4-19-2021

Soil Sampling – A Critical First Step to Maximize Profit Potential, Environmental Stewardship

For many across Michigan, soil sampling has become “second nature,” with farmers and their ag retail advisors recognizing the importance of having a solid view of a field’s nutrient profile to inform decision making.

With the growing season upon us, it is a good time to think about the latest soil testing practices and how they are used on fields, especially in terms of determining spring phosphorus and potassium application rates. Nutrient applications should be based on recent soil test data in order to match application rates with crop needs. Close attention to fertilizer management has a wide range of benefits; it helps maximize the economic return of fertilizers, and safeguards against nutrient losses from over-application.

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4-16-2021

2021 MABA Event Update

April 16, 2021 — MABA has been hard at work to plan a return to in-person activities this year. We recognize many events remain “up in the air” as a result of the COVID pandemic. However, with vaccines underway around the state, we are hopeful many MABA events will transition back to in-person activities as the year progresses.

Following are key updates on events and activities in the coming weeks. We encourage you to save the dates!

Lansing Ag Clubs: On Hold
Our breakfast events remain on hold, but will return as soon as it is feasible to do so. Our current Ag Club schedule is here. Please note that the May event will be reevaluated soon based on capacity limit orders from the State of Michigan.

Scholarship Golf Outing: June 22, 2021
The Scholarship Golf Outing supporting the MABA Educational Trust is scheduled for June 22, 2021 at the PohlCat Golf Course in Mt. Pleasant. We anticipate this will be a widely attended event! Registration and information is available here.

Outlook Conference: Dates Now September 16-18, 2021
For 2021, we fully anticipate the Outlook Conference proceeding! In a change from prior years, the event will begin with an opening reception at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island on Thursday, September 16 in the evening. Presentations will be scheduled for Friday morning, culminating with a special keynote lunch event and an evening reception on Friday, September 17. Additional sessions and adjournment will be Saturday, September 18. Additional details and registration will be sent in the coming weeks.

With questions, email maba@miagbiz.org.

4-12-2021

White House fact sheet shines a spotlight on Michigan’s rural infrastructure crisis

 LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) today pointed to new facts released by the federal government as the latest showcase of Michigan’s failing rural infrastructure, a crisis that threatens one of our state’s leading economic drivers and harms quality of life for rural families.

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4-6-2021

MDHHS reinstates 14-day close contact quarantine

April 6, 2021 — MDHHS has reinstated 14-day quarantines for those who have close contact with someone who has COVID-19. The change is included in an updated guidance document issued yesterday and available here.

The document reads (on page 13): Due to increasing case rates and variant spread in Michigan, MDHHS has reinstated a standard 14-day quarantine for close contacts of COVID-19 cases. This will remove the option of reducing quarantine to 10 days, effective April 5, 2020.

We continue to see COVID-19 case rates increase in Michigan, and many hospitals are once again reportedly reaching their capacity, including in rural areas. As of April 5, any Michigander age 16 and up is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit www.michigan.gov/covidvaccine for more information. Contact the MABA office if you have questions.