A study by economists from ISU's Center for Agricultural and Economic Development projects costs and land requirements for various farm programs. Their conclusion: there's no program that's all good nor all bad. The public will have to compare goals and values to select the program they desire.

Moisture is becoming an increasingly important factor in crop production. ISU studies show farmers can save moisture for an upcoming corn crop by killing out a meadow crop early in the last year of a rotation.

The third article in a series on farm labor provides some guidelines for farm employers. Because desires for benefits vary according to types of employees, farmers should consider the individual''s needs and preferences first in designing a pay package.

Land appears to be the most common resoruce leased for agricultural production, according to this survey by an ISU economist. Here's a look at the amount of leasing of agricultural "inputs" and how this is affected by size of farm and gross farm sales.