ISSUE DATE: 12/20/2010
 By Doug Rich
There is something that agriculture needs just as much as drought-tolerant corn or auto steering in tractors: It needs young farmers and ranchers. The average age of farmers in the U.S. is 57 and that number is not going down
"We are losing rural population and when we lose population we are losing a huge number of kids from 0 to 18 years of age," said Weldon Sleight, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. "Cherry County, Neb., the biggest cow-calf county in the U.S., lost 416 students in 9 years--that is like losing a good-sized high school."
It is difficult to get started in farming or ranching even if a person is lucky enough to inherit the land and equipment. But, what would it cost to start an average-sized diversified farm from scratch?
NEWS
Acidified food workshop to be held in Columbia
AFBF supports tax cut extensions
Ag Enhancement and Diversification loan deadline approaches
CFB honors Young Farmers and Ranchers
Couple wins Excellence in Agriculture Award
Ellsworth Community College ag program receives national award
Farm Bureau presents awards
IFBF hosts successful annual meeting
IFBF re-elects Hill as vice president
Kansas prepares for 20th anniversary class of KARL
Keep America Beautiful and USDA Team Up to Grow Nearly 700 People’s Gardens
Landowners sue Ellis County over wind farm zoning
Legislative Action Day is Jan. 19
Make time for year-end tax strategies
Man admits not paying $4.8 million in taxes
Master Marketer Program scheduled
OSU names Professor of the Year
Prepare for cuts as next farm bill is debated
Stabenow to chair agriculture panel
Vilsack comments on food safety bill
Wanted: Young farmers and ranchers
Year-end tax planning important for producers
Year-end tax tips
Young farmer wins Excellence in Ag Award
Young Farmers and Ranchers to host leadership conference
CROPS
Asian trade team shows interest in soybeans, corn
Canola U: Getting better wheat yields using winter canola
Funding available for organic producers
Grant will help UW improve organic crop production
Grants help farmers improve rural environmental quality, energy efficiency
Groups collaborate to recognize conservation efforts
IMP journal launches
MGGA elects new officers and sets policy direction for 2011
NCC leadership delegation concludes successful China visit
NRCS offers assistance for air quality improvement
NRCS soil survey is helpful tool
OGI settles PVP violation case
Pecan crops show hickory shuckworm damage
Predatory bugs can save cornfields
Repair compaction-damaged fields
Research suggests hosta virus survives in soil
Resistant pigweed, prices to drive cotton in 2011
Staples announces $1.8 million in crop grants
U of A offers new cotton variety
USDA issues ACRE program payments for various commodities
USDA report shows tight supplies of corn, cotton and soybeans
Winter grain mites found in wheat fields
LIVESTOCK
$20 million gift aimed at rural Nebraska's future
All cattle sell on grids, says buyer
American Royal names Petersen as president
Animal welfare coverage affects meat demand
ARS discovers how FMD virus begins infection in cattle
ASA elects new board
Aspen Skiing buying locally raised, grass-fed beef
Bison herd expansion under way
Borlaug Institute helping beef up Ecuador's cattle industry
Branded Products Promotion Program begins new fiscal year
Brucellosis confirmed in Park County cows
Cattle firm may face involuntary bankruptcy
Cattle inventory expected to decline in 2011
Dates for 2011 American Royal livestock show announced
Greeley County voters to decide on major hog farms
Incoming House Ag chair makes oversight a priority
NCBA supports end to ethanol subsidies
Ranchers concerned about brucellosis help
Show-Me-Select heifers set records at Palmyra sale
Student earns awards from NJAA
Student earns NJAA Bronze and Silver awards
Teens arrested in calf thefts
Texas A&M to host Beef 706 programs
USDA program brings veterinarians to underserved areas
Win the carbon footprint debate
WSGA Land Trust celebrates 10th anniversary
EDITOR
Carbon monoxide is invisible winter hazard
One small Christmas celebration
Personal responsibility
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
COLUMNS
He really does exist
Just a scoop full
New sunflower hybrids debut for 2011
North Star still lighting path
RMA's Bill Murphy looks ahead at the future of crop insurance
Winter's cold was countered by family's warmth
MARKETS
Aberdeen cattle sales report
Dalhart livestock auction report
Denison feeder cattle auction
Dunlap feeder cattle auction
Ericson cattle sales report
Faith livestock auction report
Hay trade moderate
Huron cattle sales report
Lamoni feeder cattle auction
Most hay classes selling steady
North Arkansas livestock auction report
North Arkansas livestock auction report
Pratt 3 p.m. cattle sales
Tama feeder cattle report
RANGE
The farm bill cycle begins again
FAMILY
A toast to the holiday roast
Burlington FFA members develop leadership skills
Controlling moles and gophers
Deck the halls, house and trees with LEDs
Dietary substitutions help keep holidays healthier
Discerning buyers will like Julia
K-State Research and Extension Service to host master gardener classes
Last-minute gift ideas
Make holiday breakfasts special
Meditation for 12-20-10
Partnership helps support Texas FFA
Rain gardens sprouting up everywhere
Reducing holiday stress
Tips can take guesswork out of holiday candy making
Trails West--Gate, Okla.
UNL offers Master Gardener training throughout Nebraska
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