An international strategist who studies global mergers says megamergers between giants turn out like bad marriages instead of sound business deals.

Kansas State University James Mintert expects cash hog prices in the benchmark Iowa-southern Minnesota market this year to average in the low $40s per hundredweight.

Wireworm, white grub and seed corn maggot are known as secondary insects only because the total economic damage caused by them is low. In some cases, any one of those insects can become a field’s primary pest.

In this week’s commentary, Editor Susan Crowell issues a call to action to fair officials before the upcoming fair season.

The herbicide atrazine isn’t causing groundwater pollution, but its effect on surface water is another question.

David Kohn, professor of farm management/ag economics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, offers a few tips to assist in economic belt tightening.

Harold Benich of Albion, Pa., has build a diesel powered motorcycle from genuine Harley-Davidson parts and a diesel engine scrapped from an old Miller welder. It smells like French-fried potatoes, and sounds like a tractor.

Brad Baker, class of ’89, was the guest speaker at the West Branch FFA Awards Banquet April 19, which also recognized West Branch graduate and now ag education teacher Greg Sharp as its Honorary Chapter Farmer.

Herman Beck-Chenoweth will conduct a hands-on course May 10-12 at his research farm in Creola.

The president and chief executive officer for Farm Credit Services of Mid-America writes to refute an Alan Guebert column.