Focus On Agriculture 

By Kent Thiesse, Vice President, MinnStar Bank

Ag Review For 2006
As we reach the end of the year, it’s a good time to reflect on what happened agriculturally in the region in 2006...

Market News 

By Richard Brock

China To Limit Use Of Grain For Biofuel
Citing concerns over surging prices despite a likely record grain harvest, China’s government has signaled its intention to protect food supplies by limiting the use of corn and wheat for production of biofuels...

Market News 

By Richard Brock

Congress Extends Ethanol Tariff
The Omnibus Tax bill passed by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate on Dec. 8 contained legislation extending ...

Focus On Agriculture 

By Kent Thiesse, Vice President, MinnStar Bank

Historical Perspective Of The Current Farm Bill
Some would argue that we no longer need the traditional commodity-based federal government farm programs, and that the next Farm Bill...

The Road Warrior Of Agriculture 

By David Kohl

‘Shoot From The Hip’ Management Style
This is the time of year when many of you are taking time to think about your business in 2007 and beyond. I was asked a question concerning the effectiveness of business planning...

It's A Great Time To Be Farming 

By Moe Russell

For nearly a decade I've said farmers will have the opportunity to create more wealth in the next 10 years than they have in the last 25. I feel more...

Thiesse's Thoughts 

By Kent Thiesse, Vice President, MinnStar Bank

Strong Grain Markets Continue
The corn and soybean grain markets have continued to be...

Thiesse's Thoughts 

By Kent Thiesse, Vice President, MinnStar Bank

Corn Storage Issues
Corn storage availability does not appear to be...

The Road Warrior Of Agriculture 

By David M. Kohl

Why Do Lenders Sometimes Weight Collateral And Equity So Heavily?
This was a question asked by an agricultural producer panel...

Thiesse's Thoughts 

By Kent Thiesse, Vice President, MinnStar Bank

Closing Out 2005 CCC Crop Loans
A considerable amount of corn and soybeans that were raised in 2005 were placed under a CCC marketing loan...