MSU Extension Agriculture

News

• Food Code may bring changes to farmer’s markets

  Published on July 29, 2014
  With the adoption of the 2009 Food Code, some changes in produce handling may be necessary at farmer’s markets. If you sell lettuce and other leafy greens, you might want to consider changes in handling to ensure quality and legal compliance.

• Best practices for food safety when handling greens

  Published on July 29, 2014
  Risk of foodborne illness in leafy greens can’t be eliminated, but there are steps growers and farm marketers can do to reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses in leafy greens.

• Michigan spotted wing Drosophila report for July 29, 2014

  Published on July 29, 2014
  Spotted wing Drosophila numbers remain steady in southwest Michigan, still low in other areas; protect susceptible crops where they are detected.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit regional report – July 29, 2014

  Published on July 29, 2014
  Soils are becoming dry. Peach and plum harvests are beginning while blueberry harvest continues across the region. Spotted wing Drosophila numbers continue to climb.

• Certified Animal Welfare Audits for Farms: Part 5 - Audit day

  Published on July 28, 2014
  Certified Farm Animal Welfare Audit day has arrived on your farm. Part five in this six part series is meant to give you an idea of what to expect and how to prepare yourself and your employees.

• Certified Animal Welfare Audits for Farms: Part 4 – Preparing your farm

  Published on July 28, 2014
  Part 4 in preparing for a certified animal welfare audit on your farm looks at review of the audit and preparation of your farm for audit day

• Certified Animal Welfare Audits for Farms: Part 6 - Follow-up for certification

  Published on July 28, 2014
  The final installment in the six part series of Certified Farm Animal Welfare Audits looks at the follow-up corrective actions that need to take place after the audit in order for your farm to achieve certification.

• Tissue analysis for monitoring fruit nutrition

  Published on July 25, 2014
  Find out if your fertilizer program meets the needs of fruit trees, vines and bushes by sampling leaves or petioles and having the nutrient levels measured.

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  MSU floriculture insect wall chart and disease wall chart are updated for smartphones

  Published on July 25, 2014
  The MSU “Insect Controls for the Greenhouse Industry” and “Chemical Disease Controls for the Greenhouse Industry” posters are now updated and available on a smartphone optimized website.

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  Keeping nutrients in the field and out of tile lines

  Published on July 25, 2014
  Farm drainage has been increasing land productivity since its introduction during the colonial times in the United States. However, there is concern today more than ever about proper management to protect surface water quality.