The honey bee's unique, fuzzy body makes it the perfect pollinator, more efficient by far than other insects or wind. But an unidentified disease currently being called Colony Collapse Disorder is decimating honey bee colonies in 24 states. Hive rentals this year are expected to be much more expensive, if hives can be found.
Mysterious death threatens pollination; bees needed
It doesn't seem to matter much what the problem has been named, because no one knows what to call the disease that's killing honeybees in 24 U.S. states, including Michigan. Click here for full story.Bovine TB Eradication Program changes adopted
Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Mitch Irwin recently signed into effect changes regarding the movement of cattle in Michigan. All known Michigan cattle producers received personal notification from MDA on requirements for movement testing, electronic identification and movement certification, which went into effect March 1. Click here for full story.Music of the spears
In Kirsten Kelly's world, people pop up from the soil every spring just like asparagus spears. Click here for full story.Getz-Milk Dairy first U.P. farm verified in three MAEAP systems
A Menominee County dairy farmer is the first in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) to be verified in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). Click here for full story.Survey helps USDA prepare for Census
In an effort to make sure that every U.S. farm and ranch is counted in the upcoming 2007 Census of Agriculture, the USDA is currently conducting a screening survey, called the Agricultural Identification Survey (AIS). Click here for full story.Farm emergency seminars scheduled
A series of safety seminars has been planned to show farmers how to solve their safety and security challenges. Click here for full story.