Daily Email From Exec. Director of the Bean Commission, Joe Cramer

Timely news and features worth knowing are provided every day by Joe.  If you would like to receive his email at no cost or obligation, click on the address below and send him an email.  You will receive reports and will not be put on anyother email lists!!

jcramer@michiganbean.com

Remember, you can hear Joe every Wednesday on our 11:35am-noon farm show presented by the Cooperative Elevator Company with locations in  Akron, Bad Axe, Deckerville, Elkton, Fairgrove, Gagetown, North Branch, Pigeon, Ruth and Sebewaing.

Great Lakes Summer Discovery Cruises

What a great way to enjoy the lakes!!  Check out this website and reserve your place this summer.  What a great way to cool off!!

http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/sdc/

Most cruises are 2 - 2.5 hours with longer ones from 4 - 6 hours.  $20 for adults for the shorter cruises, $10 for children ages 6-17.......$25 for adults for the longer cruises, $15 for children 6-17.  The website will give you instructions on how to register.

Guard Against Debt As Profits May Fall

Check out this article.  Some advice worth listening to:

http://www.agweek.com/event/article/id/20871/

Good News About Beef

The even better news is that this comes from research that was not paid for by the beef industry!!!  Click on the link below and find out how much you can eat and not worry:

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/e-newsletters/drovers-daily/Beef--the-good-news-205301991.html

Notice what the article says about deli meats??

One of the best fruits you can eat

Check this out.  Yes, they are a fruit!

http://www.foods-healing-power.com/health-benefits-of-beans.html

Cereal Is Good For You

Lots of myths, but here is the latest info that has facts and figures behind it.  Click on the link below:

http://www.inboxgroup.net/sugar/e_article002676092.cfm?x=bmgssHr,bhMLjpTJ

Telling It Like It Is

One kid's way of getting the story of agriculture out......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3kwdue5XS0

Copy this and paste it in your browser address line and enjoy!!

Tribute to the American Farmer by Paul Harvey

Corn Farmers Looking for Talented Young Artists

If you are looking for an opportunity for your artwork to appear on hundreds of T-shirts, the Michigan Corn Growers needs an engine-revving design for its annual Ethanol Night at the Races T-shirt Design Contest.
All Ethanol Night at the Races attendees receive a complimentary T-shirt and it could feature YOUR design.
The artist designing the winning art will have it printed on 1,000 shirts and receive a $150 VISA gift card as well as 2 tickets to the event.  For more information, go to:

http://www.micorn.org

Deadline is June 14th.

Breakfast on the Farm

Check out this website for backround on this very successful promotion for agriculture in Michigan.  Look for the location and date near you:

http://www.breakfastonthefarm.com.

Planting a Garden???

Here are some tips from Michigan State on planting a garden and enjoying your harvest as well as fresh fruit and veggies from a farmer's market near you:

http://anrcom.msu.edu/anrcom/news/item/spring_into_a_michigan_fresh_growing_season

National Corn Growers Corn Yield Contest

The time has come.  Planting means planning to sign up for the national contest.  Deadline is June 15th.  Winners atr the state and national levels will be recognized at the 2014 Commodity Classic in Santonio, Texas.
For more information on the corn growers and how to sign up, go to:

http://www.micorn.org

Michigan Fresh Guides

MSU will not only tell you where the farm markets are in the state with an app for your phone but also let you know when the produce can be expected at the farm markets and how to prepare it.  Click below for more information:

http://anrcom.msu.edu/anrcom/news/item/experience_a_michigan_fresh_growing_season

Food Labeling Bill Introduced

Here's the latest on Washington and Food Labeling:

http://farmfutures.com/story-bipartisan-bill-introduced-require-fda-labeling-gmos-0-97582

Crop Insurance - Get The Facts

Click on the link below and get the answers to most of the questions asked regarding crop insurance:

http://farmindustrynews.com/business/ncis-releases-crop-insurance-just-facts

Farmland Cash Lease Agreements

MSU has listing of all the things a cash lease should spell out.  There is also a form available.  Click on the link below to pick up all the information you need:

http://web2.msue.msu.edu/bulletins2/product/michigan-cash-farmland-lease-1377.cfm

Michigan Floriculture is Third in the Nation

Floriculture in Michigan is third in the nation.  This industry's most expensive input is energy.  MSU is working on a solution.  Read more:

http://anrcom.msu.edu/anrcom/news/item/energy_efficient_greenhouse_production_a_goal_for_michigan

Grow It Here - Process It Here

Interesting article on Michigan's 91 billion dollar industry:

http://www.farmersadvance.com/article/20130410/NEWS/304100301

Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund

The MYLSF has been awarding scholarships to outstanding youth who exhibit at the Michigan State Fair and other events.  It supports youth that participate in such events with money to enhance their education.

Check out the link below if you qualify.  Deadline is May 31st.

http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1571_40997---,00.html

Crop Budget Excel Sheet Available

Dennis Stein from MSU Extension has released an excel spreat sheet.  This sheet will allow you to have a quick side by side method to estrimate cost and return margins for a group of potential row crops which you may be considering for this year's crop production mix.

Just highlight and copy the link below to your browser line to open.

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/saginaw_valley_crop_budget_tool_for_2013_crop_enterprise_comparison

Pest Management Resources and Tools

As the season approaches, get up-to-date on the latest resources and tools to heop you make in-season pest management decisions.

Highlight and copy the link below, insert it into the browser line above and check it out.

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/integrated_pest_management_resources_at_msu

How Much Water Do You "Drink" Everyday

Most of your water intake is not from a glass.  Check this out:

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/riverslakes/explore/water-footprint-of-an-american.xml