Prairie Shortcuts

Free CDs to Offer Tech, Ag Info
The Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council, Syngenta, and Northland Community and Technical College are putting together CD-ROMs at no charge to producers. The CD information will include: Internet application skills, commodity marketing information, the University of Minnesota Small Grains Production Guide and tutorials on how to use the Toolshed Ag Information Network.

The MWRPC created “Toolshed” as a system for ag-based information over the Internet. It includes regional ag news and weather information, futures and local market prices, basis charts, Red River Farm Network radio broadcasts and archives, commodity marketing Q&As, LDP information, and industry contacts.

Producers may request a free CD by logging on to Toolshed, available on the following web sites:

•  Minnesota Wheat: www.smallgrains.org

•  Red River Farm Network: www.rrfn.com

•  Agriculture Utilization Resource Institute: www.auri.org

•  Gentle Max: www.gentlemax.com

•  KZZY - Devils Lake: www.zzcountry. com

•  KRJB - Ada: krjb.outbackpc.net

•  Northwest Grain: www.northwest grain.com

•  Alton Grain Terminal: www.halstad elevator.com

Businesses and organizations can receive a free web site as well as print and online advertising opportunities by becoming a part of the Toolshed Ag Information Network. For more information, contact program director Tara Dagman, ph.1-800-242-6118, email tdagman@gvtel.com.

Valley Producer Financial Adjustment Strategies
Postponing machinery purchases was the most frequent financial adjustment Red River Valley farmers used from 1994-98 to cope with economic and production challenges. Other adjustments included reducing family living and other nonfarm expenses, reducing operating expenses by hiring custom operators and investing in off-farm value-added ventures, according to a newly released University of Minnesota study by economists Glenn Pederson and William Lazarus.

The study is based on survey responses from 185 crop farmers in northwestern MN and northeastern ND in 1999. Among other study highlights:

•  Off-farm employment opportunities are a significant factor in improving farm survival in the Red River Valley region.

•  Over half of the farmers who responded had re-negotiated their land rental agreement during 1994-98. In addition, 20% of the farmers had gone through a loan reamortization, a debt deferral or a general financial restructuring and about 20% had received an emergency loan at one time during the period.

•  Many farmers said they typically sell grain without a contract (wait until after harvest to price their grain). About 49 percent of the 1998 grain crop was marketed without a contract.

The study, “Farm Sustainability and Survival in Minnesota’s Red River Valley,” is available online at agecon.lib.umn.edu/mn/p00-05.pdf

New List Serve For Corn And Soybean Info
A new list serve for area corn and soybean producers, consultants and agronomists has been developed, according to Denise McWilliams, NDSU/UM Extension crop production specialist. The discussion group, called “2 x 2 Talk,” allows you to be an active participant, or to simply eavesdrop on emerging information, which will vary based on seasonal topics and new issues. To join in the discussion or to review the activity, go to www.topica.com/lists/cornbean and sign up on the “Corn and Soybeans (CornBean)” list serve by clicking on the “join this list” button. Once you have signed up, you will automatically receive the information by email.