Echo
Last year’s drought, early frost cause this year’s farm labor woes
|
An increasing number of workers from Eastern Europe are finding jobs in the farm industry in Michigan, but the increase isn’t enough to allay concerns of labor shortage.
Climate
Great Lakes wetlands may mitigate climate change
|
Wetlands have been drained for farming and development and blamed for obstructing lake views.
Researchers are studying how they combat climate change, countering the impact of fossil fuel emissions by storing all that extra carbon.
Climate
Disappearing ice spells uncertain future for Lake Superior
|
Drastic ice loss on the Great Lakes over the past 40 years could have a negative impact on them. Less ice can cause lower water levels, shoreline erosion, more snow and an increase in water temperature.
Climate
Tart cherry insurance program may arrive next year
|
Last year’s tart cherry loss has inspired a flurry of activity to explore federal crop insurance to protect Michigan growers.
Echo
Making a living on thin ice
|
Climate change affects the economy in a variety of ways.
It’s tough on winter festivals.
But operating on thin ice is good for at least one business.
Climate
When in Drought: Satellites show low Great Lakes groundwater
|
The drought plaguing the country continues to sap the groundwater and soil water of the Great Lakes region, according to new NASA satellite data. The two maps, constructed using data from NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment satellites, show low near-surface and subterranean water levels across the region between January 8 and 14, 2013. These satellites have been used to examine surface soil and ground water levels since they were launched in 2002. While not as low as some areas of the southeast or west, much of the region remains below the 1948-2009 average. Average levels are denoted by white space on the maps, while above-average is blue and below-average appears red.
Climate
Drought’s a Grinch – years from now
|
The drought of 2012 will affect Christmas tree farmers in the Great Lakes eight to nine years from now.
That’s because the dry landscape was bad for planting new trees.
Michigan ranks only behind Oregon and North Carolina in the national tree market.
Climate
Chestnut farmers cope with lower yields
|
Michigan’s chestnut growers are facing the same problems other fruit growers confront this year.
The early surge of temperatures in March and the inevitable cold weather in April and May curtailed nut production, just as it did for apples and cherries.
Climate
Drought means Michigan dairy farmers face increasing costs
|
Despite recent rains, the 2012 drought – the most destructive in 50 years – has driven many Michigan dairy farmers into “survival mode”.
The dry weather reduced crop yields, tightening the feed supply.
Echo
Low water, high electric costs and cuts to Great Lakes shipping profits
|
Low Great Lakes water means shippers have to lighten their loads. Vessels have run aground this summer and utility officials say operational costs increase when they have to import lighter and more numerous loads of coal.