The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) "Drought Disaster" fly-in will make stops in Monroe, Tuscola, Oceana and Ingham counties. Other tour participants are MDA officials, including Director Dan Wyant, and officials from the state Farm Service Agency (FSA) office and Michigan State University Extension.

County FSA offices are now collecting yield data to help support the Governor's consideration of a Michigan request for disaster designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Monday's tour is meant to give agriculture officials a firsthand look at some of the weather problems farmers across the state are experiencing.

USDA-approved disaster status would allow eligible producers in designated counties to apply to the FSA for low-interest emergency loans to help them recover from weather-related production losses.

For a county to receive disaster designation, at least one commodity within the county must show a production loss of at least 30 percent. Producers in counties designated disaster areas would have up to eight months from the declaration date to apply for loans up to 80 percent of their production losses, or a total of $500,000 under the emergency loan program.

Following is Monday's itinerary and a listing of affected crops on the tour. Excluding the first stop, all hour-long visits take place at farms of MFB members. Please note that time has been allotted between each visit for travel on the plane and between airports and farms.

8:15-9:15 a.m. - Monroe
Billy Leicht
5155 Stadler Road
Corn and soybeans
(734) 587-3256

10:30-11:30 a.m. - Reese
Gary and Steve Reif
8645 E. Washington
Soybeans, dry beans, corn and sugar beets
(989) 755-6064

1-2 p.m. - Hart
Jim Shull
3348 N. 144th Ave.
Asparagus, zucchini, wheat, corn, pickles and winter squash
(231) 873-3944

4-5 p.m. - Mason
Alan Garner
3694 W. Columbia Road
Corn and soybeans
(517) 694-0524

MFB, FSA, MDA and Michigan State University are working in partnership to expedite the disaster designation process.

MDA officials last week observed farms in the Upper Peninsula. Earlier this week, Wyant, Wood, and American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman observed drought damage across the Thumb as part of activities surrounding the Tri-County Annual Meeting of the Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola County Farm Bureaus.

During his Thumb-area travels, Stallman, a Texas rice grower and cattleman, said the impacts of excessive heat and dryness "were very clear," and he warned Michigan residents not to be too optimistic about recent rainfalls.

"Being a farmer myself and from Texas, I understand drought," Stallman said. "But like your Michigan Farm Bureau president said, just because you have mud puddles here today does not mean there hasn't been significant damage out there."

Also last week, the MFB Board of Directors issued a statement saying, "Farmers are always at the mercy of the weather. However, this year's weather has exceeded their worst expectations. The combination of a wet spring, late frost and the recent extremely hot, dry summer weather has resulted in severe stress on many crops throughout Michigan.

"Losses for some annual crops are catastrophic, while damage to perennial crops, such as fruit, will impact this year's crop as well as potentially next year's harvest. The financial impact to farmers will be very serious in many areas.

"Considering Farm Bureau members' concerns, the Michigan Farm Bureau Board urges that crop conditions be evaluated in every county and be reported as soon as possible. The Michigan Farm Bureau Board of Directors believes it is very important for the affected counties to be declared disaster areas as soon as possible to expedite federal assistance to farmers. Actual harvests will be needed to determine individual producer eligibility, but it is obvious some crops have been lost."

The leader of the nation's largest general farm organization, Stallman is a Texas rice grower and cattleman. He was in Michigan on Monday for a Tri-County Annual Meeting of the Tuscola, Sanilac and Huron County Farm Bureaus at the county Farm Bureaus' request.

Before delivering an evening address at the annual meeting in Bad Axe, Stallman visited the farms of the three county presidents and participated in a press conference on U.S. farm policy at the Fairgrove Township farm of Tuscola County Farm Bureau President Richard Starkey.

At that afternoon press conference, Stallman said AFBF is pleased with the farm bill proposal recently passed out of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. He applauded the committee for working within the budget parameters set by the president while still trying to balance the needs of various commodities and conservation efforts.

"(The House Agriculture Committee) did a good job of putting together a package that maybe isn't perfect from any one individual standpoint but that does meet the needs of American agriculture," Stallman told reporters.

