U.S. Agriculture Department examines drought-related crop losses in Michigan
Marion Kujawa looks over a pond he uses to water the cattle on his farm on July 16, 2012 in Ashley, Illinois. Kujawa has been digging the pond deeper after it began to dry up during the current drought. According to the Illinois Farm …
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Posted: 07/17/2012
ONONDAGA, Mich. (AP) - U.S. Agriculture Department Undersecretary Michael Scuse has come to Michigan to examine the state's summer-drought related crop losses.
Scuse's tour Tuesday included a visit to the central Michigan farm of Jim Byrum, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association.
After the stop at the farm in Onondaga, Byrum said the losses are "unprecedented and show how important it is that farmers have a strong safety net."
Scuse says it's important to pass the Farm Bill now before Congress. It has disaster relief programs that otherwise will expire Sept. 30.
The drought follows an earlier blow to Michigan's tree fruit industry.
Growers sustained devastating losses when a hard freeze followed an early thaw, wiping out much of the year's tart cherry and apple crop.
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