By tradition, an outgoing president leaves just one item – a letter to the incoming president – on the Oval Office desk when departing the White House for the final time.

No American group has more to lose in Social Security reform than farmers, ranchers and other rural dwellers, according to USDA demographic and income data.

After spending the last four years marrying the U.S. cattle market to Canada’s cattle market – the new family’s name is “the integrated North American beef market” – the USDA is now saddled with its handiwork.

The only thing worse than the USDA’s timing in the announcement of new rules to permit Canadian live cattle and cow beef imports into the U.

When bidding my first, large freelance writing job decades ago, I telephoned an experienced friend for guidance.

There is no shortage of American grain; current cash prices prove it.
Corn is marking time at $2, wheat hangs just above $3 and soybeans, at $5.

(Author’s note: The following column was first published the week of Christmas 1994. Now, by tradition, it returns.

A few days after his presidential nomination to replace Ann Veneman as secretary of agriculture, Nebraska Gov.

For nearly two years, U.S. farmers and ranchers watched as the second shoe grew bigger and bigger.
On Nov.

Based on the e-mails, brickbats and live grenades sent me the last few weeks, it’s time to come clean: I kidnapped the Lindbergh baby.