The discovery has the potential to reduce reliance on antibiotics and ultimately help combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance in both humans and animals, said Adrian Barragan, associate research professor and extension veterinarian at Penn State and co-lead author on the paper.

The findings are particularly significant for the organic dairy industry where antibiotic use is restricted, he added, and may also pave the way for future studies in humans on the use of sugar-based formulations for uterine infections such as endometritis.

“The disease is an infection of the uterus that occurs after calving and it’s one of the top diseases that affect dairy cattle in the United States,” said Erika Ganda, assistant professor of food animal microbiomes at Penn State and co-lead author on the study. “We treat cows with antibiotics only when necessary to ensure their welfare, following strict withdrawal periods to prevent residues in milk. Minimizing antibiotic use helps reduce the risk of resistant bacteria that can impact farm workers, families and communities. Antimicrobial resistance in human and veterinary medicine is a growing public health concern, so the main goal of this research was to test an antibiotic-free alternative option against the current gold standard for treating this prevalent disease.”

The study compared two treatments for a common uterine infection, called clinical metritis, that can lead to serious health problems for dairy cows. The condition is typically treated using systemic antibiotics, like ceftiofur, which are effective in treating the condition, but may contribute to the growing antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals.

“We have been searching for alternative therapies that can effectively treat metritis without relying on antibiotics,” Barragan said. “We asked two main questions when studying an alternative: Do the animals get cured with this treatment? And do treated animals have similar performance? Although the alternative treatment had the same clinical cure rate as the antibiotics, the answer wasn’t as clear cut as expected since performance between treatment groups differed based on disease severity.”

The study focused on using intrauterine dextrose, a sugar solution, as a possible alternative treatment. Dextrose has been extensively studied in animal and human clinical research for its ability to plasmolyze harmful bacteria, essentially the strong sugar solution pulls water out of the bacteria, causing them to dry out and die, Barragan explained. The approach had shown some promise in human wound healing, but previous studies in cattle yielded mixed results.

“We were hopeful that we would find positive results, but we were definitely not expecting to find that both treatments worked similarly for mild cases of metritis,” Barragan said. “That was a very exciting discovery.”

To investigate the effectiveness of dextrose, the researchers conducted a study on a dairy farm in central Pennsylvania. They enrolled 77 cows diagnosed with clinical metritis and randomly assigned them to one of two treatment groups: intrauterine dextrose or systemic ceftiofur. The researchers then monitored the cows’ recovery and analyzed their uterine microbial communities using advanced DNA sequencing to better understand the overall health of their microbiomes.

Although the sample size was not ideal for assessing clinical cure rate, Barragan said, the results suggested that both treatments had similar clinical cure rates, meaning dextrose could be just as effective as antibiotics in treating mild metritis cases.

Additionally, the analysis of the cows’ microbiomes revealed that dextrose does not significantly disrupt the bacterial balance of bacteria in the reproductive tract, unlike antibiotics, which can alter microbial communities and potentially impact the long-term health of the cow, Ganda explained.

Further research is needed to understand the full potential of dextrose as an alternative to antibiotic treatment, Barragan said, but one day that potential could even extend to treating humans.

“Our findings may be applicable for reproductive disease in human medicine,” he said. “In fact, we were inspired by medical literature and sugar-based wound treatments for people.”

The other Penn State authors on the paper are Jennine Lection, who earned a doctoral degree from Penn State and is currently an assistant professor at North Carolina State University; Emily Van Syoc, postdoctoral scholar; Asha Miles, former postdoctoral research associate who is currently a research geneticist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); Julia Hamilton, undergraduate student; Marcela Martinez, research technologist; and Justin Silverman, assistant professor of statistics and of medicine and faculty fellow of the Institute for Computational and Data Science. Santiago Bas of the Germany-based feed company Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH also contributed to the paper.

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hatch Appropriations, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and the National Institutes of Health funded this research.

