But wheat and barley income in recent years has fallen short of those benchmarks. The situation can be blamed primarily on scab, which has decimated the region's small grains crops from 1993-97. That's why solving the disease should be viewed as one of the most important solutions needed, says Tim Dufault, MAWG president. At the state level, lawmakers should consider an emergency disaster program to augment federal crop insurance policies, reducing propery taxes, buying down interest rates or offering reduced state-guaranteed operating loans. Heartland Capital Funding, Inc., Prior Lake, MN, is one of several financial companies that will buy all or a portion of a farmer's remaining transition payments contracted under the 1996 Farm Bill.
Farmers receive cash up front from their transition payment schedule, but at a discounted rate.
Growers who requested and received ballots for the proposed half-cent increase to the Minnesota wheat checkoff must vote and return the ballot by March 31. Enhance the education and customer services needed to build export and domestic sales. Adjust the 1978-era checkoff to reflect 1998 budget costs. Growers interested in learning more about organic production may wish to attend a meeting at the Northland Inn in Crookston, MN at 1 pm on Monday, March 30. Dr. Walter Goldstein of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in Wisconsin will discuss developing fertile soil, linkages between rotations, testing soils and budgeting active organic matter, and more.