Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center Lifts Michigan Ag U.P.

In partnership with: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

Founded in 1899, the Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center in Chatham is Michigan State University’s oldest continuously operating and most diverse research and Extension center, according to Dr. James DeDecker, the director.

“From day one, MSU and the community realized that agriculture is different in the Upper Peninsula than it is downstate and that we require research and education specific to the needs of U.P. farmers,” DeDecker says. “That mission has carried forward for 125 years.”

Those unique needs reflect the challenges U.P. agriculturists face, including environmental factors such as cool temperatures and short growing seasons, differing microclimates, diverse soil types and geographic isolation affecting access to inputs and markets.

While these challenges have always been present, DeDecker says UPREC researchers and MSU Extension educators work with farmers to leverage regional opportunities while mitigating risk.

See more: Michigan Farmers Reap the Benefits of Organic Methods

Knowledge as a Resource

Research focuses on four areas: beef cattle, field crops and forages, organic specialty crops, and land-based learning. Delta County farmer Ron Collins has hosted a number of trials on his farm, where he mainly raises dark red kidney beans plus rye, barley and corn in rotation. One trial focused on planting cover crops into the dry beans before harvest.

“We wanted to know if the cover crop would survive the harvesting process and continue to grow,” Collins says.

Results determined cereal rye planted as a cover crop survived both harvest and overwintering.

“The trial convinced me to try planting rye after bean harvest, and that has worked out well,” Collins says.

For organic specialty crops, UPREC researchers are looking at methods for reducing tillage and outcomes related to weed management, soil health and greenhouse gas emissions. DeDecker says UPREC is also studying hemp – both grain and fiber hemp as well as CBD.

“We don’t yet have much hemp processing or industrial hemp demand in the United States, but it’s coming fast,” DeDecker says. “We’re creating the knowledge resources to help make that happen.”

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Beefing U.P. Research

UPREC maintains a herd of about 350 Red Angus and Wagyu cattle, with research focused on breeding and genetics, grazing impacts, grain versus grass finishing and overall beef quality.

On Jon Ahlberg’s farm near Iron River, they’ve been intensive grazing cattle since about 1982. A UPREC-sponsored meeting of producers interested in moving to grass-finished beef spurred his involvement in the practice.

“We now grass-finish our Red Angus beef and market it through Apsey Farms in lower Michigan,” says Ahlberg, who owns Brule River Farm with his wife, Donna. “We plant small grains for a forage-based operation, and then follow that with another small grain and then plant into a hay mix, generally alfalfa. Those processes have really worked well for us.”

Ahlberg’s relationships with UPREC – particularly Paul Naasz, the farm manager – have greatly impacted his operation, including everything from incorporating no-till practices to helping with determining successful strategies for marketing his beef.

See more: Michigan Beef Sustainably Creates a Farm-to-Table Experience

Programming for the Future

Sharing information exemplifies another focus, which is agriculture education for both adults and youth. The wide range of educational programs encompasses field days and farm tours, visits with schools across the U.P., internships, graduate student research, and the Farm Business Incubator program at UPREC. 

“All of these programs are critical to the future of our industry,” DeDecker says. “If people don’t know where their food comes from, they’re not going to value it or pay prices at the marketplace that cover the costs of production. They’re also not going to understand possible career opportunities for themselves.”

DeDecker and the farmers working with UPREC hope the educational and research efforts further agriculture for future generations.

“Education is some of our most important and meaningful work,” DeDecker says. “With the support of MSU and local stakeholders, UPREC is helping to forge a bright future for U.P. agriculture.”

For more information about the Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center, visit canr.msu.edu/uprc.

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