Summer, as usual, has flown by. It has been great to see many of our Association’s members around the state and region during the past few months. Fall and winter are “prime time” for MABA events, and we get rolling this week, starting with the sold out Memorial Golf Outing in Ithaca, MI and the Outlook Conference on Mackinac Island.
We return to Lansing on Sept. 11 for the first Ag Club Breakfast of the fall, hosted by Harvest Solar, and have a variety of other upcoming activities. We encourage you to take a moment this holiday weekend to have a look at www.miagbiz.org/events for a full rundown of activities coming up!
Here are some notes and photos on our activities the past month in support of MABA members and Michigan agriculture:
Cohosting the 2024 AgroExpo Kickoff BreakfastMABA once again cohosted a kickoff Ag Club Breakfast at the 2024 AgroExpo,welcoming a key national dairy industry leader as the keynote presenter. International Dairy Foods Association President & CEO Michael Dykes spoke on Michigan’s robust dairy industry, the importance of Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives and the Dairy Nutrition Incentive program, the dietary guidelines process, HPAI, and building the next generation of leaders. We also heard from MDARD Director Tim Boring, Clinton County Catalyst Executive Director Tim Fair, Consumers Energy’s David Hicks and National FFA President, Michigan native Amara Jackson.We appreciate the support of AgroExpo, AgroLiquid, Clinton County Catalyst and Consumers Energy to make this event possible!
MABA delegation joins NASS lockupMABA once again partnered with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Services for the opportunity to be present for a U.S. Department of Agriculture-NASS Crop Report Lockup at USDA headquarters in Washington. This unique opportunity was made possible through close coordination with the NASS Great Lakes Field Office. Attending a lockup enables grain industry professionals to gain insight into both the methodology and process behind USDA reports, and the robust security measures in place for crop report releases. Attending from Michigan were leaders from with The Andersons, Inc.; Michigan Agricultural Commodities; MDARD; Cooperative Elevator Co. and Advance Trading, Inc.
Promoting awareness of treated seed in grainDuring the past year MABA has been made aware of several circumstances where treated seed found its way into grain delivered to elevators. Overall, farmers and grain handlers continue to do a great job of preventing this problem, but this month, ahead of the harvest season we issued a short update to grain handlers and farm organizations reminding all of the “Zero Tolerance” policy in place at elevators for treated seed in grain. You can view it here.Promoting safe practices on farms and at grain facilitiesMABA once again helped promote the National Grain and Feed Association’s fifth annual Harvest Safety Week. Each year at the end of August, NGFA dedicates a week to sharing safety resources particularly relevant to the busy harvest season. This year’s theme encouraged members to “Participate, Prepare, Protect,” by participating in sharing Harvest Safety Week resources, preparing for hazards during the harvest season and protecting the employees that “transform America’s harvest” into food, fuel and fiber. You can access safety resources any time at www.ngfa.org/safety.
MABA meets with Foreign Agricultural Service officialMichigan is proud to export billions in food and agricultural products globally each year, supporting jobs statewide. We appreciated today’s focus on exports from MDARD, and the opportunity to hear from U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service official Jim Suits in East Lansing. Mr. Suits discussed FAS’ ongoing efforts to create and sustain market opportunity abroad.
Looking out for the safety of pesticide applicatorsUpon learning of two reported incidents of individuals impersonating pesticide applicators in Michigan, MABA took action to send an alert to Michigan’s law enforcement and justice organizations. We wanted to be sure law enforcement officers and prosecutors are aware of this situation. Law enforcement did a great job of helping get the word out about this – for example, this message from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.
The MABA Educational Trust held its second annual fundraising trip to Pine Portage Lodge. 21 MABA members and partners participated this year, helping raise substantial additional funds for the MABA Educational Trust. We plan to continue this new activity in August 2025 and will send out dates soon. Last semester the Trust provided 16 scholarships to young people pursuing agricultural careers. Applications are open right now for next semester and close on October 1, 2024. Visit this link to learn more.
MABA President Chuck Lippstreu once again provided a political and policy update for the Advance Trading, Inc. Outlook Conference in Toledo. This is an important annual opportunity for MABA to meet with many of our members at an insightful meeting organized by ATI. We covered key policy topics from the past year, what might be ahead in Lansing in 2025, and of course provided some commentary about the election! PSA: As part of our effort to share information, I continue to join member meetings statewide and provide briefings in person, via Zoom or recorded video message. Just reach out to our office.
