The Michigan Milk Producers Association plant in Constantine, Mich., received an International Dairy Foods Association safety award for outstanding worker safety.

This marks the second consecutive year the Constantine plant has earned this distinction, achieving a significant milestone of three years without a lost-time accident, exemplifying excellence in workplace safety.

The annual Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards program, co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Foods magazine, honors U.S. dairy facilities and trucking operations for their exceptional worker safety standards.

Applicants are evaluated based on occupational injury and illness performance rates, showcasing the dairy industry’s dedication to prioritizing the safety of both its people and products. MMPA was one of 23 dairy companies recognized during this year’s award program.

Should monarch butterfly be listed as endangered?

The Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. FWS has proposed to designate 4,395 acres of critical habitat for the butterfly in seven California counties. 

The proposal includes a 90-day public comment period, ending March 12. The agency will be examining multiple areas of feedback, including pesticide use, energy infrastructure impacts and economic impacts to determine any future restrictions placed on activities that may affect monarchs.

During this time, growers’ voices will be crucial in shaping the future rule to “protect monarch butterflies without disrupting critical agricultural activities that help fuel and feed the world,” the National Corn Growers Association said in a recent release on the subject. 

The Endangered Species Act provides U.S. government agencies the authority to evaluate the conservation status of species and offers legal protections to those listed as endangered or threatened. 

In 2014, a petition was accepted to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Register as certified Michigan potato grower

All Michigan potato growers need to register with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural development by Jan. 1 under the Seed Potato Act. Additionally, all farms must use certified seed.

The registration and certified seed requirements are part of Michigan's commitment to the State National Harmonization Program. This program, a collaboration between state and federal agencies, aims to streamline trade and manage potato pest issues more effectively.

By adhering to SNHP standards and using only certified seed, growers contribute to a robust framework for both interstate and international commerce, while ensuring high-quality potato production.

Additional information, including how to submit an insufficient cultivar exception request, can be found at MDARD’s potato grower registration website. For more information, email MDARD at [email protected].