Plan to fork out more cash for fertilizer

Get your checkbook out and plan to write a bigger check in 2011 if you will be buying any fertilizer, warns Stu Ellis, editor of the farm gate blog. Various nutrients are either domestic or global commodities, and both will be going up in price for a variety of reasons, he says.

To balance your budget, ensure that you have a good working knowledge of your fertility needs, set realistic production goals and comparison shop. Also, use the theory of getting a return on your fertilizer investment, Ellis suggests.

1. Ag markets mixed again Tuesday
2. Behold, the power of Greek yogurt’s whey
3. Milk and dairy product prices remain stable
4. Ag markets generally mixed around midsession on Tuesday
5. How China may keep Calif. dairies in business
6. Why commodity feeding?

1. Will Smith dethroned in latest Peterson Farm Bros. parody
2. Uncertainty hangs over milk futures market
3. Chobani pushes back against UK Greek yogurt ban
4. Cattle crush Calif. dairy worker
5. WASDE: Corn price outlook lowered
6. How China may keep Calif. dairies in business

1. Commentary: Clueless consumers
2. Commentary: Why should we care about the farm bill?