Uprooting Maine Potato Industry Hits Aroostook Farm Auction
In Aroostook County Maine the Wathen family sold 1482 acres of potato land in mid December after bank auction due to debt. The industry faces collapsing prices disease and competition from Canada and western states threatening hundreds of farms and regional jobs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Resque Isle
Maine
Wathen
Wathens
Aroostook
Glendon Wathen
Laurie Cothran
United States
Mike Corey
Maine Potato Board
Chip Beckwith
Aroostook County
Washington
Cothran
McCain Foods
Canada
Presque Isle
West
Iowa farmers face 1996 boom with looming financial peril
In 1996 Iowa enjoyed high corn and soybean yields with record prices that boosted profits for many farmers. Yet few had corn to sell as prices topped 5 per bushel and hedge to arrive disputes lingered. Cattle and pork sectors faced plant closures and consolidation, while policy shifts under the Freedom to Farm began phasing out supports.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Iowa
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA
Ed Wiederstein
Audubon
Iown m . Lerstein Rememigre
Congress
Louis Rich turkey plant sold to Iowa coop amid downsizing
The Louis Rich plant near Liberty faces major transitions as the Iowa Turkey Growers Cooperative purchases the facility from Oscar Mayer Foods. About 445 workers will see shifts, with many moving to new roles as the plant plans to reopen mid January after ownership changes. The co op aims to retain most salaried staff and recruit to fill vacancies, while operators navigate anxiety over new products and job responsibilities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Whazette Rural Affairs
EST Liberty
Louis Rich
Ron Erwin
Erwin
Oscar Mayer Foods
Oscar Mayer
Iowa Turkey Growers Cooperative
Kenneth Rutledge
Co-Op
Paul Hill
Ellsworth
New West Liberty Foods
Hill
Iowa growers form West Liberty Foods co op to buy Louis Rich plant
Iowa turkey growers unveil a 12.5 million financing plan backed by 2.3 million from members and a 7 million USDA loan guarantee. Oscar Mayer sells to 60 percent of production, Oscar Mayer and Lou Rich plant sale tied to Ellsworth farms and leased feed mill, Kenneth Rutledge leads marketing push.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Farmland Foods
Louis Rich
Hill
West Liberty Foods
Robert Achen
Wayland
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Oscar Mayer Foods
Co-Op
Ellsworth
Albert City Elevator Co
Kenneth Rutledge
Zacky Farms
Swift and Co
Rutledge
Be lated New Year Cow Bungee Bash in Independence
The Iowa Chapter Singles in Agriculture hosts a weekend event at the Falcon Civic Center in Independence with registration starting 6 p.m. Friday. A separate daylong risk management conference for farmers is set for Jan. 14 at 12 Iowa locations, sponsored by Iowa State University, featuring Stan Johnson Elwynn Taylor and several economists. The conference costs 20 dollars and includes lunch. register by Jan. 7 via area extension offices.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Falcon Civic Center
Independence
Judy Letchford
Iowa Communications
Iowa State
Hay and Straw Directory Published for Des Moines Farmers
The 1997 Hay and Straw Directory from the Iowa Department of Agriculture helps farmers pair needs for hay and straw with available supply. Copies are available from the Agriculture Department and for review at county Extension or Farm Services Agency offices.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines, Iowa
The
Iowa Department of Agriculture
Agriculture Department
County Extension
Farm Services Agency
Also Mentioned on This Page
Sors
Wisconsin
Idaho
Colorado
Corey
Wayne Smith
Amy Wathen
Gordon Wathen
Aily
In Review
Monfort Inc
West Liberty
Kansas City
FDL
Dubuque
Turkey
By Marlene Lucas
Growers
Norwest Agricultural Credit Inc
Washington, D.C
David Lyons
Dave Heaton
Mount Pleasant
University
Stan Johnson
Elwynn Taylor
John Miranowski
Dermot Hayes
Williams Edwards
Bruce Babcock
Robert Jolly
Neil Hart
Robert Wisner
Linn Area
Ciryune
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