–Adrienne Berard
Penn State

The post New Treatment for Dairy Cows Could Help Fight Antibiotic Resistance, Study Finds appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

Other key findings in the report were:

• Of the 75.8 million hogs and pigs, 69.8 million were market hogs, while 6.00 million were kept for breeding.
• Between September and November 2024, 35.2 million pigs were weaned on U.S. farms, up 2% from the same time period one year earlier.
• From September through November 2024, U.S. hog and pig producers weaned an average of 11.92 pigs per litter.
• U.S. hog producers intend to have 2.93 million sows farrow between December 2024 and February 2025, and 2.95 million sows farrow between March 2025 and May 2025.
• Iowa hog producers accounted for the largest inventory among the states, at 24.6 million head. Minnesota had the second largest inventory at 9.50 million head. North Carolina was third with 8.20 million head.

To obtain an accurate measurement of the U.S. swine industry, NASS surveyed 6,046 operators across the nation during the first half of December. The data collected were received online through NASS’s Respondent Portal, by mail, telephone and through face-to-face interviews.

The Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report and all other NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov.

–USDA NASS

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“We encourage hunters to take those opportunities,” said Andrew Vermeesch, legislative counsel for Michigan Farm Bureau. “Some of those opportunities include this additional pilot firearm season for the southern Lower Peninsula, which includes a discounted fee of $5 per license.”

Until Jan. 1, 2025, hunters can participate in late-antlerless firearm season on public and private lands in the Lower Peninsula. (See page 9 of the Deer Hunting Regulations Summary for a map of open deer management units.) During this season, a hunter may harvest an antlerless deer with an unused single deer license (including the license issued through the Mentored Hunting Program), deer combo license (regular and/or restricted tags), universal antlerless license or deer management assistance permit if issued for the area/land where hunting.

Michigan hunters can also participate in late-segment archery season through Jan. 1 on public and private land. Changes to antlerless harvest have occurred in the Upper Peninsula. Antlerless hunting with archery equipment on the single deer license and deer combo license is prohibited after Dec. 10 for units 027, 036, 152, 252, 021, 349, 249, 017, 117 and 149. Antlered hunting with archery equipment can continue through Jan. 1 in these units. (See page 14 of the Deer Hunting Regulations Summary for the Upper Peninsula antler point restrictions chart.)

The extended antlerless season starts Jan. 2 and ends Jan. 12 for Allegan, Barry, Bay, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Mecosta, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, and Ottawa counties.

“Managing the deer population is crucial, and hunting remains the primary tool we must have to keep numbers in check,” Vermeesch said. “Antlerless seasons are another tool to combat deer overpopulation and rampant crop damage experienced by farmers.”

Harvest reporting

Deer hunters are required to report a successful harvest within 72 hours or before transferring possession of the deer (to another person, a processer or taxidermist). Reporting your harvest takes about three minutes and provides critical information for managing Michigan’s deer herd.

Find the Deer Hunting Regulations Summary and report your harvest at Michigan.gov/Deer.

For more information on firearm deer season, hunting safety, lands open to hunting, and hunting regulations, visit Michigan.gov/Hunting.

For those interested in a hunting lease, visit Michigan Farm Bureau’s website.

— Michigan Farm Bureau

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As of Dec. 23, 2024, that nationwide injunction is no longer enforceable, and the BOI reporting requirements of the CTA have been reinstated. The Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a temporary stay on the nationwide injunction. The Fifth Circuit found that the government made a strong showing that it is likely to succeed in proving that the CTA is constitutional. The court explained that Congress exercised its broad authority under the Commerce Clause to pass the CTA, aiming to regulate the anonymous ownership and operation of businesses that constitute an “economic class of activities” significantly affecting interstate commerce. Consequently, the court determined that the reporting requirement for such businesses is within the scope of the Commerce Clause.

The court further concluded that “a last-minute injunction of a statute proposed and passed by the people’s representatives inevitably causes irreparable harm.” Additionally, the court determined that the burden on businesses required to report is minimal. When weighed against the “public’s urgent interest in combatting financial crime and safeguarding national security,” the court found that a stay of the injunction was justified.

