MDARD Reminds Producers About Benefits of Using Licensed Grain Dealers

What this means

The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. LANSING, Mich. – With the fall harvest in full swing, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding producers that using licensed grain dealers can help protect their financial interests.

Official release

Source material from Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

Unsupported Browser Detected

The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.

Supported Browsers

Google Chrome

Safari

Microsoft Edge

Firefox

MDARD Reminds Producers About Benefits of Using Licensed Grain Dealers

September 30, 2026

LANSING, Mich. – With the fall harvest in full swing, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding producers that using licensed grain dealers can help protect their financial interests.

Michigan's licensed grain dealers form an important link in the food supply chain by connecting local grain growers with national and international markets. Michigan established the Farm Produce Insurance Authority (FPIA) to insure growers against losses if they use a licensed grain dealer that fails financially. Producers who use unlicensed grain dealers do not receive the same protection.

Before delivering grain or entering into a storage or sale agreement, MDARD recommends that producers:

Double-check that the entity is licensed — You can verify the grain dealer’s license online.

Check the transaction terms — Ensure that you receive a proper scale ticket, warehouse receipt or price‑later agreement.

Understand your settlement statement — Your statement should clearly identify any commodity check offs and FPIA assessments that your grain is subject to.

Know your rights and protections — If the licensed dealer fails financially, you as a producer may have claim rights under the FPIA.

After entering into a storage or sale agreement, grain producers should keep good records of:

Deliveries

Scale tickets

Settlement statements

Warehouse receipts

Price-later agreements

With certain limited exceptions, the Grain Dealers Act (P.A. 141 of 1939) requires anyone in Michigan who buys, exchanges, sells or stores grain to be licensed by MDARD. MDARD conducts compliance audits of licensed grain dealers to protect producers and works with the FPIA to administer protections if licensed grain dealers fail financially. The department also offers guidance to producers and grain dealers to ensure transparent transactions and maintain a level playing field.

Any producer who has questions about grain dealer licensure or who has concerns about non-payment should email MDARD-GrainDealers@michigan.gov.

For more information, visit MDARD’s Grain Dealers web page.

###

Sign up to receive MDARD news

MI Newswire

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Media Contact:

Lynsey Mukomel

Public Information Officer

MukomelL1@michigan.gov

517-290-1734

Related News

MDARD’s Farm to Family Program Announces Grant Recipients Focused on Regen Ag

Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Farm to Family Program is announcing its latest grant recipients. The Regenerative Value Chains Grant Program focuses on expanding operations and market opportunities for farmers who are just starting out or want to broaden their impact and are using regenerative agriculture practices.

MDARD, MDHHS, and MDNR Recognize World Rabies Day, September 28

Stronger together: The collective efforts of every Michigander can help protect against rabies

MDARD Partners with Detroit Food Policy Council to Strengthen Urban Ag Local Food Access

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced a $494,960 grant to support the Detroit Food Policy Council (DFPC) in its work to enhance agricultural education, provide technical assistance to urban farmers, increase local food access and reduce food waste.

Box tree moth confirmed in Genesee County

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed the detection of box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in Genesee County This invasive pest is not a threat to Michigan’s natural resources, but it can lead to significant defoliation and death of ornamental boxwood.

MDARD Marks PFAS Awareness Week by Supporting New PFAS Research Projects

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced $1.9 million in grants for groundbreaking research to better understand and address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in agriculture

Safety Today Success Tomorrow MDARD Recognizes National Farm Safety and Health Week

Safety is the cornerstone to the sustainability, resilience and integrity of Michigan’s agricultural industry and everyone has a role to play

MDARD MISP Take Next Step in Preventing Invasive Pests from Entering Michigan

Untreated firewood from outside Michigan no longer allowed beginning in 2027

MDARD Invests in Water Infrastructure at County Fairs

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced nearly $500,000 of grants to help enhance water and wastewater systems at county fairgrounds across the state.

MDARD Announces Detection of Bovine Tuberculosis-Positive Herds in Iosco County

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting cases of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in two cattle herds from Iosco County. One herd was found as part of a trace investigation related to a previously identified TB-positive herd and the other was identified as part of routine whole herd surveillance testing

Release text attributed to Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.