http://publicradioeast.org en http://publicradioeast.org/post/corn-fickle-weather-makes-uncertain-yields Last year's drought wreaked havoc on farmers' fields in much of the Midwest, cutting crop yields and forcing livestock producers to cull their herds. This spring, the rain that farmers needed so badly in 2012 has finally returned. But maybe too much, and at the wrong time.<p>It's almost the end of April, which is prime time to plant corn. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:25:00 +0000 Abbie Fentress Swanson 12429 at http://publicradioeast.org For Corn, Fickle Weather Makes For Uncertain Yields http://publicradioeast.org/post/small-farmers-arent-cashing-wal-mart When Wal-Mart calls, Herman Farris always finds whatever the retailer wants, even if it's yucca root in the dead of winter. Farris is a produce broker in Columbia, Mo., who has been buying for Wal-Mart from auctions and farms since the company began carrying fruits and vegetables in the early 1990s.<p>During the summer and fall, nearly everything Farris delivers is grown in Missouri. That's Wal-Mart's definition of "local" — produce grown and sold in the same state. Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:27:00 +0000 Abbie Fentress Swanson 6441 at http://publicradioeast.org Small Farmers Aren't Cashing In With Wal-Mart