AG

Senate to take up farm bill in May

WASHINGTON — Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said Saturday that she plans to hold a markup of a new farm bill in May, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., signaled that he intends to bring it to the Senate floor that same month.

By Jerry Hagstrom , May 03, 2013

Not all DSU ag majors are geared to 'cows and plows'

The idea that agriculture majors at Dickinson State University will lead students back to farms and ranches isn’t right, said Chip Poland, chair of DSU’s Department of Agriculture and Technical Studies.

By Betsy Simon , May 03, 2013

Ag degree equals options

When Matthew Ruland was growing up in Ross, he would wonder why his family performed particular tasks on their ranch. Commonly, he said, the responses were simple: “Because” and “That’s the way it’s always been done.” Then, Ruland, who owns a ranch, came to Dickinson State University for an agriculture studies degree with an integrated ranch management option, which he will receive next week when he graduates. “My degree has given me a reason why the old-timers would say, ‘Because this is what has to be done,’” he said. “The classes I’ve taken have covered the entire agricultural industry, from sales and service to animal science to economics. It has really helped me learn a lot of new methods, opinions and ways to operate that I can take home and make things a lot easier on myself.”

By Betsy Simon , May 03, 2013

China gets a taste of North Dakota: Traveling teams visits East for sales, education function

FARGO — China got a little taste of North Dakota this month when companies and organizations from the state traveled there to demonstrate how foods grown here can be incorporated into Chinese food products.

By J. Shane Mercer , March 27, 2013

USDA: Wheat prices down in North Dakota

BISMARCK — The U.S. Agriculture Department said preliminary spring wheat prices in North Dakota are down 70 percent in February from the previous month.

March 01, 2013

More neglected horses seized in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Authorities in Burleigh County seized 38 horses from a man on the same day officials in neighboring Morton County took 119 horses away from him.

January 30, 2013

Owner says horse assaulted: Man offers reward for arrest in case

A horse on a farm east of Dickinson was recovering Friday from an apparent sexual assault, an illegal act ranchers suggest happens all too often in this area but rarely gets reported.

By Katherine Grandstrand , January 26, 2013

Swanson: 'It's not about you'

With farmland prices reaching crazy-high prices mixed with ultra-low interest rates, agricultural producers’ heads might be spinning.

By Betsy Simon , January 18, 2013

Extension vote on farm bill by Congress bad step for ag?

GRAND FORKS — Farm group leaders are upset that Congress extended the current U.S. farm bill instead of passing a new one.

By Jonathan Knutson , January 03, 2013

Lenders to foreclose on North Dakota beef plant

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Officials with North Dakota Natural Beef LLC say lenders have notified the company that they intend to foreclose on its closed meat processing plant in Fargo.

December 24, 2012

Beef on the auction block; sale outlook positive

All indicators from local cattle handlers are that bull sales, which were good this year, will continue into the new year.

By Betsy Simon , December 07, 2012

Dog attacks leave rural Dickinson calves injured

After rural Dickinson rancher Delmar Ficek opened a gate to the outside world Wednesday afternoon, one of his calves scurried on three legs out of a shed where it had been resting.

By Bryan Horwath , December 06, 2012

Harvesting of crops in N. Dakota nearly complete

BISMARCK (AP) — Favorable weather conditions have allowed farmers and ranchers in North Dakota to complete most harvesting activities.

November 19, 2012

Semitrailer crash in North Dakota kills 21 steers

DAWSON, N.D. (AP) — Twenty-one steers were killed when a semitrailer bound from Canada to South Dakota crashed during a freezing rain storm in North Dakota.

November 12, 2012

North Dakota cattle taking hold in Kazakhstan

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A state trade official says North Dakota-bred cattle are successfully taking root in a former Soviet republic but many of Kazakhstan's cowboys are still greenhorns.

October 30, 2012