Following the Fifth Circuit’s ruling, the Department of the Treasury issued an alert on the FinCEN website acknowledging that reporting companies may require additional time to comply with the CTA due to the period when the preliminary injunction was in place. As a result, the reporting deadlines have been extended as follows:

• Reporting companies established or registered before January 1, 2024, now have until January 13, 2025, to submit their initial BOI reports to FinCEN. (Previously, these companies were required to report by January 1, 2025).
• Reporting companies formed or registered in the United States on or after September 4, 2024, and before December 3, 2024, have until January 13, 2025, to submit their initial BOI reports to FinCEN.
• Reporting companies formed or registered in the United States between December 3, 2024, and December 23, 2024, have an additional 21 days beyond their original filing deadline to submit their initial BOI reports to FinCEN.
• All reporting companies created or registered in the United States on or after January 1, 2025, have 30 days to file their initial BOI reports with FinCEN.

So, what does it all mean? 

If your farm business is registered in Ohio, compliance with the CTA’s reporting requirements is once again mandatory. While farm businesses now have a slight extension to meet the BOI reporting requirements, it is probably best practice not to delay too long.

This situation is unfolding quickly. This case may still undergo further review by the Fifth Circuit or potentially reach the Supreme Court of the United States. Additionally, several other federal courts are currently evaluating challenges to the CTA. We will make every effort to keep you informed promptly as the situation develops.

— Jeffrey K. Lewis, Esq., Program Coordinator, Income Tax Schools
Ohio State University CFAES

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I hope all of you will be able to look back on the year’s greatness. Put your pencil to paper as you consider all you learned from 2024; some very important lessons were sprinkled in there.

To give time for reflection and enjoyment this holiday season, we will not be sending out our daily emails the week between Christmas and New Year’s. The Morning Ag Clips’ daily email will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

There will still be news articles published on our site, so make sure to stay up-to-date by going to morningagclips.com. Every day there will be something new, and there will be an editor watching for breaking ag news every day. But like you, we all need a break, and the only way to get it is to be extremely intentional about it, so we are!

Here’s to you, your family, and a prosperous and healthy New Year! We will see you in 2025!

With love,
Kate

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I expect the January Cattle Inventory report to show some additional liquidation has occurred leading to a smaller calf crop in 2025. It seems most likely that the summer of 2026 is the soonest substantial national heifer retention may begin. While there is recently elevated uncertainty around international trade that should not be overlooked, most anticipate domestic beef availability to decline perhaps by 2-3% per year (per person) in 2025 and 2026.

Given this setting and the opportunity for some extended armchair-pondering around the holidays, some context on economic concepts and an important historical reminder is prudent. Economists analyzing the beef industry use the term “demand” to refer to the willingness and ability to buy beef at a specific price. A change in beef demand is not triggered by changes in beef prices but rather by consumer income or wealth adjustments, changes in prices of other goods, or perceptions of beef quality evolving. To this later point, the clear improvement in overall beef quality (simple example is Prime or Upper Choice percentage versus past decades) has been core to beef demand growth (see K-State demand indices here: https://agmanager.info/livestock-meat/meat-demand/monthly-domestic-meat-demand-indices-usdabls-data/monthly-domestic-0 ).

As we turn to 2025 it is important to pause and connect the dots around things such as current feedlot supplies, future breeding herd size and corresponding beef availability, and what one may expect at the retail and food service level. Yes, lower beef supplies are expected and with that, most anticipate higher end-user beef prices. In fact, the industry should be hoping for that! Research with Melissa McKendree, Ted Schroeder, and Nathan Hendricks (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1093/ajae/aaz034 ) shows that feeder cattle sellers stand to gain the most when beef demand grows, and lose the most when demand falters.

If alternatively, lower beef availability is observed in conjunction with flat or lower beef prices, then beef demand clearly declined. In that unfortunate situation, economic viability for most in the industry also declines. While some younger market participants may dismiss this scenario, recall the 1980s & 90s was a period largely characterized by a shrinking herd, weakening beef demand, and overall decline in industry vitality. Indeed, lower beef volumes alone do not guarantee higher beef nor cattle prices. This experience is worth periodic reflection as the industry has made massive improvements that should not be overlooked or taken for granted. To the extent that beef prices increase reflecting stable or growing beef demand that indeed is a market outcome that should not only “be allowed” but encouraged. While the term “demand destruction” is likely to appear more in coming months, industry stakeholders are encouraged to take pause and in fact hope that higher prices develop reflecting stable or growing beef demand.

