News

Michigan seeking disaster assistance

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is asking the USDA to declare Michigan as a disaster area and for more flexibility under the Federal Crop Insurance Program to help farmers facing one of the wettest years on record.

In a letter to Secretary Perdue, Whitmer says Michigan farmers are in a state of crisis because of extreme weather.  She’s asking USDA to allow farmers to plant or switch to forage or cover crops on prevented plant acres and to allow those fields to be grazed or harvested.  Whitmer also wants the $3 billion ag disaster assistance bill to consider farmers with excessive moisture or ponding.

Livestock producers have also been unable to harvest forages which Whitmer says has exacerbated low hay stocks.

Michigan received nearly 40 inches of rain between the beginning of May and end of April, the third wettest spring on record. 

Michigan Farm Bureau has issued an action alert to its members to urge USDA to allow for emergency provisions on prevent plant acres.  They’re also offering prevented planting educational meetings throughout the state.