Happy National Ag Day and National Ag Week! MABA marks the occasion with other ag groups; COVID-19 vaccinations are on the rise; infrastructure is the next big priority
Wednesday at 10:30 AM, MABA will join the Michigan Farm Bureau and Greenstone Farm Credit Services in highlighting agriculture before the Michigan House Agriculture Committee.Details and a streaming link are here.
Infrastructure keeps making news: The Biden Administration is reportedly eyeinga major (to the tune of $3 trillion) legislative push to invest in infrastructure, and many of its other priority areas.
News and Updates from MABA
Good afternoon and Happy Ag Week! It’s a great opportunity to celebrate Michigan’s unique agriculture sector – the second most-diverse in America in terms of the crops and commodities we produce – along with the farmers and businesses that are the backbone of our industry. #NationalAgDayhas all sorts of videos and facts today.
COVID cases are increasing again in Michigan, but death rates are lower, a phenomenon experts are attributing to widespread vaccination among older people in the state. “The most vulnerable people for COVID-19 infection have sort of been taken out of the risk category because of immunizations,” said Dr. Richard Van Enk at Bronson Health Care Group. Here’s more.
We are quickly nearing the time when anyone 16 and older in Michigan will be eligible for a vaccine. State officials have encouraged people to register with their county health department and pharmacies. Our MABA news page on this topic is here.
In other COVID-19 news, the recently-passed stimulus bill will increase monthly food assistance benefits for some Americans. USDA announced Monday it will increase SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, by 15 percent through funds from the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill.
The Biden Administration is still reviewing current USDA farm programs, and more news about their future is likely in April. DTN’s Chris Clayton writes, “Farmers waiting to hear about aid programs from USDA likely will have to wait until April for the Biden administration to complete reviews and release funds…[the Biden USDA] is still reviewing the last farm aid programs initiated by the Trump administration, as well as developing the programs that will come from two separate aid packages -- the aid bill from last December and the new aid package passed earlier this month. Here’s more.
For the fifth time in the past six months, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed above growth neutral. According to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy, the index increased to its highest level since launching the survey in January 2006. Here are the latest survey results.
Agricultural Economic Insights (AEI) released a paper on U.S. irrigation trends. It notes a high percentage of U.S. irrigation is conducted in a relatively small number of states, and examines trends overall. More discussion from AEI is here.
National ag groups have flagged the deteriorating trade relationship with Mexico for USDA Secretary Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. The groups cited a ban on glyphosate and genetically modified corn by Mexico, increased obstacles to dairy trade, an organic export certification requirement, a state-sponsored campaign disparaging U.S. corn sweeteners, and a cessation of review and approval of biotechnology applications, among other things. Here’s the letter.
Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern Railways announced a merger that the two say will “create the first rail network connecting the U.S., Mexico and Canada” and connect more than 300 elevators along the way. There’s a special website announcing the move.
Road construction season is underway, and the new bonding process announced by the state last year will help back additional projects. The state announced 21 initial state highway projects that are starting as part of MDOT’s 2021 construction season. These projects are a blend of those previously funded through the department's budget, as well as several supported by the new Rebuilding Michigan bonding program.
We continue to hear about issues with Secretary of State appointment scheduling. These delays appear related to last week's computer changes. Please email [email protected] if you are running into system crashes and issues. While we cannot process requests the same way we did in 2020, this helps us communicate to the SOS.
There are still opportunities to secure RUP and CCA credits you may need! The extended deadline for 2020 credentials is June 30, 2021. Credits are available via:
