A Closer Look at Western Drought and Wildfires from Wyoming

On Monday, August 16, the federal government officially declared a “water shortage” at Lake Mead – the largest reservoir on the Colorado River on the Nevada-Arizona border.  Rather than shocking, the announcement has been a long-time coming. Water shortages in the Colorado River Basin are a common dinner-topic in my neck of the woods in Wyoming, one of 7 states that rely on the river system for drinking water and food production. 

IOWA LAW PROTECTING ANIMAL FACILITIES FROM ACTIVISTS LYING TO GAIN ACCESS UPHELD BY U.S. COURT OF AP

A recent federal court ruling will protect Iowa’s livestock industry from animal rights activists who lie to gain access to animal facilities.

Agricultural real estate values up 7% — largest increase since 2012

The most recent Land Values 2021 Summary report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service shows agricultural land values increasing at a rate not seen in nearly a decade. It also provides a glimpse of future production costs that farmers may face as they negotiate rental contracts this fall.

MiFarmLink Project to help develop, maintain Michigan farmers, farmland

A West Michigan project aims to bridge the succession planning gap for aging farmers.

And protect Michigan farmland, said Becky Huttenga, economic development coordinator for Ottawa County. The area’s latest effort is the MiFarmLink Project, which uses U.S. Department of Agriculture funds to support beginning and experienced farmers for the next generation.

Farm Credit System’s Young, Beginning, and Small farmer lending volume growing

The Farm Credit System’s Young, Beginning, and Small (YBS) farmer loan program showed strong growth in 2020 with total loan dollar volume and the total number of loans increasing, according to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA).

Cover Crops Spur New Ideas for Dairy Forages

A Michigan dairy farmer says after a cover crop trial this year he’ll be considering other forage options in rotations moving forward. 

MSU Extension releases new budgeting tool for all crops

MSU Extension offers a variety of planning tools, including various Crop Budget Estimators. These Microsoft Excel-based tools have previously been offered in versions for grain or forage crops. Now a new version offers planning assistance for all crops. Whether you raise fruits, vegetables, or small grains, the new “all crops” version offers a starting point for your budget planning needs. It highlights key decision areas to consider as you plan for and evaluate your growing season. 

Stabenow Confident Infrastructure Bill Will Pass

The Senate Ag Committee Chair says she’s confident the Senate infrastructure bill will pass as early as tomorrow, “I expect this piece to get all the way through and to the president’s desk and I expect the second part of the ‘Build Back Better’ agenda to get there as well.”

Farm Bureau asks members to contact Congress on broadband expansion

Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) is encouraging members to contact the state’s Congressional delegation to support two pieces of legislation aimed at increasing broadband expansion in rural communities.

“Alongside the American Farm Bureau Federation, we’re asking Congress to support the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (EBRIDGE) Act, which has been introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate, as well as the Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act in the U.S. House,” said John Kran, MFB’s national legislative counsel.

Funding aims to help heirs resolve land succession issues

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $67 million in competitive loans through the new Heirs’ Property Relending Program (HPRP), which aims to help agricultural producers and landowners resolve heirs’ land ownership and succession issues.