State Offers Funds to Dairy Farms for Participating in Bird Flu Research

Jun 20, 2024

By Dee Morrison

Tuesday Michigan’s agriculture department announced financial assistance to dairy farms impacted by avian influenza that help with research

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, MDARD, is offering immediate financial aid through its Emergency Response programing for dairy farmers impacted by highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Funding is available for up to 20 farms of up to $28,000 per farm, which is in addition to federal funding already available to impacted dairy farms in Michigan.

Eligible farms must work with MDARD and federal veterinary services to complete epidemiological investigations on the farm, participate in real-time herd research with Michigan State University teams, and engage in programs related to human infection with the state health department if necessary.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.