However, he cautioned that the committee proposal still must be considered on the full House floor and the Senate still must introduce its own version. That's why Farm Bureau is "urging the process to move along quickly."

"One, we think farmers need to know what future farm policy is going to be so they can make their own plans," Stallman said. "Plus, there is an issue with the economy and what may happen to the budget dollars if we do not move things along fairly rapidly."

During his annual meeting speech, Stallman addressed public criticisms of federal farm payments.

"In spite of farmers' best efforts to manage natural and financial risks, we often see our bottomlines blasted by weather disasters, by the crash-and-recover instability of international economics, and by the uncertainty of domestic regulatory mandates," he said. "Each can take a painful bite off the top of an already slim profit margin.

"Farm Bureau has a long tradition of urging the federal government to spend taxpayer money wisely, and I can think of no better or more deserving place to invest it than in our fragile ag economy.

"Outsiders wonder why agriculture is consolidating so rapidly even though (farms) have been in a fewer-but-larger trend since the 1930s. The true question might be, 'How have so many of us been able to survive the past years of obscenely low prices for our commodities?' 'How have we survived the surging energy costs, the oppressive tax burdens, the unnecessary paperwork and foreign market barriers to our products?'

"Just as we produce the renewable products that could provide national fuel security, American farm and ranch families provide national food security - the greatest strength a nation can have. Here in the U.S., we spend only 10 percent of our income on food - the best bargain in the entire world. To those who say federal assistance to agriculture is out of line, I ask, 'How much food did you and your children eat today?' "

Stallman, during the press conference, touched on how a high-value U.S. dollar and weaker foreign currencies also warrant the need for federal agricultural assistance.

"It's difficult to get our export products into those other agricultural markets just from a pure price standpoint," Stallman said. "That's one of the reasons the farm economy is as it is across the country. There are a couple sectors that are doing OK, but across the country, the ag economy is not doing real well.

"We've been fortunate that our government has seen the problem and provided some additional supports over the last four years, but that's not a sustainable process. That's why it's very important that we go through this farm bill process and develop a farm bill that will be sustainable."

Stallman, though, stressed that American farm families are not solely affected by farm policy. A host of separate issues also influence their profitability, including the president's ability to negotiate vital trade deals, he explained.

"Trade is good for America. Trade is good for agriculture in the aggregate. That's why we strongly support Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the president," Stallman said. "(TPA) is something we wanted for the last president, something we want for this president, and something we want for the next president. It's absolutely essential for our negotiators to have this tool if they want to move forward and negotiate an agreement that's meaningful with our partners in the rest of the world."

Stallman acknowledged that "there are those in Washington, D.C. and across the country who don't like furthering trade" and are trying to slow down trade efforts out of "content" rather than "process" concerns.

TPA, though, "is about process, not about content," he said. "It'll be up to us to be sure that once TPA is passed, that our negotiators do a good job of representing American agriculture. And if they don't, then that's the time to stand up and say this agreement is good enough or is not good enough."

The agricultural industry has a vision of a profitable future - one that's dependent on growing markets, increased value-added efforts, and voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. However, bridging the gap between where the industry is now and where it wants to be in the future requires an expanded public investment in agriculture.

Farmers continue to be faced with falling incomes. USDA predicts farm income will decrease to $41.3 billion in 2001. That's a dramatic drop of 22 percent in farm income from the 1996 figure of $53.4 billion.

Farmers throughout the country have cited the burdensome cost of regulations, estimated at nearly $20 billion annually. Unfair foreign trade practices, and consequently, low commodity prices are additional obstacles to farm profitability. While America's farmers said they would accept major reforms to farm policy in 1996 in exchange for tax reform, regulatory reform and improved opportunities for trade, those reforms - considered key to the success of the program - simply have not occurred.

Government payments have provided a substantial portion of net farm income over the past three years. A decrease in those payments now would be very detrimental to farm income and would begin to undermine the financial balance sheet of the farm sector. Farmers must be given the opportunity to regain their footing and must be provided with a reliable safety net.

Michigan Farm Bureau believes the next farm bill must improve net farm income by enhancing the economic opportunities for our producers. Farm Bureau supports a more market-oriented approach to farm policy - an approach that allows farmers to make the production decisions for their own operations, and an approach that focuses on building demand for commodities both domestically and abroad.

