September 30, 1998

Paul and Loren Koeman, of Hamilton, say then can ride out low crop prices if given the right tools.

Farmers say they can ride out low crop prices with Congress' help

American farmers will likely suffer a $7.4 billion drop in net farm income this year, but at least a few Michigan farmers say they can ride it out -- if given the right tools. Click here for full story.

Manure management becoming easier with sand separator

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency released a proposal Sept. 17 that they hope will lessen the effects livestock and poultry farms could have on water quality and public health. Click here for full story.

Weed Outlook

Fall is an excellent time to control quackgrass with Roundup Ultra. Harvested silage corn and wheat fields are ideal sites for fall quackgrass control. Ideal timing is from early September to mid-October. Click here for full story.

Producers finding new uses for soybeans, but still face challenges

Pick up a newspaper today and you'll likely notice a little box saying, "printed with soy ink." What many people don't realize, however, is that printing newspapers with the ink is the tip of the iceberg and, unlike the Titanic, many new soy uses and ideas will never sink. Click here for full story.

Farmers are ready for more Roundup Ready crops

Now that farmers have two years of Roundup Ready soybeans under their belts and the first year of commercially available corn looked good, many are wondering when other crops will make it to the farm. Click here for full story.

Engler unveils campaign platform and priorities

Gov. John Engler unveiled his campaign platform Sept. 15, and issues important to agriculture make the list. Engler said preserving Michigan farmland... Click here for full story.

Farm Bureau warns that climate treaty will hurt farmers

The Clinton administration's climate change proposal will restrict farming practices, disrupt livestock and crop production and increase farm energy costs, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Click here for full story.

Mecosta potato farmer wins environmental award

Alan Sackett recently earned a national award for good environmental practices among potato farmers. Sackett, owner of Sackett Potatoes, in Mecosta, was given the award based on sound environmental practices on his farm. Click here for full story.

Strip farming catching on in Michigan

With today's low crop prices, farmers can't afford to let even a small chunk of ground go unplanted. Even so, farmers are struggling to make ends meet. Continually looking for a more productive way to farm... Click here for full story.

How to develop a business plan

Today's businesses need much organization, effective communication, proper direction and measurable successes. Obtaining this crucial information may not be as easy as one would think, but with a well-developed business plan... Click here for full story.

Crowd learns how value-added cooperatives could work in Michigan

About 250 people gathered in Lansing, Sept. 3, to find out how producers could pocket more profits through value-added cooperatives. Click here for full story.

Farm Bureau's plan to improve farm profits

An American Farm Bureau Federation "Committee on the Farm Economy" recently gave these recommendations to each member of Congress, according to Al Almy, Michigan Farm Bureau public policy division director. The committee urged Congress to act quickly... Click here for full story.

Targeting the customer niche is key to selling products

"All the technology, efficiency, bells and whistles mean nothing unless you have a happy customer." This statement, according to Leslie Mahoney, is key in targeting the customer niche in today's society. Click here for full story.

News in Brief From the President

We have all feared the worst as harvest time approaches. What will yields be like after an unpredictable and erratic growing season? What kind of prices and profit potential will be available after an equally erratic market for most major commodities? Click here for full story.

Narrow rows are the norm for Minnesota

Too much equipment lying around prompted Sheldon and David Melberg, of Hector, Minn., to switch their corn and soybeans to narrow rows four years ago. Now they wouldn't turn back. Click here for full story.

EPA, USDA release manure management strategy

Judge expands scope of right-of-way lawsuit against AT&T

In a landmark legal opinion, a judge has cleared the way for a national class-action lawsuit against AT&T on behalf of landowners. Nationwide certification of the lawsuit, which allows aggrieved landowners from across the nation to seek damages... Click here for full story.