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The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development recommends and determines policy on food, agricultural, and rural development issues. MDARD oversees several additional boards and commissions.
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Fertilizer License and Registration Requirements, as well as Liming License Requirements
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February 20, 2026
LANSING, Mich.—The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting a case of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in a dairy herd from Charlevoix County, located west of Michigan’s Modified Accredited Zone (MAZ) —an area where the disease is known to be present in the white-tailed deer population. Following a bovine TB detection in an adult cow identified at a United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service-inspected processing plant, the animal was traced back to its herd of origin. The herd was subsequently tested, and additional bovine TB cases were found.
“This latest detection of bovine TB highlights two important realities: how challenging the disease is to address; and why it is so crucial to use all of our tools for detection to swiftly identify cases and take actions to limit disease spread,” said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. “While finding a newly affected herd is never ideal, this case demonstrates our systems for detection and traceability are working, allowing us to quickly implement measures to protect animal health and public health in Michigan.”
Bovine TB is a bacterial disease that can affect all mammals, including humans. It is known to be present in the free-ranging white-tailed deer population in specific areas of northeastern lower Michigan, and the disease can be transmitted between deer and cattle.
An epidemiological investigation is already underway to rule out the possibility of additional cases stemming from this affected herd.
While MDARD and other state and federal agencies are taking significant steps to manage bovine TB within the MAZ through routine surveillance testing of cattle herds, mandatory animal identification, required movement certificates, and wildlife biosecurity programs, deer hunting in the northeastern Lower Peninsula continues to be an important tool in combatting this disease and maintaining healthy deer, healthy cattle, and healthy people.
More information about bovine TB can be found on MDARD’s website.
Author:
Wednesday morning, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring discussed Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Fiscal Year 2027 executive budget recommendation during a roundtable event in Oak Park.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced today that the Michigan Clean Sweep Program has now safely disposed of more than four million pounds of potentially hazardous pesticide containers since its creation in 1996. The milestone follows a record-breaking year in 2025, when the program collected nearly 280,000 pounds of old or excess pesticide products – the largest annual total in Clean Sweep history.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. March 31, 2026. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced today that it will accept applications for the 2026 Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year Award now through 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced today that it has administered more than a quarter billion dollars in grant funding to strengthen Michigan’s food, forestry and agriculture economy; create new jobs; and cultivate rural prosperity since the start of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration in 2019.
Due to recent poisonings, The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are warning residents to avoid purchasing unregistered pesticides containing dichlorvos (DDVP), including brand names “Sniper” and “Nopest.”
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced today that it will conduct a referendum on the Michigan Wheat Program from Monday, February 9 through Friday, February 20, 2026.
Keep it Safe and Local for a Winning Spread. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding party hosts to prioritize food safety when preparing and serving game day snacks for Super Bowl Sunday with these tips
Feeling the chill? Chances are your animals are too. As extremely cold temperatures settle in around the state, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding owners of some of the best ways to keep their animals warm and safe.