Learn what new knowledge was gleaned from the latest Michigan on-farm soybean research projects during three upcoming meetings, which will start 9 a.m. and end with a complimentary lunch.

The meetings locations are as follows:

Jan. 19. Wagon Wheel American Grill, 7888 E. Grand River Ave., Portland

Jan. 20. GreenMark Equipment, 16700 Heimbach Road, Three Rivers

Jan. 21. AgroLiquid, 3055 M-21, St. Johns

Participants will learn how various management practices and products affected soybean yields and income, courtesy of the Michigan Soybean Checkoff program. Kurt Steinke, MSU Extension soil fertility specialist, will present his latest soil fertility research and nutrient management recommendations for soybeans in 2022.

Time has been allocated for input, questions and open discussion regarding the information presented at the program and future Michigan soybean on-farm research projects. This program has been approved for one pesticide applicator recertification credit.

Registration is requested to ensure an accurate count for lunch and materials. Call the Michigan Soybean Committee office in St. Johns at 877-769-6424, or register online at events.anr.msu.edu.

Bell’s Brewery sold to Australian-based brewer

Bell’s Brewery founder Larry Bell has reached an agreement with Lion, an Australian-based brewer, for the sale of Bell’s. Lion acquired Colorado’s New Belgium Brewing in 2019. The move will see the Michigan-based craft brewer come together with New Belgium.

Bell, who founded Bell’s in 1985 and brewed its first beers in a 15-gallon soup kettle, also announced his retirement from the company

“This decision ultimately came down to two determining factors,” Bell said. “First, the folks at New Belgium share our ironclad commitment to the craft of brewing and the community-first way we’ve built our business. Second, this was the right time. I’ve been doing this for more than 36 years and recently battled some serious health issues. I want everyone who loves this company like I do to know we have found a partner that truly values our incredible beer, our culture and the importance of our roots here in Michigan.”

USDA to survey farmers on financial well-being

More than 750 Michigan farmers and more than 30,000 producers nationwide will be tapped between now and April to answer a survey conducted by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The survey seeks to gather information about farm economics and production practices, as the agency conducts the third and final phase of the 2021 Agricultural Resource Management Survey. ARMS is the only survey that measures the financial well-being of Michigan producers and their households as a whole. The results of this survey will help inform decisions on local and federal policies and programs that affect Michigan farms and farm families.

The survey asks producers to provide in-depth information about their operating revenues, production costs and household characteristics. This year, the survey includes questions to help measure the effect of COVID-19 on farms, farm and household finances, and off-farm employment.

NASS has strong safeguards in place to protect the confidentiality of all farmers who respond to its surveys. The agency will only publish data in an aggregate form, ensuring the confidentiality of all responses and that no individual respondent or operation can be identified.

The expense data gathered in ARMS will be published in the annual Farm Production Expenditures report on July 29. That report and others are available at nass.usda.gov.

Smith to lead MSU AgBioResearch