Agriculture

Agriculture leaders and producers are urging Congress to allow year-round sales of fuel made with up to 15% ethanol, which they say could boost domestic demand for corn — and offer a cheaper gas option for U.S. drivers this summer.

A key waterway in the Middle East known the Straits of Hormuz is blocked off because of the war, which is preventing large amounts of oil, natural gas and nitrogen-based fertilizer to get through.

Higher costs and lower prices are squeezing farmers out of profitability. That’s led many to file for bankruptcy as a last resort to find aid.

Chapters of FFA, once called Future Farmers of America, are becoming more common in city schools. Program advisors say students are learning skills that can help them work in a wide range of industries — from biotech to cosmetology.

Months of dry conditions are turning into a normal spring with forecasted rainfall, according to the USDA.

Maple Moon SugarBush and Winery in Petoskey sustained major damage to tubing used to collect sap this time of year.

The Trump administration's federal workforce cuts shrunk U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies that inspect produce, provide conservation resources and collect data on crops and livestock. It's creating longer wait times for farmers seeking federal services and programs, people working in agriculture say.

Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture puts Michigan’s farm real estate value at about $6,800 per acre in 2025, a 7.8% increase from 2024. It was the highest increase in the country.

As companies launch an array of protein-rich products and new federal dietary guidelines advise Americans to prioritize protein, nutrition experts have mixed feelings about the new emphasis on protein.

Farm aid promised last December is still months away from being paid out to fruit and vegetable growers. But industry groups say it won't be enough to get them through tough market conditions.