Finally, and most importantly I wish all readers a Merry Christmas, the ability to see the true reason for the season, and a joyous New Year.

— Glynn T. Tonsor, Ph.D., Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University

The post In the Cattle Markets: Dec. Cattle on Feed Report & Cautionary Note on “Demand Destruction” appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

“Whether you’re working in the food service industry, gathering with co-workers, family and friends at area restaurants to celebrate the season, or hosting holiday parties in your home, it’s important to keep foodborne illness off the menu,” said Boring. “Worldwide Food Service Safety Month emphasizes the importance of proper food handling, preparation, and storage in preventing foodborne illnesses. With the holiday season in full swing, it’s a reminder for everyone to prioritize food safety practices.”

Every year, millions of people are affected by foodborne illnesses, many of which are preventable with safe food handling practices. During this month, when holiday gatherings and meet-ups at favorite restaurants add to the celebration of the season, individuals and food service professionals are encouraged to place even more emphasis on ensuring food safety.

“We don’t want anyone’s holiday celebrations to be impacted by foodborne illness, so restaurant inspectors from local public health offices around the state work hard to make sure everyone has a safe experience when they go out to eat,” said Norm Hess, Executive Director of the Michigan Association for Local Public Health. “The same basic food safety principles and practices used at restaurants can help us all safely serve family and friends around the holidays.”

To help reduce the risk of contamination, follow these essential food safety tips:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before handling food, between food preparation tasks, and after handling raw meats or eggs.
2. Cover cuts or wounds on your hands or wrists with a bandage and food safe gloves to prevent contamination.
3. Clean and sanitize surfaces before, during, and after food preparation to eliminate harmful bacteria.
4. Wash fruits and vegetables under warm running water to remove dirt and potential pathogens.
5. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw and cooked foods separate and using clean utensils for each.
6. Cook meats to the right temperature using a food thermometer to ensure they are safe to eat.

Food safety is a team effort. By following safe practices in both professional and home kitchens, we can significantly reduce the risks of foodborne illnesses and ensure a safer dining experience.

For more information on food safety guidelines, updates, and resources, visit www.foodsafety.gov or www.michigan.gov/foodsafety.

— Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

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Some of those questions will include:

• Soybean seeding rate continues to be a very important topic for farmers according to grower surveys.  Trials were conducted over 7 years at 66 locations from 2015 to 2021, and 11 additional sites were included in 2024.  What seeding rates produced the highest yields, and which were most profitable?
• Early planting date had been studied in on-farm trials from 2019 to 2023 at 14 locations, but in 2024 we included two maturity groups at two planting dates.  Did a longer maturity group variety do better at either planting date?
• Yield was significantly higher at 8 of 10 locations in 2023 when Delaro Complete was applied at R3 for a “plant health” effect.  The same trial was conducted at 11 locations in 2024 — did we find the same yield differences?

Michigan Soybean Committee and Michigan State University Extension invite soybean growers and agribusinesses to attend regional meetings in January 2025 to hear results of the 2024 soybean on-farm research projects. Participants will learn about historical climate trends that are impacting our growing season in Michigan. They will also have an opportunity to provide input into the research projects to be conducted in 2025. Time will be available for questions and discussion.

When and where:

• January 3 (Southeast Michigan): Lenawee Christian Center Auditorium, 111 Wolf Creek Hwy, Adrian, MI 49221 (part of the Center for Excellence Crop Day)
• January 9 (Central Michigan): AgroLiquid, 3055 M-21, St. Johns, MI 48879
• January 14 (Bay region): Uptown North Main, 975 N Main St., Frankenmuth, Michigan 48734
• January 15 (Thumb region): Beagio’s Pizza, 5795 Sanilac Rd., Kingston, MI 48741
• January 21 (Southwest Michigan): GreenMark Equipment, 16700 Heimbach Rd., Three Rivers, MI 49093
• January 22 (West Michigan): Zeeland Farm Services Inc., 2525 84th Ave., Zeeland, MI 49464

Time:  All programs begin with registration at 9 a.m. (except Adrian which will begin at 8 a.m.)