In the News
CCA Spotlight: Keith Leighton, CHS Inc.
MABA President Chuck Lippstreu discusses budget provisions
A Farm Bill extension simply isn’t enough (Brownfield)
Upcoming Events
Following the sold-out Memorial Golf Outing and Outlook Conference in early September, we will be hosting several virtual and in-person events:
September 11: Lansing Ag Club Breakfast
September 13: Virtual Briefing on Testing for Vomitoxin in Corn
October 9: Lansing Ag Club Breakfast
Visit www.miagbiz.org/events for more!
During the past year we have heard of several circumstances where treated seed found its way into grain delivered to elevators. Overall, farmers and grain handlers continue to do a great job of preventing this problem. However once it occurs, solutions are few. The best strategy is prevention on the front end!
Here are some important reminders on treated seed:
This message is available at www.miagbiz.org. Please feel free to contact the Michigan Agri-Business Association at any time with questions.
Brownfield Ag News today included an interview with MABA President Chuck Lippstreu focused on what’s included in Michigan’s FY25 budget. Following are highlights from the interview, lightly edited for length and clarity.
Audio and full interview details are available here from Brownfield.
On the recently signed budget:
“The big news in Lansing in the past few weeks has been approval and signature of the state’s budget for the next year. This is a really important milestone every year and we’re glad to see it get done.”
“This is important [to ensure] that the work of state government continues uninterrupted, and that our state government agencies and those who work very hard on our behalf every day have some certainty in terms of what programming will look like and budgets will look like for the coming year.”
On what’s in the MDARD budget: Farm to Family, climate research, HPAI response, produce prescriptions:
“As we zoom into the agricultural elements of the budget, this budget is a lot of things. For example, the budget includes a new Farm to Family program that focuses work on diversity of production and connecting people across the food value chain, connecting families and farmers and farm businesses…It funds research into agricultural climate resiliency, widely supported by Michigan agriculture that puts Michigan State University and MDARD in the driver’s seat in terms of conducting really important climate smart agriculture research…The budget invests in the response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, an emergent issue, something we all need to continue to be focused on.”
“It also has a number of programs to help promote fresh fruits and vegetables, things that we grow here in Michigan, and making sure that especially those who may struggle with access to fresh produce might have some new ways to get their hands on it. Specifically, the budget funds a new pilot program to try out what’s called a produce prescription program, just in one part of the state, but a model that’s worked in other places that we think could be very promising.”
On the governor’s veto of a new E15 rebate approved by the Legislature:
“Unfortunately, one thing this budget is not, it is not a pro-biofuel budget. That is not for lack of trying by legislators. In fact, our House Agriculture Committee chairwoman, Reggie Miller, helped lead the effort to create a new tax credit for the sale of E15 fuel, 15% ethanol blended fuel, at fuel stations around the state.”
“This would’ve been a small part of the budget, but a really important one. It would have benefited Michigan farmers by helping to cement strong markets for biofuel made from crops that are grown here on Michigan farms. It would’ve benefited the rural economy and rural businesses.
“This is [also] a cleaner burning fuel. It is a good move from an environmental perspective. Which is one reason why E15 has enjoyed bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats across virtually every upper Midwest state.”
“And importantly, it would’ve been a pro-consumer tax credit, making sure that families across the state, from our very biggest cities to our smallest towns, have the opportunity to fill up their tank with a higher ethanol blend.”
“From our perspective, it would’ve been a win-win-win, and so we were perplexed and disappointed when the governor made the decision to veto that tax credit…we hope going forward, that policymakers will refocus on the benefits of biofuels, whether it’s ethanol or biodiesel or sustainable aviation fuel, and work together with industry to be sure that Michigan is not left behind.”
Looking ahead on SAF
“The past two years have seen a number of very promising efforts to promote clean fuels production and use in our state, including legislation that would help incent the production and use and purchase of sustainable aviation fuel.”
“This is something that airlines are very focused on, that they view as a key future fuel source. Again, we’re in a situation where many other states have already taken some step, varying by state, to incent the production or purchase of sustainable aviation fuels for use in aircraft.”
