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
In the News
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)
Upcoming Events
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!
Michigan’s Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) program provides resources, continuing education and networking opportunities for professional agronomists spanning our state’s agricultural industry. Nearly 300 Michigan professional agronomists are CCAs, and they bring a wide range of experience and skills to our state’s agricultural industry. Today we are spotlighting Keith Leighton, a CCA with CHS Inc.
Keith Leighton, a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) with CHS Inc., is a great example of someone who followed an “unconventional” path in the agricultural industry, and who today is drawing on his agronomic expertise to make a difference across the region!
Although he grew up in Michigan agriculture being raised on a pig and cash crop farm in Decatur, MI, in Southwest Michigan, Keith followed a winding pathway into his current role. He initially studied electrical systems at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and started out a career in the construction industry. However, as with so many Americans, the 2008 recession impacted his industry and presented the opportunity for a career shift.
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