Redesigned website puts Michigan poultry in the spotlight
Michigan Allied Poultry Industries recently launched its redesigned website. MiPoultry.com is now offering a clean design, new images from Michigan poultry farms, improved functionality and enhanced content to share the organization’s mission.

“We are very excited to announce our new website launch and the wealth of information it provides about Michigan’s poultry industry,” says Allison Brink, MAPI executive director. “We have put a great deal of thought into the site’s visual impact. We also encourage people to visit the site regularly, as we will be updating it with fresh industry news and materials periodically.”

Michigan Allied Poultry Industries Inc. is a nonprofit, statewide trade organization representing Michigan’s egg, chicken and turkey farmers and their young stock network of breeders, hatcheries and pullet growers. MAPI was formed in 1940 by Michigan poultry producers to collaborate on issues facing the industry. Seventy-seven years later, it is still farmer-led and working together for the advancement and prosperity of the Michigan’s poultry industry.

Pork sirloin ‘Heart-Check Certified’
Eating healthier just got easier with the addition of another pork cut to the list of Heart-Check Certified products by the American Heart Association. The Dallas-based AHA is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. The pork checkoff is working with the AHA to highlight the heart-healthy benefits of the pork sirloin roast.

As a Heart-Check Certified cut of meat, pork sirloin adheres to AHA’s requirements, allowing its label as a “heart-healthy food.” The pork sirloin roast joins the pork tenderloin with this designation as an extra-lean cut of meat certified by the Heart-Check Food Certification Program.

“The prominent Heart-Check mark on packages of meat offers consumers an easy way to cut through the clutter of often conflicting nutrition information,” says Adria Huseth, manager of nutrition communications and research for the checkoff. “The Heart-Check mark is valuable and serves as a trusted resource for consumers. By cutting through the noise at the meat counter, shoppers can quickly identify heart-healthy foods.”

Introduced in 1995, the Heart-Check Food Certification Program helps consumers identify foods that can be building blocks of a heart-healthy diet. To become certified, a product must meet specific nutrition requirements. For more information, visit heartcheck.org.

“Today’s consumers are busy, and they seek both convenience and real-time information before purchasing foods in their local grocery store,” says Mary Kelpinski, chief executive officer of Michigan Pork Producers Association. “Having the Heart-Check mark on pork sirloin roast and tenderloin products helps consumers make wise choices. This prominent, recognizable mark allows the shopper to buy with confidence.”

In 2013, USDA approved a pork cooking temperature of 145 degrees F, followed by a three-minute rest. By following this cooking guidance on pork products like the sirloin roast or tenderloin, consumers can enjoy a healthy, tasty and tender product.

Michigan trout production soars
The value of all trout sold and distributed in Michigan was $6,5 million in 2016 — up a whopping 63% from last year, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Great Lakes office.

Information by sales category was not published to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.

Losses of trout intended for sale in Michigan amounted to 193,000 fish, weighing 34,000 pounds.

The total value of fish sales received by trout growers in the United States totaled $105 million for 2016, an increase of 1% from 2015. Idaho accounted for 48% of the total value of fish sold.

Biodiesel incentive program reimburses users
The Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee is offering a biodiesel incentive program to users of the alternative fuel. The reimbursement program is based on the biodiesel blend and gallons purchased:
• B99/B100 at a $1 per gallon
• B50 at 50 cents per gallon
• B20 at 20 cents per gallon
• B10 at 10 cents per gallon
• B5 at 5 cents per gallon (B5 is the minimum bio-blend allowed.)

Participants can use whatever blend or combination of blends to reach the required minimum of 500 gallons of biodiesel purchased. A maximum of $1,000 will be reimbursed per participant. The biodiesel industry continues to break records, with nearly 2.9 billion gallons of domestic demand in 2016, supporting 64,000 jobs. For soybean farmers, that means an additional 63 cents per bushel in value. The Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee is signing people up today for this reimbursement program. The first 20 biodiesel users to call in will be enrolled in the program. Call 877-769-6424 and ask for Noelle, or email [email protected].