Mid-Michigan Agronomy Event Brings Together Experts, Growers, and Policy Leaders
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EmailDespite a rainy start, spirits were high at the Saginaw Valley Research Center as nearly 150 participants gathered for a full morning of agronomy-focused insights.
Hosted by Michigan Sugar, the Michigan Dry Bean Commission and MSU’s AgBioResearch, the event served as a master class in crop science, policy, and practical management strategies for Michigan growers. Here’s a brief summary of a few of the presentations:
Opening Remarks from Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet
The day began with remarks from Dr. George Smith (Director, AgBioResearch), who introduced U.S. Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet--representing Michigan’s 8th congressional district and serving on the House Committee on Agriculture. A Michigan State University alumna with a personal connection to agriculture, Rep. McDonald Rivet emphasized her commitment to policy efforts that impact both regional and national ag priorities.
Research Updates: Weed Management and Tillage Techniques
Dr. Christy Sprague, along with her students Jacob Felsman and Michael Dodde, shared the latest research on weed control in sugarbeet and dry bean, particularly focusing on waterhemp management. Their work compared strip tilling to conventional tillage, with promising results indicating comparable weed suppression. The team also discussed challenges related to glyphosate-resistant marestail and the need for integrated control strategies.
Soil Fertility and Crop Management
Dr. Kurt Steinke provided an economic overview — noting a projected 41-48% increase in NPK fertilizer prices since March 2025. He highlighted the impacts cool spring soil temperatures had on crop development including the use of starter fertilizers. He also discussed in depth about different nutrient management strategies for both early and conventional harvest sugarbeets.
Dry Bean Innovation and Field Trials
Dr Valerio Hoyos-Villegas presented on dry bean nutrition and varietal trials, detailing the results of the largest-ever research season with 186 field plots across 10 market classes. His current work explores how drone imagery can enhance yield predictions and uncover traits like white mold resistance that may not be visible to the naked eye.
Insights from USDA Researchers
Dr. Linda Hanson, USDA scientist and adjunct with MSU’s beet and potato plant pathology lab, presented new findings on Cercospora, or “black dot,” in potatoes — noting how it affects respiration and storage longevity. Dr. Carly Hendershot also contributed insights on storage vulnerabilities related to harvest damage.
USDA scientist Dr Karen Cichy shared her work on improving dry bean palatability and processing. Her team is analyzing cooking times across varieties and testing consumer preferences for packaging types — from cans to pouches and glass jars. “Convenience is king,” she said, highlighting consumer interest in bean flours and cooking consistency.
Monitoring and Diagnostics
Dr. Jaime Willbur discussed pathogen monitoring efforts, while Laura Miles from the diagnostic lab shared this year’s data on herbicide resistance in waterhemp — a growing concern among growers.
Throughout the event, growers actively engaged in discussions, asking pointed questions about the feasibility and costs of implementing the research-backed practices shared.
In Summary:
This year’s agronomy meeting delivered valuable knowledge to Michigan producers, bridging scientific research with boots-on-the-ground insights. With robust participation from researchers, policymakers, and farmers alike, it underscored the power of collaboration in facing the challenges and opportunities of modern agriculture.
