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.

Watering strategies to keep a garden productive 

Published on June 26, 2025
Keeping a garden properly irrigated requires knowing how much water to use and the right way to water.
Beating the heat: Protecting pigs from heat stress

Published on June 24, 2025
Practical nutritional and cooling strategies to safeguard swine health and performance during extreme temperatures.
Tips for managing lawns during high temperatures

Published on June 23, 2025
High temperatures and heat indexes have been stressing turfgrass lately. Michigan State University Extension offers simple reminders as the heat continues this week.
Comprehensive management strategies for vineyards after hailstorms

Published on June 23, 2025
Post-hail recovery and resilience strategies for Michigan’s cool-climate vineyards.
The heat is on: Protect golf course turf during high temperatures

Published on June 23, 2025
High temperatures will stress turfgrass in the next week. Here are simple reminders as the heat ramps up.
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.
Strategies to cope with family stress

Published on July 25, 2024
Eight practical tips to guide you and your family when dealing with everyday stress and crisis situations.
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.