“This is technology that’s mature, that works. It’s simply a question of airlines being able to meet growing demand to fuel the aviation fleet with sustainable fuels. This is demand that Michigan farmers and U.S. farmers can meet. At the same time, it’s important that Michigan not be left behind as other states take action to incentivize the production and use of these fuels.”
Go here for the full audio recording and story from Brownfield Ag News.
July was another busy month for our team at MABA as we continued with a full range of association activities, most notably the latest meeting of the MABA Leadership Program, while also planning for the packed fall and winter meeting season. We continue to encourage all members to visit www.miagbiz.org/events to be sure you are signed up for key upcoming events!
In addition, we would like to remind MABA members and all those in Michigan agriculture that we are hard at work planning the 2025 Winter Conference and Trade Show, January 7-8, 2025! We welcome your input on topics and speakers to spotlight at this special event. Trade Show Exhibitors should expect another sold out show! Signup information for the Trade Show will be released in August. Registration for the Winter Conference will open later in the fall.
Here is a rundown of a few of our activities during the past month:
Scholarship recipients announcedThe MABA Educational Trust proudly announced its latest round of Fall 2024 scholarship recipients, recognizing outstanding students pursuing careers in agriculture. These scholarships – funded by generous contributions from MABA members – are crucial in supporting future leaders and promoting innovation within our industry. You can find more details about the recipients and their achievements at this link. We encourage members to consider signing up for the Memorial Golf Outing, September 5 in Ithaca, to continue the strong support we continue to see for the Educational Trust!
Conversation with MDARD-PPPM officialIn mid-July, we hosted a conversation with PPPM Pesticide Section Manager Brian Verhougstraete. Brian regularly interacts with our association and members, and he joined us to provide overall updates on the work of the MDARD Pesticide Program. The conversation can be found at this link, and by searching Spotify and Apple. You can learn more about many of these topics at the MDARD Pesticide Section’s new website.
Leadership Program in DetroitThe MABA Agri-Business Leadership Program met in Detroit on July 23-24; we welcomed both our outgoing class for their final session together, and the incoming group comprising the 2024-25 class. During the two-day program, our group kicked things off with an Ag Club Breakfast at Eastern Market; visited the Consulate General of Canada in Detroit for an update on the Gordie Howe Bridge; and learned about the law enforcement community’s support for Michigan agriculture from staff of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the FBI. We also met with experts on the ag economy, urban agriculture and solar siting.
Our outgoing cohort of Leadership Program members includes Raegan Gembarski with Star of the West Milling Company; Rob Clark with Michigan Sugar Company; Eddie Fahley with Helena Agri-Enterprises; Melissa Carter with Caledonia Farmers Elevator; Jeff Leslie with Cooperative Elevator Co.; Alyssa Redding with Nutrien Ag Solutions Michigan; and Justin Edwards with Ackerman Marketing.
This year’s incoming group includes Nathan Greeley with Zeeland Farm Services, Inc. (ZFS); Joseph Bolle with Quality Roasting; Rex Thayer with Nutrien Ag Solutions; Gary Fritz with Cooperative Elevator Co.; Scott Krout with CF Industries; and Matthew Naeyaert with GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
Tour with U.S. Representative Jack BergmanAlongside MABA President Chuck Lippstreu, Rep. Jack Bergman (MI-01) took time to meet with several businesses involved in West Michigan agriculture, including leaders of King Milling Company, Joe Rasch Orchards, and Gold Coast Sales,LLC. We had informative discussions about the wheat milling business, the Michigan apple industry and the important role ag retail plays in farmers’ success. During his eight years in the U.S. House, Congressman Bergman has been a reliable partner for Michigan’s agricultural industry.
Advocacy
Michigan Governor Whitmer Uses Line-Item Veto to Eliminate E15 Incentive From Budget (DTN)
Whitmer vetoes Michigan ethanol sales incentive, drawing criticism from farming groups (MLive)
U.S. House bill would strengthen HPAI dairy resources (Brownfield Ag News)
August 13 – AgroExpo Kickoff Breakfast, St. Johns, MI
September 5 – Memorial Golf Outing, Ithaca, MI
September 6-8 – Outlook Conference, Mackinac Island, MI
September 11 – MABA Ag Club Breakfast, Lansing, MI
Visit www.miagbiz.org/events for information about these and other upcoming activities!
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