By Georgia Hill
Legislation in the Michigan House would update fee requirements and simplify regulations for composts, fertilizers and soil conditioners.
Agriculture
Michigan farmers face bankruptcies, other financial challenges
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By Bauyrzhan Zhaxylykov
Bankruptcies of Michigan farmers are troubling despite a dip in their Chapter 12 filings last year. Major reasons are higher expenses for inputs such as fertilizer coupled with flat commodity prices.
Agriculture
Corn season means return of farmers’ worries about tar spot fungus
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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.
Agriculture
Better training for dairy farm workers would help farmers, study says
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By Victoria Witke
Consistent training of dairy farm workers can prevent mastitis, and improve milk quality and employee communication, according to a recent MSU study. The dairy industry contributes $15.7 billion yearly to the state economy. Huron and Clinton counties host the greatest number of dairy cows, and Lenawee, Missaukee and Ionia counties also have lots of them.
Agriculture
Cover crop mixes can cut carbon emissions from farms, study says
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By Victoria Witke
A new U-M study done in Lenawee, Tuscola and Monroe counties finds that cover crop mixtures on farms can help mitigate adverse impacts of climate change, instead of single species cover crops. There are concerns about the freezing of federal payments for agriculture programs.