Spotlight on Economics: NDSU developing commodity trading room and financial laboratory

The NDSU Agribusiness and Applied Economics Department is developing a commodity trading room (CTR) and financial laboratory. NDSU has a growing focus in commodity marketing and finance and risk management and this initiative will help it expand its expertise.

Ag calendar (May 17)

FARGO – Dakota Global Food Solutions of Fargo has scheduled a hazard analysis – critical control point training seminar Wednesday and Thursday at the Chieftain Conference Center in Carrington, N.D.

Rosmann: Are there beneficial uses for alcohol?

The earliest known production of alcoholic beverages dates back at least 9,000 years to a type of grog brewed in China, archeologist Pat McGovern said in a 2011 Smithsonian Magazine article authored by Abigail Tucker.

Pet care: Dogs reacting to shot

Dear Dr. Fox: In October, we had our two beagles get their rabies shots from a veterinary house-call service. Two weeks later, neither could stand, and they dragged their rear ends on the floor. The vet said they probably had arthritis.

Kovels: Children’s toys reflect times

Children’s toys often tell us how times have changed. Canada stopped making pennies last year, so saving money a penny at a time will soon be a problem in Canada. The United States also may stop making pennies, since the cost of the copper in a single coin is more than one cent.

• Speaking Dog bank

Hatton couple’s Beaver Creek Bed & Breakfast gives city people a new experience

HATTON, N.D. - After her children grew up and moved away, Shelley Wold missed the feeling of a full house, so she opened Beaver Creek Bed & Breakfast in Hatton this year with her husband, Kevin.

• Beaver Creek Bed & Breakfast

Beef Talk: How do we get the next generation to raise beef:

"Cattle and crops: Together we stand, divided we fall." Among the numerous commentaries on agriculture, is that really true?

Long winter slows availability of range grass for grazing

The long, cool, snowy winter of 2012-13 severely slowed grass growth on rangeland this spring, which is delaying its availability for grazing.

Reports indicate some winterkill in alfalfa

ST. PAUL — Several reports have come in indicating varying levels of winterkill in alfalfa. For dairy producers, this is an unwelcome start to the late spring.

Ag calendar (May 10)

True North Equipment builds headquarters in Grand Forks

GRAND FORKS – For two years, it’s gone by the name True North Equipment. And now, the four-store John Deere dealer network in the northern Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota is charting a new course, shifting away from traditional store managers and focusing heavily on training.

• True North Equipment headquarters rendering

Prairie Fare: Grow your own salad

As I wandered around our (finally) snow-free backyard, I had the urge to get my hands dirty. Our three dogs already had accomplished getting their paws muddy in our soggy backyard as they scampered playfully, nipping at each other’s heels. We all needed a little time outdoors to romp in the sunlight.

Rosmann: Is too much alcohol an agricultural issue?

How do farm and ranch people manage – or not manage – alcohol consumption? This column takes a look at alcohol use by people involved in agriculture. Next week’s column offers a perspective on whether or not alcohol benefits its users.

Pet care: Seal floor to stop urination

Dear Dr. Fox: I recently wrote in about our two cats. The first cat had a bowel problem, and you asked us to write back with the type of food we switched to that fixed it.

Kovels: Stop and think about chairs

A chair has four legs, a seat, a back and perhaps arms – or at least that was the rule for hundreds of years.

• Lounge chair sold for $21,250