Agriculture

Depending on the time of year, severe weather can be devastating to Michigan’s family farms. The following information will help farmers deal with the impacts of severe weather to their farms.

Managing heat stress in heifers: Protecting performance from calf to cow

Published on May 13, 2025
Understanding how heat stress affects youngstock, in-utero and beyond and implementing targeted cooling and nutrition strategies can help producers safeguard both current and future herd performance.
Addressing ice storm damage to trees

Published on April 1, 2025
Use a professional tree service if you are uncertain about doing the job yourself.
Dealing with storm-damaged trees

Published on April 1, 2025
Deciding which trees to save after a storm often requires careful inspection. When in doubt, always consult with a professional arborist before working around damaged trees.
Managing heat stress in the feedlot with nutrition

Published on July 12, 2023
In addition to amenities that can cool cattle, nutritional considerations may be another means to help manage heat stress in feedlot cattle.
Understanding and preventing farm employee heat-related illness

Published on June 29, 2023
Heat-related illnesses can occur indoors or outdoors and during any season of the year.
Minimizing the risk of heat stress in pigs during transportation

Published on May 5, 2023
Pork producers know that transportation can be stressful for pigs. Hot, humid weather conditions during transportation events increase stress in pigs, sometimes leading to death.
Reducing heat stress for you and your employees

Published on June 22, 2022
Heat stress can be an issue for you and your employees, even in a northern state like Michigan. Multiple 90+ degree days during spring 2022 brought that to light for many of us working in agriculture.
USDA's disaster program available for weather-related crop losses

Published on September 11, 2020
Producers with crop losses due to drought in 2018 or excessive rain in 2019 may qualify for USDA’s WHIP+ disaster program.
Significant flooding in Michigan has caused hardships for agriculture, MSU Extension responds.

Published on June 5, 2020
MSU Extension has developed a resource a document to help support agricultural producers making flood-related decisions.
Southwest Michigan field crop update – May 28, 2020

Published on May 28, 2020
Warm air from the south pushes tropical rainfall and armyworm moths into Michigan.
Central Michigan field crop update – May 28, 2020

Published on May 28, 2020
Time to walk some fields.
Central Michigan field crop update – May 21, 2020

Published on May 21, 2020
Cold, frost, rain…what’s next?
How does flooding affect soybean germination?

Published on May 21, 2020
Important information about soybean fields planted prior to the recent heavy rain events.
MSU Extension Farm Stress Program partners to connect farmers with mental health services

Published on April 14, 2020
Farmers can now access counseling with licensed therapists via teletherapy.
Heat stress in cattle: Recognizing the signs and tips to keep your cattle cool

Published on July 5, 2018
Given the current high temperatures, cattle could be under heat stress. It’s important to know the signs so producers can manage and reduce livestock heat stress.
What’s happening to the nitrogen in my water-logged soil?

Published on July 7, 2017
Nitrogen losses in saturated soils during the wet 2017 season could be high.
Repairing your flood-damaged fields

Published on July 7, 2017
Management options for restoring productivity in flood-damaged areas.
Assessing flood damage in pickles

Published on June 27, 2017
Wait until the ground has dried before making stand counts.
Assessing water damage to emerged soybeans

Published on June 23, 2017
Information to help soybean producers assess yield losses associated with ponded or waterlogged fields.
Evaluating wind-damaged crops - Part 3

Published on June 23, 2017
Flattened corn fields can recover from wind damage.