Agenda:  The following agenda is for all locations (except Adrian which will follow the Center for Excellence Crops Day agenda)

• 9 a.m. Registration and coffee
• 9:15 a.m. Soybean Checkoff and Association Updates — Local Michigan Soybean Committee/Association board members
• 9:30 a.m. 2024 Soybean On-farm Research Trial Results — Eric Anderson, MSU Extension Soybean Educator
• 10:40 a.m. Break
• 11 a.m. Climate Trends and Agricultural Impacts in the Great Lakes Region — Jeff Andresen, MSU Climatologist
• 11:45 a.m. Identify Potential 2025 Research Projects and Discussion — Mark Seamon and Eric Anderson
• 12:15 p.m. Complimentary lunch (courtesy of Michigan Soybean Committee)
• 1 p.m. Credits, evaluation and adjourn

Cost and registration:  Through farmer investments in the soybean checkoff, Michigan Soybean Committee is pleased to partner with MSU Extension and cover all meeting costs. However, pre-registration is requested to ensure an accurate count for lunch and materials. You can register online by clicking the link below. For help registering for any of the regional meetings, call the St. Joseph County Extension office at 269-467-5511. Please pre-register seven days prior to the date for each location.

Register for Michigan Soybean On-Farm Research Update Meetings

(https://events.anr.msu.edu/SoybeanResearchUpdate2025)

Credits:  This program has been approved for two pesticide applicator recertification (RUP) credits. Credits in Adrian will be offered by the Center for Excellence.

Coming soon to a mailbox near you…

Each year the Michigan Soybean On-Farm Research Report is published, printed and mailed to over 9,000 soybean farmers throughout Michigan.  The 2024 edition should be arriving in mailboxes around the first week of January.  The report includes all information that will be presented at the regional meetings along with a few “bonus feature” articles.

If you are not a soybean farmer in Michigan but would like to read the results from the 2024 season—or if you want to review results from the past several years—you can view the reports online(https://www.michigansoybean.org/on-farm-research.html) by visiting the Michigan Soybean Committee website and clicking on On-Farm Research under the For Farmers tab.

— Michigan State University Extension

The post Michigan Soybean On-Farm Research Results Available in January appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) President and CEO Barbara O’Brien pointed to a collective effort of national and local teams that delivered results this year.

“The checkoff is working, and we have achieved a lot in building the next chapter of our history,” said O’Brien, who outlined “now, next and future” checkoff strategies at this year’s joint annual meeting. “This success was made possible by the dedication and hard work of everyone across the checkoff federation. This was a strong year of results as we continue to work with and through others to catalyze action against our trust- and sales-building priorities.”

Checkoff-led highlights from 2024 include:

Increasing Dairy Access in Schools

A partnership provided hot chocolate milk to students during a pilot with Chartwells K12, which serves more than 2 million meals daily at 700 school districts. National Dairy Council (NDC) and Chartwells launched the Hot Chocolate Milk program in 58 schools, which features hot chocolate milk – with toppings such as cinnamon and peppermint – served during breakfast and lunch.

Another school pilot offered lactose-free chocolate milk and increased consumption and reached students who weren’t drinking milk because of real or perceived lactose intolerance. NDC and American Dairy Association Mideast worked with Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) to offer the country’s first single-serve lactose-free chocolate milk program. When compared to the rest of the district, the pilot schools experienced a 16-percent increase in milk consumption. The pilot was so successful that CPS is offering lactose-free chocolate milk in all schools.

Partnerships Growing Sales

The checkoff’s longstanding strategy of working with and through powerful partners continues to deliver results. For example, the checkoff supported Domino’s with its launch of cheese-centric items, including the New York Style Pizza and five-cheese mac and cheese.

This strategy of working with pizza partners also continues to find success internationally, a key tactic to reach the 95% of the world’s population that lives outside of the United States. DMI’s partnership with Pizza Hut Japan led to the chain announcing a permanent 30% increase of cheese use on all pizzas.

Other partnership innovations included working with General Mills to create YoBark, a yogurt-based snack designed to give families a tasty option and expand yogurt’s presence in the snacking category.

