Market to Market

Feature Story

Produce Unit Train Links West Coast Farmers with East Coast Food Distributors Part 1

posted on February 3, 2010 11:20 AM

Jim Kleist, Railex, LLC: “We may be doing something that’s going to change the way food is moved forever in the United States, at least part of the food.”

After years of battling untimely, inconsistent long-haul methods of transport, an innovative platform called Railex was created in 2006. It remains a cutting edge way to link the needs of farmers, shippers and manufacturers with retail and food distributors.

Jim Kleist, Rail

Full Story

Recent Stories

Expanded Market Analysis: Tomm Pfitzenmaier

posted on February 5, 2010 4:25 PM

Grain prices continued their downward trend -- albeit modestly -- this week as a strengthening dollar made U.S. commodities more expensive overseas. Full Story

Mixed Reviews for RFS2

posted on February 4, 2010 5:42 PM

Since it was first published for comment, one of the main sticking points for RFS2 has been the inclusion of the controversial "indirect land-use theory." The theory suggests when corn -- ethanol's predominant feedstock -- is diverted to biofuel production farmers in other countries will plant on sensitive ... Full Story

Expanded Market Analysis: John Roach

posted on January 29, 2010 4:44 PM

Mark Pearson and John Roach discuss the weeks freefall in grain prices. Full Story

Ethanol Company Brews Green Energy

posted on January 29, 2010 2:44 PM

Transforming a kernel of corn into fuel-grade ethanol is nothing new for biofuel producers like Green Plains Renewable Energy. But the fourth largest ethanol company in North America also is brewing something different. Something their CEO calls the next generation of renewable fuel – the very green ... Full Story

Iowa Ethanol Mandate Proposed

posted on January 28, 2010 10:21 PM

Ethanol proponents in Iowa -- the nation's production leader -- have taken their cause to lawmakers in an attempt to increase use of the predominately corn-based fuel. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association is asking legislators to pass into law an E-10 mandate requiring all gasoline sold in the state ... Full Story

In The News

Hope Returns After Year of Steep US Dairy Losses

posted on February 5, 2010 11:47 AM

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Only months ago, dairy producers were slaughtering an average of 50,000 dairy cows a week because a milk glut made it impossible to sell their milk for what it cost ... Full Story

Tests Prove Link to Pepper in Salmonella Outbreak

posted on February 5, 2010 11:46 AM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Tests have shown that the same strain of salmonella that sickened more than 200 people in at least 42 states has been found in black pepper, but it's not clear ... Full Story

Urban Farmers Fight Nationwide to Sow Green Biz

posted on February 5, 2010 11:41 AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Tara Kolla fancied herself a green thumb-turned-green businesswoman when she planted an organic flower plot in her yard and sold poppies, sweet peas and zinnias ... Full Story

China Launches Emergency Sweep for Tainted Milk

posted on February 5, 2010 11:39 AM

BEIJING (AP) -- China has launched a 10-day emergency crackdown on tainted milk products after several were found creeping back onto the market despite a massive scandal that sickened ... Full Story

Oregon Cowboys Hit Hard by Recession, Change

posted on February 5, 2010 11:35 AM

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - John Moyer says he's never faced work prospects like these. A lifelong cowboy, Moyer has worked for ranchers around Heppner, Ore., since the 1980s. Just before ... Full Story

Salazar Says He's 'Bullish' on Wind Energy

posted on February 5, 2010 11:22 AM

ABOARD USCGC IDA LEWIS (AP) - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar says the future of wind energy in the U.S. does not hang on his decision about a Massachusetts project. Salazar ... Full Story

USDA Awarding $310 Million for Broadband Projects

posted on February 5, 2010 11:09 AM

The Agriculture Department is handing out nearly $310 million in stimulus money to bring high-speed Internet connections to 14 rural communities around the country. The awards being ... Full Story

UN Food Agency Urges Support for Haiti's $700 Million Agriculture Investment Plan

posted on January 29, 2010 3:51 PM

ROME (AP) - The United Nations called Friday for donations for a $700 million agricultural investment fund for Haiti to help boost food production and create jobs. The 18-month investment ... Full Story

