A DJI T40 spray drone.

High tech, AI, boost farm productivity, earnings

FARM TECHNOLOGY: New precision farming technologies, including AI, are making agriculture more efficient. We hear about it from a Farm Bureau board of directors member from Portland, two MSU researchers and the director of the state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. By Anish Topowala. FOR GREENVILLE, IONIA, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CORP! FARM NEWS, HOLLAND, OCEANA COUNTY AND ALL POINTS.

Rep. Kara Hope, D-Holt, is sponsoring legislation to tighten state oversight of labor contractors.

Advocates call for more protection of migrant farmworkers

FARMWORKERS: Advocates are calling for more protection for foreign temporary farmworkers with H-2A visas, who are essential to agriculture in the state. The Farm Bureau reports a jump in their numbers in Michigan. An Ottawa County blueberry farm is involved in a lawsuit accusing it of migrant labor law violations. We talk to the Farm Bureau, a Holt legislator and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, which has offices in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Detroit and Ann Arbor. By Owen McCarthy. FOR MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, HOLLAND, GREENVILLE, OCEANA, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CORP!, DETROIT, AND ALL POINTS.

Right to Repair bills still being debated in Michigan House

House Bill 4673, one of two “right to repair” bills currently being considered by Michigan legislators, is intended to make it easier for farmers and their independent mechanics to get access to parts, documentation and important software needed to restore the expensive machines back to full functionality. 

Some want Michigan to regulate septic tanks to protect water quality 

SEPTIC: Environmental groups are again pushing the Legislature to adopt a statewide sanitary code that would include mandatory inspections of septic systems. Leaking systems can contaminate groundwater, lakes and rivers, causing health problems and deterring water-related recreation. Sponsors include lawmakers from East Grand Rapids, Troy, Detroit, Holt, Walker, St. Joseph and Livonia. We talk to the Michigan Environmental Council, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and a Montmorency County homeowner with a septic tank. By Elijah Taub. FOR MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, MONTMORENCY, ALPENA, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, CHEBOYGAN, DETROIT, GREENVILLE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, FOWLERVILLE, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS AND ALL POINTS.

Feds warn Michigan to improve speed, accuracy of food assistance program

SNAP DELAYS: USDA has criticized Michigan for delays and errors in handling applications for SNAP food benefits for low-income residents. One result is increased demand on already-stressed food banks. Whitmer and the governors of neighboring Ohio and Indiana have received warning letters from Washington. We talk to the Food Bank Council of Michigan and the National Center for Budget and Policy. By Alex Walters. FOR DETROIT, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, HILLSDALE, COLDWATER, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, MONROE, BLISSFIELD, ADRIAN, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Lake trout and whitefish leather dyed with natural indigo.

Twenty companies pledge to use all parts of Great Lakes fish

USING FISH: Fish-leather purses and wallets may make their way into Great Lakes fashion with an initiative to use 100% of commercially caught fish by 2025. One of the latest projects is to fully use the region’s whitefish, lake trout, yellow perch, walleye and white sucker. Mackinaw City might be one research site. Companies in L’Anse, Detroit, Manistee and Munising participate. It also involves the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. We learn more from the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers. By Shealyn Paulis. FOR MONROE, ALPENA, ALCONA, ST. IGNACE, CHEBOYGAN, SAULT STE. MARIE, BAY MILLS, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU, LUDINGTON, OCEANA COUNTY, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, HOLLAND, MARQUETTE, IRON MOUNTAIN, PLANET DETROIT, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.

Howell pepper grower Ryan Karcher grows Friar’s Fury chilis in pots in his backyard.

Pepper wars: Howell grower disputes Pepper X’s record for world’s hottest pepper

PEPPER WARS: Guinness World Records recently announced that the world’s new hottest pepper is a veggie known as Pepper X, grown in South Carolina. But a veteran pepper grower from Howell questions Pepper X’s reported heat measurement. and says he’s developed a pepper that’s tastier and more representative of the pepper community. By Daniel Schoenherr. FOR FOWLERVILLE, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Health officials recommend owners check with a veterinarian if their dogs show symptoms of the “mystery” respiratory illness.

Caution urged for holiday travel with dogs due to virus

DOGS: Officials and veterinarians are worried about a “mystery” respiratory illness confirmed in more than a dozen states, including neighboring Indiana. They urge extra caution in the runup to heavy holiday travel. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the American Veterinary Medical Association offer advice. By Kelsey Lester. FOR STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.

Farm Bureau district director Jeff Sandborn grows 1,800 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat in Ionia County

High fertilizer costs hit Michigan farmers

FARM COSTS: Farmers have been hit by sharply higher fertilizer prices since the Covid-19 pandemic, with corn growers hit especially hard. A Farm Bureau economist and a farmer who represents Farm Bureau members in Barry, Kent, Ottawa and Allegan counties explain. By Stephanie Rauhe. FOR HOLLAND, WKTV, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, CORP! AND ALL POINTS.

Thumb counties hit by high colorectal cancer rates

CANCER: Residents of Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola counties in the Thumb have a disproportionately high rate of colorectal cancer, including a higher death rate, a new study finds. Risk factors include obesity, smoking, age and an “unhealthy food environment.” Elsewhere, the lowest rate was in Houghton County, followed by Emmet, Mason, Ottawa and Ontonagon counties, Wexford and Mecosta counties were among those with the lowest rates. The highest rate was in Montmorency County, followed by Clare, Gratiot, Oscoda and Osceola counties. Gogebic, Alger and Baraga counties were among those with the highest rates. Study done by MSU faculty and a Grand Rapids physician. By Eric Freedman. FOR CLARE, LUDINGTON, HOLLAND, WKTV, MONTMORENCY, MARQUETTE, CADILLAC, BIG RAPIDS, IRON MOUNTAIN, BAY MILLS AND ALL POINTS.