 |
|
Audio | Forum Schedule | MPR Forum Discussion | Their Stories
MANY FARMERS IN MINNESOTA didn't approach spring
with their usual enthusiasm. When the seeds were sewn this year, they were planting
a crop sure to lose money.Agriculture commodity prices are at some of the lowest levels in the past 50 years. According to the Minnesota Extension Service, independent hog farmers that are not selling hogs under contract have been losing $30 to $60 per hog.
Many grain farmers are using commodity prices that are lower than their cost of production for 1999 cash flow projections.
Downturns in agriculture commodity prices are relatively short term. But, the
extension service says, there are no indicators in the current grain and livestock
market situations that suggest the current low commodity prices are short-term.
The Minnesota Citizens' Forums looked at the situation. The Minnesota Citizens' Forum is an ongoing citizen-involvement initiative of Minnesota Public Radio, KTCA-TV and the Star-Tribune, and is partnered with the University of Minnesota Journalism Center.
| Stories |
A Year of Woe
There are signs that the crisis in agriculture eased a bit the past year but farmers anticipate more tough times in the year 2000. Despite a pledge to end farm subsidies, federal government props in the form of emergency aid appear to be the only thing keeping many Minnesota farmers in business. The political arena will be a major focus for farmers, but they'll also be keeping an eye on the weather.
December 27, 1999
Read
|
Listen
Never the Same
When
prices collapsed a year ago some farmers began selling hogs and processed meat
directly to consumers in hopes of getting a better price. The market has
recovered a little this year but prices are still below the break even point.
Some farmers wonder if hogs will ever again be the profit center they were a few
years ago.
November 5, 1999
Read
|
Listen
Bankers Onboard
Members of Congress are starting to hear from a sector in the agriculture
business they haven't heard much from before -- bankers. For the first time a
task force of the American Bankers Association is taking a position on ag policy
and recommending solutions to permanently lift farmers out of financial crisis
mode.
November 4, 1999
Read
|
Listen
The Farmer as Tenant
A survey of farmers in Swift County in west-central Minnesota shows that agriculture is rapidly becoming a landlord-tenant system rather than the familiar independent family farm. That trend has accelerated as farmers' economic problems intensify.
September 22, 1999
Read
|
Listen
Farm Aid Kicks Off Week of Lobbying
In Washington, farmers from around the United States will push Congress for emergency assistance and other legislative solutions to agriculture problems. The annual Farm Aid concert yesterday in Bristow, Virginia - near Washington - kicked off several days of lobbying by farmers who say basic changes must be made in government farm programs. Among those in Washington are some 30 Minnesota farmers.
September 13, 1999
Read
|
Listen
Is It Really A Crisis?
In what could be a first-in-the-nation attempt, federal officials may ask that Minnesota be declared a farm economic-disaster area.
September 2, 1999
Read
|
Listen
How to Keep 'em on the Farm
Minnesota Senators Paul Wellstone and Rod Grams appeared together to discuss the state's farm crisis. The two participated in the final Minnesota Citizens' Forum where they were joined by representatives of the Ventura administration.
August 31, 1999
Read
|
Listen
Rally for the Farm
About 700 farmers gathered in Waconia this weekend for "Rural Crisis Accountability
Day." The rally gave agriculture and labor officials - along with politicians
and clergy - a chance to air potential solutions for the current crisis in agriculture.
August 23, 1999
Read
|
Listen
The Unseen Farm Crisis
Politicians have been popping up in rural Minnesota like weeds, looking for ideas
and backing for their farm proposals, but Congress is unlikely to make significant
changes without support from folks in town - and this farm crisis isn't translating
well in the city. August 19, 1999
Listen
| Read
Not Buying It
Farmers have finally received some good news as the U.S. Senate agreed on a $7
billion farm-relief package. As this year's Farmfest wraps up near Redwood Falls,
many of those walking the long rows of machinery doubted the federal aid will
be of much help. August 5, 1999
Listen
| Read
No Agreement
The heads of competing farm organizations can't agree on how to solve the farm
crisis. And farmers at Farmfest say they're not hearing anything they didn't already
know. August 4, 1999
Listen
| Read
The Wasted Spring
Thief River Falls farmers talk about the disasterous planting season. July
1, 1999
Listen
| Read
| The Forums June - September 1999 |
The Minnesota Citizens' Forum, sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio, the Star-Tribune of Minneapolis and KTCA-TV, provides a vehicle for people to engage in a discussion of public issues. Through these forums, reporters and editors were able to focus candidates during 1998 on issues that are most important to our listeners, viewers, and readers. With the Ventura administration underway, the Minnesota Citizens Forum will allow elected officials to stay in touch with the opinions of the voters.
See information about MPR's Civic Journalism Initiative.
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy RightsRadio Listening : News & Features : Events Calendar : Your Voice : About Us