Midwest
Stress task force offering help to struggling Ohio farmers
The persistent spring rain created Ohio's worst planting year on record. So much is out of a farmer’s control. Weather. Commodity prices. A hike in international tariffs on American agricultural goods that has diminished demand... more »
Northwest Michigan reviews pre-harvest considerations, vineyard research update
The Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center’s research vineyard will be the site on Aug. 23, from 2-4 p.m. for a meeting on pre-harvest considerations and new developments for the center’s viticulture research and Extension. Specific topics... more »
Midwest farmland values reported down slightly in second quarter
AgLetter reports farmland values in the Seventh Federal Reserve District were down 1 percent in the second quarter of 2019 from a year earlier. Values for “good” agricultural land in the District were unchanged from... more »
Address American brown rot in sweet cherry orchard systems
American brown rot, Monilinia fructicola, caused significant economic damage in sweet cherry orchards in Michigan this season. While we spend time and effort every season discussing fungicide strategies, the difficult reality is that the American brown... more »
MDARD plans 2019 China trade mission
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) will conduct its fourth annual Trade Mission to China, Nov. 8-12, 2019. This year, MDARD will take Michigan food and agriculture companies to Guangzhou, Chengdu, and... more »
Van Doren Sales, Compac open Michigan facility
Fruit packing equipment company Van Doren Sales and its partner Compac Tomra have a heavy concentration in the Pacific Northwest, but they recently opened a new facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ... more »
MSU Extension, media reports optimistic about Michigan blueberry harvest
Blueberry harvest continues in Michigan. According to a July 30 report from Michigan State University Extension Fruit Educator Mark Longstroth, growers were still harvesting Bluecrop and other early midseason varieties. Harvest of Jersey has begun. Hand-harvest crews... more »
Ag labor firm AgHelp receives support to expand services
Agtech company AgHelp (aghelpusa.com) has been accepted into the 2019 Techstars Impact Accelerator Program. According to a news release, AgHelp has built a marketplace for agricultural employers, workers, and support services to connect on any... more »
