ...

Weekend storm is mixed bag

BROWN COUNTY — Rainfall of six inches or more in the Marshall area Aug. 15-17 compared to about an inch around Lake Benton pleased some farmers and created Cottonwod River flooding in other places. “We got adequate rain. We’re in the garden spot right now. We got a few tenths of an inch of rain at a time,” said Lake Benton corn and soybean farmer Bob Worth. “A few miles east of us, near Balaton and Marshall, they got lots more rain in those three days. We’re getting near September. We don’t have too many drying days left. A poorly tiled piece of ground will be wet for a ...

‘I told him we didn’t support his tariffs’

GILFILLAN ESTATE — A panel of agricultural leaders and government officials spoke at a Farmfest Forum Wednesday about how to deal with the trade deficit and what it means to America and the world. American Farm Bureau President “Zippy” Duvall said he recently talked to President Donald ...

U.S. Ag official touts ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

GILFILLAN ESTATE — Federal politicians discussed agricultural policy with passion at times in front of a large Farmfest Forum crowd Tuesday. Newly appointed U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden talked glowingly about the Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law July 4 containing ...