1. Obama and McCain lie fallow on farms

Oct 9, 2008      Courier Press

Democrat Obama and Republican McCain did take time to answer questions from the American Farm Bureau, an industry and lobbying group for agricultural producers. From Arizona, McCain opposes farm subsidies and wants reform. Cutting back on fertilizer and pesticide, planting winter cover crops and introducing more diversity into farms could also pay off for producers, Halweil said. more...

2. Iowa ag groups tread carefully on McCain-Obama

Oct 28, 2008      The Gazette - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

He said the group is limiting its role to explaining the differences between the candidate positions. That's pretty much been the case for the Iowa Farm Bureau. Supports crop revenue insurance program and voted for the 2008 Farm Bill. Supports trade compliance." Few if any presidential polls focus on how farmers plan to vote in the race. more...

3. Deadline nearing for crop insurance for most fruits

Oct 28, 2008      Watertown Daily Times

...-- The state Department of Agriculture and Markets reminds farmers that the deadline for obtaining or changing crop insurance for apples, berries, grapes and peaches is Nov. 20. The department will have workshops on crop insurance and the effects of changes in the federal Farm Bill on producers' eligibility for disaster assistance. Workshops are about two hours, sponsored by the department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency. For more information, see... more...

4. Farmers slog through long, late harvesting

Oct 28, 2008      Agweek

Soybean harvest was 76 percent, only 7 percent behind average. Winter wheat was 93 percent seeded, with some farmers waiting to finish until after row crop harvest. The Tweets raise 350 acres each of corn and soybeans, each. more...