Conservation practices are not in danger of being displaced by high-value crops this year, despite the prices. In fact, many of Michigan's more fragile and erosive lands are being re-enrolled in CRP.
Do high crop prices mean environmental damage?
The one thing that isn't readily understood among reports that Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres will come out of the conservation program en masse and into production, according to Steve Shine, manager of the Michigan Department of Agriculture's (MDA) conservation programs, is that many of Michigan's more fragile and erosive lands are being re-enrolled in CRP. Click here for full story.USDA grants $3.5 million for Michigan TB eradication
Michigan will receive nearly $3.5 million of $16.8 million in new emergency funding to continue efforts to eradicate bovine tuberculosis. Minnesota and California will divide the remainder of the funds available from the USDA. Click here for full story.DHS to target ag employees on 'enforcement visits'
For the first time since Sept. 11, 2001, Michigan employers can expect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to conduct enforcement visits on farms. During winter farm labor meetings, ICE representatives indicated they have been informed by the regional office that they will resume employer enforcements that were suspended after 9-11. Click here for full story.Climate change may fuel a new generation of more aggressive weeds
Is global warming fueling a new generation of more aggressive weeds? According to recent research, the answer may be yes. Click here for full story.Greenhouse growers warm up to new environmental assessment
With increasing pressure from major retailers to operate in a sustainable manner, Michigan greenhouse growers are responding with enthusiasm to the new Greenhouse*A*Syst risk assessment, a component of the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). Click here for full story.Asparagus growers vote to support marketing program
Michigan asparagus producers have voted to continue the Michigan Asparagus Industry Development Program. Click here for full story.Homeland Security issues new no-match rules for farmers
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released Supplemental Proposed Rulemaking March 21 for the No-Match Rule previously issued on Aug. 15, 2007. Click here for full story.Laker FFA lands two of top four achievers at state convention
Two Laker FFA members were among the top four achievers at the recent Michigan FFA State Convention. Click here for full story.Ag labor pay increases in Michigan, survey says
Each quarter, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the USDA releases farm labor statistics for the national level, broken down by regions. This article is based on the NASS release of Feb. 15, 2008, and the data describe the situation during the week of Jan. 6-12, 2008. Click here for full story.Prepare well, beat the wheat disease game
With prices at historic levels, managing the 2008 wheat crop well could mean great returns. Failure to pay attention to detail could mean quality discounts and, perhaps, even losses, since input costs also are higher than ever before. Click here for full story.