By March 1, 2007, every head of cattle in Michigan will be tagged with an electronic device such as this one, according to a mandate recently approved by the Michigan Agriculture Commission. The prefix on every tag will be 840, the official number of the United States in the animal ID system. Each tag will cost producers $2. The tags also can be used to keep records more efficiently.
Mandate turns cattle industry on its ear
A mandate recently approved by the Michigan Agriculture Commission will soon make Michigan tthe first state in the nation to require all its cattle to be identified with electronic ear tags. Click here for full story.How to get your electronic tags
Because electronic identification tags will be required for all Michigan cattle by March 1, 2007, producers are encouraged to put in their orders as soon as possible. Click here for full story.Farmland values continue to rise
According to the annual Michigan Land Value survey conducted in the spring of 2005 by the Department of Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University Michigan farmland values generally posted impressive gains again in 2005, continuing their string of year-to-year increases. Click here for full story.Lower milk prices forseen
A second consecutive high milk price year contributed to a healthy dairy farm economy in 2005. All market signals encouraged increased milk production and both cow numbers and milk production per cow responded. Recent cash markets have displayed weaker prices and the outlook is for lower milk prices in 2006. Click here for full story.Ag should feel less pain from state economy
The consensus forecast is for the U.S. economy to grow at a 3.4 percent annual rate in 2006. Growth slowed in the fourth quarter of 2005 after 10 quarters of growth averaging four percent. That slowdown suggests positive but slower growth for 2006. Click here for full story.Numbers don't lie; Michigan farmers are doing well
When farmers are in good financial shape, buying - and paying for - equipment is an option that can be explored more seriously. GreenStone Farm Credit Services data shows farmers are in better financial shape than ever before. Click here for full story.Early and coordinated responses reduce the impact of major emergencies
With the increasingly interconnected and global nature of today's agricultural economy, emergencies that start out on one farm or agricultural operation can rapidly snowball - disrupting other farm operations locally, regionally, and in some cases, around the world. Click here for full story.A little help could save a life
The response of local law enforcement and emergency services personnel to incidents on the farm might be overwhelming for those experiencing it for the first time, but if farmers know what to expect, they or their families or their employees can take actions that just may save a life. Click here for full story.