Farming

Due to the highly pathogenic avian influenza impacting several states but not yet found in Michigan, poultry and waterfowl exhibitions have been canceled throughout the state by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2015 to prevent the comingling of birds from different locations. This includes but is not limited to shows, exhibitions, swap meets, petting zoos at fairs, g

Freezing nights and warm days don’t just mean winter’s almost gone: they get maple tree sap running. I tried it once. Did you know Michigan ranks fifth in maple syrup production or that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup? Steam is probably billowing out of several sugar shacks in the county right now including my neighbors the Arnolds, the Nelsons and the Steckleys.

Here’s an update after state officials seized Lapeer Grain Company's grain dealer license last October. Press release from michigan.gov. At a March 5, 2015 meeting of the Farm Produce Insurance Authority (FPIA), the board approved 122 producer claims for $3,869,381 in farm produce losses resulting from the October 28, 2015 failure of Lapeer Grain Company (Lapeer Grain).

There will be a meeting for producers on Monday (11/10) at the Lapeer Township Hall from 4 PM – 6 PM about the status of Lapeer Grain Company after seizure notices were posted at all five elevators. The Michigan Department of Agriculture has suspended them from accepting produce in Lapeer, Imlay City, Capac Jeddo and Palms based on their inability to pay producers within certain time requirements.