Respondent filed its Application for Leave to Appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court in May 1997. The Tribunal scheduled a hearing on Tuesday, May 25, 1999. During discussions of the preliminary matters on the day of the Hearing, Petitioner entered a Motion to Adjourn to allow for one of its key witnesses to testify. The Hearing commenced on July 20, 1999. Membership is limited to active farmers and producers.
Petitioner provides services for both members and non-members.
Petitioner testified that its feed mill equipment is for animal feed and item 204, the 4 QLF units, and item 216, the 2 CML pumps, are used by farmers. Petitioner testified that the fertilizer equipment is used for crops. The final items were all used in the tire shop to fix tractor and wagon tires, some of which were brought in. Petitioner presented four witnesses in its case in chief. Petitioner's first witness was William Crittenden, Township Assessor and member of the Eaton Farm Bureau Cooperative.