Michigan

Another Chinese national has tried to smuggle biological materials into the U.S.  A Farm Journal report this week said the materials were related to roundworms and intended for studying at a University of Michigan laboratory.   This is the third Chinese national charged by the U.S. federal governme...

As we get closer to the conclusion of sugar beet plantings, nationally 91% of the crop is in the ground.   “ is  far ahead of the five-year average of 69% and slightly ahead of last year's 90%," noted USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.  "Sugar beet p...

While it’s just by the slightest of margins, the national planting progress when it comes to sugarbeets is officially past the 1/5 mark.  The latest numbers from USDA have plantings nationwide at 21%, which is slightly ahead of the five-year-average for this time of year at 20%, but behind last year’s 23%.   “Idaho has h...

Idaho senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo joined Nebraska’s Pete Ricketts Thursday in introducing the Securing American Agriculture Act.  They say the bill would secure critical agricultural supply chains and reduce America’s reliance on foreign adversaries like China.   “Allowing Communist China to seize control...

President Trump’s pick to head USDA, Brooke Rollins, was challenged at her Senate confirmation hearing last week on the impact President Trump’s threatened tariffs could have on the Ag community.  Michigan Democrat Elissa Slotkin told nominee Brooke Rollins that she’s likely to be confirmed as USDA Secretary and would swear an oath to the Constitution, not President Trump, and therefore would need

The U.S. Apple Association announced the newest members of its leadership development program, the NextGen Apple Fellowship, last week, and several come from the Northwest.  Those selected to participate in the 2025 class include:      Julieta Castillo -- Marketing Coordinator Superfresh Growers (Yakima, WA) Zachary Cohen -- Sales Cohen Produce Marketing (Shiremanstown, PA) William Gant -- Produc

Portland-based Morasch Meats is recalling its Northwest Naturals 2lb Turkey Recipe raw & frozen pet food, after samples tested positive for H5N1.  The Oregon Department of Agriculture say it was this pet food that led to the death of an indoor cat in Washington County.    “We...

New research launched this fall at Washington State University looks to help apple growers better understand how their trees respond to increasingly unpredictable cold snaps that freeze buds and destroy harvests.  Funded by an $850,000 grant from the USDA’s Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program, the four-state study led by WSU's Stefano Musacchi, will gather new data on dormancy in Gala, Honeyc

Four finalists have been selected in the 12th annual NCBA National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook.  The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is inviting the public to vote for the winner through November 15.   The four finalists are Jaci Dietrick of Oklahoma, Payton Goodman of Texas, Anah Higbie of Kansas, and Hayden Ladd of Michigan.   Video...

The recommission of a nuclear power plant in Michigan.  How is it connected to a USDA program?   “Over $1.3 billion in Inflation Reduction Act, investments that breaks down to over $650 million to Wolverine Power Cooperative and over $675 million to Hoosier Energy,” noted Agriculture Deputy Secretary, Xochitl Torres Small.     Under Rural Development’s...