Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Annual Reports
Fruit and Vegetable Controlled Atmosphere Storage Licensing Details, FAQ's, & Forms
Want to know how to contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development? On this page you will find phone numbers, email addresses, snail mail addresses, and online contact forms for everything we do here at MDARD. We even have a complaint form for those of you with complaints.
Laws and Regulations pertaining to and governing the actions and policies of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
This area contains information for press and media agencies. Press Releases, Pics, Podcasts & Videos
All public meetings, that fall under the Open Meetings Act, scheduled by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development will be posted here. Questions about any of these meetings should be directed to contact person in the division listed on the notice.
Animal ID and movement requirements in the State of Michigan
Animal health resources for veterinary professionals.
Diseases affecting, or potentially affecting, animals in Michigan
Rules governing the disposal of Bodies of Dead Animals (BODA).
Information about how MDARD's Agriculture Development Division can help you grow your business in Michigan.
Michigan's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) was created to help protect our environment and wildlife. Michigan is partnering with the federal government to implement conservation practices of great significance to the state, and valuable to the nation, in matters of soil erosion, water quality, and wildlife habitat.
Programs under the Private Forestlands Initiative, including the Forestry Assistance Program, Qualified Forester Registration, and Qualified Forest Program.
Good migrant labor housing is an essential element in securing an adequate supply of seasonal agricultural workers.
The Cottage Food law, enacted in 2010, allows individuals to manufacture and store certain types of foods in an unlicensed home kitchen.
Find a licensed firm in Michigan, from pesticide businesses to retail establishments, and more.
For the registration of horses, breeders and owners so as to render them eligible for racing and breeder/owner awards.
Retail Motor Fuel Outlet licensing information, applications and forms.
Information on Weights & Measures service person and agency registration, as well as weights and measures advisories.
Each new, existing, and proposed commercial pesticide or fertilizer bulk storage facility is required to register annually with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Information on how to acquire a feed license to manufacture or distribute commercial feed in Michigan.
Fertilizer License and Registration Requirements, as well as Liming License Requirements
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is charged with certifying sites where industrial hemp is to be grown under the authority of the federal Agriculture Act of 2014 and the state Industrial Hemp Research Act of 2014.
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Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly called “bird flu,” is a virus found among various species of birds. HPAI viruses can infect domestic poultry, which includes chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl. For more information on current detections in domestic poultry across the U.S., please visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s webpage.
HPAI infects a wide variety of other birds, including wild migratory waterfowl. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers the risk to people from these HPAI infections in wild and domestic birds to be low.
In early September, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) detected a new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic backyard poultry.
Cases of the disease continue to be found in Michigan’s wild birds and mammals, so it is important now to take every step possible to protect domestic birds from this virus.
HPAI has been detected in Branch County, Eaton County, Genessee County, Ingham County, Lapeer County, Kalamazoo County, Livingston County, Macomb County, Menominee County, Muskegon County, Oakland County, Saginaw County, Sanilac County, Tuscola County, Washtenaw County, and Wexford County.
Sign-up to receive updates and alerts about avian influenza in Michigan.
March 13, 2023 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Eaton County Backyard Flock
December 27, 2022 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Sanilac County Backyard Flock
October 11, 2022 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Genessee County Backyard Flock
October 6, 2022 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Lapeer County Backyard Flock
September 30, 2022 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Tuscola County Backyard Flock
September 13, 2022 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Ingham County Backyard Flock
June 13, 2022 - MDARD Director Lifts the Stop on Poultry and Waterfowl Exhibitions
May 6, 2022 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Oakland County Backyard Flock
April 30, 2022 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Branch County Backyard Flock
April 28, 2022 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Wexford County Backyard Flock
April 27, 2022 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Saginaw County Backyard Flock
April 18, 2022 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Washtenaw County
Please Note: HPAI is NOT evidenced by one dead bird or one coughing/sneezing bird while the remainder of the flock is acting normally. Instead, for small flock owners, look for two or more dead birds within a 24-hour period and symptoms in the rest of the flock (not eating, acting lethargic or sleepy with eyes closed, tucking their head close to their body, and appearing to be puffed up).
The following hotlines are available for reporting suspected HPAI infections:
800-292-3939 (daytime)
517-373-0440 or 412-847-2255 (after-hours)
517-336-5030
Eyes in the Field (Michigan Department of Natural Resources Online Form)
Whether you have a few backyard birds or a large commercial flock, following these biosecurity measures can help protect Michigan’s domestic birds:
Avian Influenza Information from MSU Extension Service
Backyard Biosecurity Video with Dr. Nancy Barr
Cleaning and Disinfecting for HPAI (PDF)
Protect Your Flock - Infographic (PDF)
Center for Food Safety and Public Health Iowa State University Avian Influenza Information
Eggs and Byproducts | SECURE POULTRY SUPPLY (umn.edu)
Turkeys | SECURE POULTRY SUPPLY (umn.edu)
Wildlife Management : Preventing Access to Barns and Other Facilities (PDF)
Wildlife Management : Reducing Water Access (PDF)
Wildlife Management : Protecting Food Resources (PDF)
Captive Wild Life Biosecurity (PDF)
CDC News Release: U.S. Case of Human Avian Influenza A(H5) Virus Reported (4/28/22)
CDC: Bird Flu Virus Infections in Humans
CDC: The Risk of HPAI Infection in People is Low
CDC: Avian Influenza Information
APHIS: PPE Recommendations during an HPAI Response (PDF)
Michigan Local Health Department Map
The management and elimination of HPAI disease includes practices that ensure no poultry products (meat or eggs) from HPAI positive flocks enter the food chain. As a reminder, it is essential that people follow proper food safety practices when handling and cooking all poultry and eggs products.
As a reminder, it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry in the United States. The proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses, including HPAI viruses.
Avian Influenza Testing in Meat-Type Chickens—from USDA
World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Avian Influenza Information
Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory’s Avian Influenza Resources
Frequently Asked Questions: Poultry and Waterfowl Exhibition Stop is Lifted (PDF)
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Basics for Shelters (PDF)
How to Recognize a Sick Bird - Poster (PDF) - Updated May 2022
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Basics - FAQ (PDF) - Updated May 2022
Indemnity and Compensation when Your Flock is Infected (PDF) - from USDA
List of Key Resources for HPAI – Infographic (PDF)
Michigan Poultry Veterinarians GIS Map
Surveillance Zones & Control Areas: Definitions and Expectations - Infographic (PDF)
MDARD/FRSAN Legacy of the Land grants / MSU Extension Farm Stress Program Resources
MSU Extension Teletherapy Program
MSU Extension partners with a therapy provider to provide telehealth services to farmers, farm families and workers.
Michigan Farm Bureau Stress and Mental Health Resources