We do not support a return to supply management or targeting of benefits. We believe the next farm bill must maintain a focus on conservation and protecting private property rights.

To achieve this, Farm Bureau supports the following provisions in the next farm bill:

Continuation of Production Flexibility contracts, and until more analysis is available, no updates to bases and yields.

Commodity loan rates should be rebalanced to be in historical alignment with the current $5.26 soybean loan rate.

Changes to Loan Deficiency Payments that will allow all producers of program crops to be eligible, and a mechanism to lock in a LDP any time after the crop is planted.

Extension of the Dairy Price support program.

A conservation stewardship payment for producers of fruits and vegetables and maintaining the fruit and vegetable planting restrictions for program crops.

Increased funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and reformed guidelines to provide both livestock and crop producers the assistance needed to meet current and emerging regulatory requirements.

A voluntary Environmental Incentive payment program for producers who adopt and continue conservation practices to address air and water quality, soil erosion and wildlife habitat.

Increased funding for and utilization of export enhancement programs.

Expansion of Risk Management Provisions.

Assistance for sugar producers to: eliminate the marketing assessment, eliminate the forfeiture penalty and rebalance loan rates.

Funding for an agricultural marketing equity capital fund for value-added enterprises.

The warning comes following a Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) press conference today confirming that the new strain of encephalitis was discovered in two crows found in Macomb and Oakland counties.

Officials with the Michigan Community Health and Agriculture departments, however, urged residents to remain calm since the disease has not been found in humans, and humans cannot contract the disease from infected horses or birds.

The disease - an infection of the brain contracted only through bites of infected mosquitoes - can cause fever and headache, and in rare acute cases, death.

While no human vaccine is available, Dr. Steven Halstead, an MDA equine and companion animal veterinarian, said a horse vaccine soon will be available under a conditional license. But the equine vaccine likely will be available mostly in eastern states where the disease has been present for a number of years. By next spring, he said, the vaccine might be more widely available in Michigan.

For now, horses around the state will be watched closely for the disease because they can be used as early surveillance tools - even though not all infected horses show signs of infection, Halstead said.

And despite a relatively low likelihood of infection at this point, Halstead said horse owners should take precautions, as should all humans.

First, officials recommend that mosquito-breeding areas be eliminated. For horse owners, that means changing the animal's water at least twice a week and eliminating standing water in shallow pools, ponds, tires, birdbaths and all other places where water may stand.

And while MDA will recommend that every horse in Michigan get vaccinated, Halstead said a consultation with a veterinarian should be the first step after mosquito-breeding grounds are eliminated.

"In the absence of the vaccine, horse owners can use deet-based mosquito repellents and move the horses inside at dawn and dusk," he said. "Also, a fan in the barn will help. Mosquitoes tend to have trouble flying in a wind, so that's a simple preventative measure."

Michigan State University's Animal Health Diagnostic Lab is presently testing suspect specimens for the disease and will speed testing once the new lab, presently under construction, is completed. The new screening lab will be able to handle larger numbers of suspects than other state labs, officials said.

West Nile virus is from a different family than other forms of encephalitis that have been present in Michigan for some time.

Earlier this month, MDA announced that three Kalamazoo County birds were infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), also known as "sleeping sickness." Like West Nile virus, EEE rarely causes death. The EEE vaccination does not protect against West Nile virus.

Updates will cover Johne's disease, bovine tuberculosis, scrapies and foot-and-mouth disease. A presentation on food safety and drug residues also is scheduled.

All meetings run from 7-9 p.m. The series kicks off Sept. 5 in Marlette at the Marlette Country Club, 2701 Gold Course Dr.

Remaining meetings are as follows: Sept. 11 at Jerry's Country Inn, 3360 Fairlane Ave. S.W., Grandville; Sept. 18 at Jackson County's MSU Extension office, 1679 Lansing Ave., Jackson; Sept. 25 at the Citizen's Bank community room, 201 E. Main St., Marion.

Seating is limited. For information call Allena Kristler at (517) 241-3252.