Sharing The Science of Dairy

One emerging research area is dairy’s impact on the first 1,000 days of life – encompassing pregnancy through a child’s second birthday. This is a critical period for brain development, which is impacted by nutrition and dairy can significantly support cognitive development, thanks to nutrients including iodine and choline. Checkoff organizations nationally and locally teamed with MilkPEP to elevate awareness and understanding of dairy’s contributions with expecting mothers and parents seeking nutrition guidance.

NDC also showed its ability to convene thought leaders when it hosted more than 100 national and international health and wellness experts for a two-day scientific conference addressing the dairy matrix, the concept of exploring the unique nutrient, non-nutrient and molecular compositions of dairy foods. Among the meeting attendees were representatives and speakers from major health professional organizations leading universities and organizations.

Supporting Dairy’s Sustainability Legacy

 The checkoff is focused on deepening its knowledge and attracting the investment in research on practices and technologies that work from a mitigation standpoint, and tools and resources to support adoption. DMI is tracking more than $29 million in additional investment from partners for pilot projects and research that empower sustainability action. One example is the Greener Cattle Initiative, a collaboration which announced a second round $5 million funding for enteric methane mitigation research.

The checkoff launched the Dairy Conservation Navigator, a resource hub designed to provide farm advisors, stakeholders and conservation professionals with science-based information on sustainable practices and technologies. Checkoff scientists and others developed a list of 80-plus practices that have a positive environmental benefit.

Checkoff Sparking Innovation

 The checkoff showcased dairy innovation and its nutrition package to 70,000 people attending Natural Products Expo West, the leading trade show in the natural, organic and healthy products industry. DMI unveiled its www.InnovateWithDairy.com tool, which serves as a one-stop shop for anyone seeking information about dairy innovation.

DMI also kept its focus on future innovators with its New Product Competition. A University of Minnesota team took first with a creamy Norwegian-style, whey-based cheese spread.

More checkoff results, including financial reports, can be found at www.dairycheckoff.com.

About Dairy Management Inc.

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is funded by America’s more than 26,000 dairy farmers, as well as dairy importers. Created to help increase sales and demand for dairy products, DMI and its related organizations work to increase demand for dairy through research, education and innovation, and to maintain confidence in dairy foods, farms and businesses. DMI manages National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association, and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council, and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.

–Dairy Management Inc.

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The federal program works to enhance and support the competitiveness of the nation’s specialty crops. Funding is contingent on approval and passage of the federal Farm Bill.  Grant proposals must be submitted in the MiAgGrants System by 5:00 p.m. on February 6, 2025.

An informational webinar will take place on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 9 a.m. Visit the website for the link, no preregistration is required.

The grants have a maximum award of $100,000 for research proposals and $125,000 for marketing, training, and education proposals. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. A full list of specialty crops can be found on USDA’s website.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Funding Priorities

• Market enhancement to promote specialty crops
  • Market expansion, availability, and access to specialty crops
  • Consumer Marketing Campaigns
  • Feasibility Surveys
  • Economic Impact Studies
  • Farm to institution, including but not limited to restaurants, food service, grocery stores, schools and institutions.
• Research and development relevant to specialty crops
  • Plant health & pest management
  • Farm sustainability
• Training & education addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers
  • Enhancing food safety
  • Consumer Awareness Education to increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Conservation
  • Workforce and labor across the supply chain

Acceptable proposal activities include but are not limited to promotion, marketing, research, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, increased knowledge and consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, good agricultural practices, good handling practices, and good manufacturing practices.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, local, state, and federal government entities, and for-profit organizations. The organizations must be legal entities recognized by the Internal Revenue Service, and applicants must reside and/or conduct their business in Michigan. Proposals should demonstrate how the project will potentially produce measurable impacts for the specialty crop industry as a whole and not benefit only a specific product or a single organization, institution, or individual.

Those interested in applying for the grant program should visit the program website for additional details. All applications must be submitted through the MiAgGrants System. The grants are contingent on USDA’s approval of federal funding expected in February 2025.

For more information on this and other MDARD grants, visit www.Michigan.gov/MDARDGrants.

— Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

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