An early chopping season was underway Aug. 2 for Allegan County farmer Mike Timmer, who said it was either get the corn - or what was left of it - at about 70 percent moisture or wait and find it too dry to ensile. Rain Aug. 5 and 7 was too late to help the corn make a normal crop, and could lead to nitrate poisoning for animals without proper caution.
Crops in doubt from severe drought
With reports of rain so spotty that "if you put out a double-barrel shotgun at night, in the morning only one barrel would be full," many Michigan farmers are enduring conditions so dry that meteorologists were hard-pressed to find a comparable year, although 1988 comes up in conversation. Click here for full story.AFBF praises farm bill reform
The House-passed farm bill establishes a new benchmark for reform while retaining a viable economic safety net for America's farmers and ranchers, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). Click here for full story.Chopping stressed corn? Watch for nitrate poisoning
In some years, farmers may face salvaging drought-stressed corn and forage crops by chopping it for silage or cutting it for hay. When that occurs, be aware that feeding drought-stressed corn silage, green-chopped forage or hay to cattle carries the concern of nitrate poisoning. Click here for full story.Ethanol from wood chips coming to Michigan?
A Massachusetts company plans to invest between $100 million and $150 million into a cellulosic ethanol plant in Michigan, using wood chips to produce the alternative fuel. Click here for full story.MSU names new wheat breeder
Janet Lewis is coming home this October, just in time to oversee planting of the first Michigan wheat crop she's been involved with since 2004. Click here for full story.