Contact: Ernie Birchmeier, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2024

During the past week the web site, which can be accessed at www.michiganfarmbureau.com/webcam, has recorded more than 1,000 "hits," or visits, from Internet users.

The Miracle of Life exhibit features live births of calves, chickens, lambs and piglets and is now in its eighth year. The exhibit runs through Sept. 3 at the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit. This is the first year images have been broadcast from the exhibit.

"We live in such a high-tech, modern world that we thought a web cam on our web site would be a valuable and popular way to share the Miracle of Life experience with people unable to make it to a state fair," said Deb Laurell, manager of the MFB Promotion and Education Department.

Last year in Detroit, the Miracle of Life exhibit housed the births of 12 calves, 22 lambs, 76 piglets, 32 ducks, about 300 chickens and nearly 100 Japanese quails.

Miracle of Life sponsors include MFB, along with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan/Blue Care Network and the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine.

Veterinarians from the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association and MSU veterinary students provide around-the-clock, on-site care for the expectant animals and newborns.

Contact: Deb Laurell, (800) 292-2680, ext. 3213

The Lake States region, which includes Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, exceeded its previous high of $1,570 set in 2000 with a value of $1,690 per acre, up 7.6 percent. The value of farmland in states bordering Michigan was: Wisconsin, $2,000 per acre; Ohio, $2,400 per acre; and Indiana, $2,450 per acre.

Michigan's cropland value rose 5 percent from the previous year to $2,100 per acre. The Lake States region saw a 7.3 percent increase to $1,610 per acre. The average value of cropland in the U.S. rose 3.4 percent during 2000 to a value of $1,540 per acre.

Michigan pasture values rose 3.7 percent from last year to $1,120 per acre. Michigan cropland cash rent was $60 per acre in 2001, unchanged since 1998. Cropland cash rent in the Lake States region increased $1 from last year to $73. The cropland cash rent in states bordering Michigan was: Wisconsin, $66 per acre; Ohio, $76 per acre; and Indiana, $100 per acre.

Contact: Jim Fuerstenau, (800) 292-2680, ext. 6550

Production estimates as of Aug. 1, 2001 show Michigan corn farmers expect a yield of 111 bushels per acre, down 13 bushels from last year. Soybean production is estimated at 78.8 million bushels (36 bushels per acre), 2 percent above the previous record of 74.9 million bushels set in 1999. Sugarbeets have an estimated yield of 18 tons per acre, a decrease of 3 tons from 2000. Winter wheat yield is projected at 66 bushels per acre, a decrease of 2 bushels from the July forecast and 6 bushels below last year's record yield of 72 bushels per acre.

Michigan apple growers expect to harvest 970 million pounds of apples, 14 percent above 2000 production. Some sizing concerns exist, though, due to lack of rainfall in July.

The state's grape growers expect to harvest 29,000 tons of grapes, down 67 percent from 2000 production and an expected record low.

Peaches have an expected harvest of 43 million pounds, down 9 percent from 2000. Pears have an expected harvest of 4,800 tons, down 8 percent from 2000.

Michigan plum growers anticipate harvesting 3,200 tons of plums, down 11 percent from 2000.

Contact: Bob Boehm, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023

Yoga and ice cream anyone? Pillsbury-owned Haagen-Dazs brand ice cream has launched a spoof "sensual eating" advertising campaign, according to just-food.com. The site parodies the current popularity of "sensual experiences" and "fulfillment through sensuality," offering visitors insight into yoga positions that complement ice cream. The Web site can be found at www.pathtojoy.com.

How sweet it is! Over the last few years, sugar-free candy sales have grown 60 percent from $54.4 million to $87.2 million by the end of 2000, according to Information Resources, Inc. Sugar-free chocolate grew by a whopping 261 percent in the past six years.

Bad habits are hard to break, particularly for American consumers. While 75 percent of U.S. adults know the health benefits of changing the way they prepare foods, only 49 percent say they have made the necessary changes, according to a recent trends survey by a food company. Of those not making changes, 80 percent do not want to alter the taste of their food; 50 percent do not want to change the "traditional" preparation of food; and 32 percent do not know what to substitute.