USDA’s ‘mad cow’ circus act
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.
Cork the bubbly: 2005 won’t be 2004
When bidding my first, large freelance writing job decades ago, I telephoned an experienced friend for guidance.
More dollars and less conservation
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.
A life of simple living and giving
(Author's note: The following column was first published the week of Christmas 1994. Now, by tradition, it returns.
Johanns’ confirmation is easy; it’s everything else that will be hard
A few days after his presidential nomination to replace Ann Veneman as secretary of agriculture, Nebraska Gov.
Even without WTO free trade deal, U.S. ag export surplus evaporates
For nearly two years, U.S. farmers and ranchers watched as the second shoe grew bigger and bigger.
On Nov.
Confessions of an errant cow milker
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.
Getting the worst job in Washington
Even before Ann Veneman quietly submitted her resignation as secretary of agriculture Nov. 12, the Washington grapevine hung heavy with a long list of likely replacements.
Political wisdom for the heartland
The first political wisdom ever sent my way came from the gravelly throat of Everett Dirksen.
During Dirksen's 1968 reelection stop in my southern Illinois hometown, I asked the white-maned Senate Minority Leader how he'd outflank Mayor Daley's Chicago vote machine.
Big GOP win: Tough ag fights ahead
Just before midnight Nov. 2, the empty Guinness cans in my kitchen sink rattled.
Two (of the three; there would be more later) fell.
