Corn season means return of farmers’ worries about tar spot fungus
|
By Victoria Witke
Jacob Faist of Jackson County is among the state’s farmers worried about tar spot, an emerging disease in corn and silage fed to dairy cows. It can lower crop yield, reduce the nutritional value of the corn and reduce milk production. According to a study, Michigan and the Great Lakes region are particularly vulnerable. Researchers did the study in Branch, Ottawa, Ingham and Barry counties. Top producing counties include Lenawee and Ionia.
Wildlife
Law students, attorneys could advocate for animals in cruelty cases under new proposal
By Emilio Perez Ibarguen
Legislation would let law students and lawyers represent the interests of abused animals in criminal prosecutions related to the animal’s welfare or custody. The idea is rooted in a massive 1995 animal abuse case in Ottawa County.
Water
Wisconsin grant to help spread the news on eating safe amount of fish
By Isabella Figueroa
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been granted $1 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to better reach Spanish, Hmong and rural populations.
Nearshore
Chasing thundersnow: Students join scientists in electrifying lake-effect storm research
By Julia Belden
From November 2022 to February 2023, scientists – and a small army of undergraduate research assistants – braved frigid temperatures and deep snow to document winter lightning along the easternmost shores of Lake Ontario as part of a National Science Foundation-funded study.