Farmers who do it themselves, such as Clinton County partners Kevin Bailey, left, and Lee Chant, don't worry too much about minimum wage adjustments. But the state's increase that takes effect this October will hurt other Michigan farmers, many of whom have taken a 13 percent pay cut in the last nine years. Bailey and Chant were planting sugar beets when they stopped to adjust the equipment.
Farmers plot new game plan after minimum wage raise
If Michigan's recent minimum wage raise was a "team victory," as Governor Jennifer Granholm declared in late March, players such as Al Dietrich feel like they've been sent to the showers. Click here for full story.Juice grapes take frost hit, NE apples severely hurt
Apple trees in some parts of northwestern Michigan may bear no fruit this year, and some juice grapes in southwestern Michigan may not be worth harvesting after a spring freeze hit them hard. Click here for full story.Corn yield contest entries sought
It is time once again for the National Corn Growers Association Corn Yield Contest which gives Michigan Corn Growers Association members the chance to showcase their production skills while competing with growers from across the country for the highest yielding corn. Click here for full story.End of duty on U.S. corn to Canada is good news for Michigan
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has lifted a $1.65-per-bushel tariff on imports of unprocessed corn from the United States, and that's welcome news for Michigan corn growers who supply Canada with corn for ethanol production and animal feed. Click here for full story.Dairymen try to hold the line as milk prices fall
Squeezing out an extra pound or two of milk per cow appears to be the only realistic option for farmers sliding down dairy's economic cycle. Click here for full story.