Subsidies Prop up Cotton Country Through Downturn

posted on January 29, 2010 11:52 AM

The white puff of cotton blooms cover Missouri's Bootheel at harvest, filling both tiny planter boxes outside a Super 8 motel's front door and nearby thousand-acre spreads. "Thank ... Full Story

Storms Stall Arizona Lettuce Harvest

posted on January 29, 2010 11:50 AM

YUMA, Ariz. (AP) - Wet weather has been a mixed blessing for farmers in Yuma County. The unusual moisture has helped drive up the price of lettuce, but farmers are having trouble ... Full Story

Kansas Legislature Asked to Raise Some Dairy Fees

posted on January 29, 2010 11:46 AM

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Swimming in more red ink than his Jerseys could milk, Merle Yoder had a decision to make. So, in May, he put his 90-some head of cows on the auction block. Hurt ... Full Story

Farmworkers Ask State to Help with Losses

posted on January 29, 2010 11:44 AM

MIAMI -- The Farmworker Association of Florida and other advocates are asking Gov. Charlie Crist to help thousands of workers who lost wages after this month's nearly two-week cold ... Full Story

Grape Growing, Fish Protection Clash in California

posted on January 29, 2010 11:42 AM

HEALDSBURG, Calif. (AP) -- Grape growers in Northern California's cool, fertile Sonoma County wine region are stomping mad at a new plan to limit the amount of water vineyards can ... Full Story

Older Stories »

Watch The Latest Episode

After pledging to cut costs, President Obama offers up the largest federal budget in history. Across the nation, ethanol producers give mixed reviews to the final Renewable Fuels Standard. Down at the rail yard, an innovative program connects farmers and consumers from coast to coast. Market analysis with Tomm Pfitzenmaier. Read Transcript (27:47)

See past episodes »

Expanded Market Analysis: February 5, 2010

Grain prices continued their downward trend -- albeit modestly -- this week as a strengthening dollar made U.S. commodities more expensive overseas. Full Story

Rural Economic Summit

Join the Market to Market team as they examine the impact of the economic recession in rural America with special reports from communities around the nation.

The second in a series of four Rural Economic Summits was held in Madison, Wisconsin on Wednesday, January 20 at 5:00 p.m. The summit included a town hall discussion among experts recorded in front of a live audience, and broadcast as a special edition of Market to Market on January 22. Additional events are being scheduled in other states through 2010.

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Latest Blog Posts

Share your perspective on current trends and issues on the Market to Market blog.

Rural Economic Summit Coming to Madison, Wisconsin January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Market to Market, America’s longest-running weekly agribusiness program, examines the impact of the economic recession in rural America with four special programs recorded in communities around the nation. The second in a series of four Rural Economic Summits will be held in Madison, Wisconsin on Wednesday, January 20 at 5:00 p.m. The summit ... Read more »
How Is the Economic Downturn Affecting You and Your Community?
Thursday, September 24, 2009

Throughout 2009 and 2010, Market to Market is examining the impact of the economic recession in rural America. In addition to weekly coverage, the effort culminates in four special road editions, called Rural Economic Summits. Each Rural Economic Summit includes a background segment on economic challenges confronting that particular region, a case ... Read more »
Health Insurance Reform
Friday, July 31, 2009

Several health insurance programs have been suggested by members of Congress from a single-payer plan to a cooperative-style program. What do you think would be the best way to make affordable health insurance available to rural America? Read more »
How Will Cap-And-Trade Affect You?
Thursday, July 16, 2009

A recent Iowa State University study shows cap-and-trade legislation could increase costs for Corn Belt farmers by $5 to $10 per acre. The American Farm Bureau Federation claims producers could pay as much as $33 per acre. How would this cost increase affect you if the measure becomes law? Read more »
Should Animal I.D. Be Mandatory?
Thursday, July 2, 2009

What do you think of USDA’s Animal I.D. program? Should it remain voluntary or should all U.S. animal producers be required to participate? Read more »

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