21.   The cornfields of Dale Montgomery would probably have embarrassed a proud Midwestern farmer from an earlier generation.

22.   The government program that means most to Rothermel and most other Midwestern farmers is the one that pays them billions of dollars a year to grow corn.

23.   The incoming chairman of the Agriculture Committee is Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, and Midwestern farmers have historically criticized the Northeast compact as unfavorable to the Midwest.

24.   The recently proposed Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards could mean higher production costs and lower profits for Midwestern farmers and ranchers.

25.   The steep decline prompted Midwestern farmers to sell some of the corn and soybeans they had been hoarding in anticipation of higher grain prices.

26.   This means many Midwestern farmers have delayed making commitments that ought to have been made long ago.

27.   To be sure, most Midwestern farmers are only beginning to work the fields, and revisions are likely depending on the weather.

28.   Cold weather had caused soybean futures to rise Thursday in anticipation that Midwestern farmers will need more soy-based feed for livestock.

29.   Fear of foot-and-mouth disease has friendly Midwestern farmers pulling up their welcome mats.

30.   Midwestern farmers are heading into another growing season with an unpleasant outlook in terms of commodity prices, government aid and weather.