Food Export of the Midwest to Bring 15 International Buyers to Michigan in Partnership with MDARD’s International Marketing Program

Apr 26, 2024

By Chelsea Lewis-Parisio

The Food Export Association of the Midwest and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) International Marketing Program are partnering to bring approximately 15 international buyers to Michigan as part of their Summer in the Cities Buyers’ Mission. The event takes place in Grand Rapids from July 29-30, 2024.

“MDARD is thrilled to be partnering with the Food Export Association of the Midwest to bring several international buyers to Michigan,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “We continue to see businesses from around the world bet on Michigan, and this opportunity is a great way to position a company and its products in front of pre-qualified, experienced international buyers from many markets around the world.”

This event will have representatives from over 15 different international markets attending. Industry professionals, who can provide information about exporting and give insight into particular markets, will participate and meet one-on-one with companies.

"At MDARD, we're committed to making sure 'Made in Michigan' is known globally," said Jamie Zmitko-Somers, MDARD's Agriculture Development Bureau Director. "Opportunities like these allow for connections between Michigan and international companies to be cultivated, furthering our partnerships, which creates more opportunities to have Michigan products on shelves worldwide."

Early registration is open until May 22, 2024, and is $325 to participate. A networking lunch with buyers is included in the registration. There is a wide range of products of interest for this event including snacks, alcoholic beverages, fruits, dry beans, and dairy products.

Source : michigan.gov

Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.