Agriculture

Researchers at University of Michigan say it's the most detailed survey of animal feeding operations across the country ever.

The Northwestern Michigan Fair held its annual "Kid's Day" and "Special Kid's Day" on Wednesday. The fair offered accommodations and activities for children with special needs.

When you drive past potato fields in Montcalm County, you can see more and more drones flying in the air. Experts say there has been an increase in drone usage because they provide precise pesticide application and might reduce costs.

A new lavender farm has recently opened in central Michigan, and experts say it's a part of a larger trend of a growing interest in agritourism.

While business interests express concern about a 17 percent tariff, the Michigan Vegetable Council says they hope it could spur on production.

The decades-old saying "knee high by the Fourth of July" is no longer the standard for many corn farmers as prices of goods increase and markets remain competitive. Michigan farmers say that more mature crops are required to get a profit during harvest in the fall.

Specialty producers exporting to China have been hit just as hard as soybeans and beef. But they often have fewer alternative markets for their crops, worsening the impact of retaliatory tariffs.

The Trump administration wants Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to raid worksites in the agriculture and hospitality industries, despite an initial reprieve this month. Experts say the policy could hurt businesses that rely on immigrant workers.

Across much of the Midwest, the atmosphere is becoming warmer and retaining more water, leading to heavier downpours. A two-crop system called relay intercropping could help farmers buffer weather whiplash and boost profits.

The Trump administration cut off nearly all funding for food and agricultural research at universities across the country as part of the Feed the Future Initiative. While some hope Congress will restore the funding, the global research continues on a much smaller scale, funded by private donors and individual universities.