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3,000 Indiana Pigs Confirmed with H1N1 Cases
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said last week that pigs in a commercial herd in Indiana have tested positive for swine flu, making it the first time the virus has been found in such hogs. The OIE has confirmed that there were 3000 susceptible cases of H1N1 in pigs in an Indiana swine herd. The USDA, Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) are conducting a comprehensive epidemiological investigation of the event. On Oct. 22, samples from sows experiencing influenza-like illness at the facility were submitted to the University of Minnesota Laboratory for evaluation by the farm’s attending veterinarians.
Livestock Forage and Grain Forum Brings all Indiana Ag Groups Together
In this week’s Hoosier Horsepower Leah Beyer explains the upcoming Indiana Livestock, Forage and Grain Forum. She is the Livestock Director for the Indiana Soybean Alliance. The event will be Friday, January 15, 2010 at the Indiana Convention Center and will combine two forums into one. “Last year if you came to the Indiana Livestock forum that was held at Lucas Oil Stadium in December, this is that event this year. If you came to the Dairy Beef and Forage Symposium in February, that’s now this event. We’ve brought those different venues together so people don’t have to pick and choose which activity. We want to make sure they can get all that information in one forum.” The combined forum brings together all of the state’s ag groups, including corn, soybean, pork, beef, dairy, sheep, goat, horse, and forage, along with the Indiana Farm Bureau.
17 State Parks to Close for Deer Reductions
Select Indiana state parks will be closed temporarily for controlled deer reductions in the coming weeks. Two reduction efforts will take place. The first are Nov. 16 and 17. The second round is Nov. 30 and Dec.1. The participating parks will close to the general public the evening before each of the two efforts and will re-open the morning after each two-day reduction ends. Indiana DNR biologists evaluate which parks require a reduction each year based on vegetative recovery and previous hunter success at each park.
Beck Says Don’t Wait to Harvest Corn
High moisture in corn continues to slow progress this fall, but one of Indiana‘s most experienced seedsmen urges growers to not put off harvest. Sonny Beck, of Beck‘s Hybrids, admits harvesting high moisture corn is hard, but he urges producers to not let the crop stand any longer in the field, “We have been encouraging farmers to get out there and get the corn harvested.” He told HAT some growers want to wait for the crops to dry down, but Beck says very little drying will over the next few weeks. He recommends, “Bite the bullet, and get it done.” This year has been a challenging season for soybeans as well as corn, but Beck admits the bean yields are surprising everyone, “The first field we harvested averaged 73 bpa and that was a new variety.” He said they had some fields yield as much as 77.8 bpa.
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Farm Bureau Starts Push to Block Property Tax Caps
With the Indiana General Assembly set to begin work, efforts are underway to address the issue of property taxes on farmland. This is the last chance the legislature has to lock property tax caps into the State Constitution. Last session, the State Senate passed the measure, but House Speaker Pat Bauer defied the Governor and refused to hold a hearing on the measure in the House. Bob Kraft, with Indiana Farm Bureau, says it is unlikely that tactic will work this year, “The speaker will be under pressure to take a vote on the issue because of the 2010 census.” Kraft means that in 2010 the census will be taken and legislative districts will be redrawn. The party that controls the House will control that redistricting process. Thus, Kraft believes speaker Bauer will allow the property tax measure to come up for a vote to help Democratic house candidates.
Indiana Harvest Cools with Rain, Low Temperatures
Harvest progress was hindered once again by rain showers and cool temperatures, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Moisture content in the corn and soybeans has been slow to come down requiring a great deal of the harvested crops to be dried. Many areas of the state encountered heavy frost over the weekend which will end the growing season for any crops that were not yet mature. Some intended winter wheat acreage may not be planted as farmers are being forced to wait until other crops are first harvested from these fields. There were 2.5 days suitable for field work during the week. Corn condition is rated 63 percent good to excellent compared with 56 percent last year at this time. Seventy-seven percent of the corn crop is mature compared to 92 percent last year and 96 percent for the 5-year average. Fifteen percent of the corn crop has been harvested compared to 39 percent last year and 49 percent for the 5-year average. Moisture content of harvested corn is averaging about 25 percent.
Moldy Corn Means Problems when Not Stored Properly
Many corn growers in Indiana and surrounding states are facing one of their most challenging harvests this year, and their problems are being compounded by grain drying and storage issues. Richard Stroshine, a professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue says farmers will need to take extra steps this year because of high moisture content corn. “The thing to realize is you can’t do things the way you normally do this year. You’re going to have to take extra caution in watching your stored grain and getting your grain dried. Maybe dry it down to lower moisture than you’re used to. That gives you a little extra insurance because it’s not going to store as well as it has in previous years.”
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Long Thompson Nominated to Farm Credit
Last year’s Democratic candidate for Indiana governor has been nominated by President Obama to the board that oversees the Federal Farm Credit Administration. The nomination announced by the White House would return Jill Long Thompson to Washington, where she served in Congress from 1989 to 1995 and then was a top official in the Agriculture Department under former President Bill Clinton. Thompson, who ran rural development programs as an undersecretary of agriculture during the Clinton administration, is also the former chief executive officer of the Washington-based National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy.
Fueled UP and Ready
FFA members from all over the nation will be arriving in Indiana this week for the 82nd National FFA convention, and Indiana agribusinesses have come together to put some drive in this year’s meeting. For the past 4 years, Toyota has been providing courtesy cars for use during the national FFA convention. This year, Countrymark will again put fuel in those vehicles. John Lance, with Countrymark, says the farmer-owned co-op is proud to be a sponsor of FFA, “All of our branded dealers work with local FFA chapters all year long, so we are proud to make this donation to help make the national convention a success here in Indiana.” The Fuel is an American made E-10 that Lantz says will make the Toyota vehicles perform extremely well.
USAgNet / IN Ag Connection Launches TractorSearch.com
Farm producers across North America now have a new online tool at their disposal when looking for new and used farm equipment to purchase. USAgNet LLC has launched TractorSearch.com, a Web-based listing service for farm equipment dealers to post their products for prospective consumers to browse. USAgNet President Pat Sternitzky says the site fills a void for both buyers and sellers of quality farm machinery. “This project came about after some of our dealer-customers requested a more cost-effective way to advertise their equipment listings online,” Sternitzky said. “Many stores are paying expensive fees to farm equipment magazines, which often have their own Websites. But the dealers felt they can get more bang for their buck by using an ‘Internet company,’ rather than a magazine publisher to handle their online marketing needs.”
Purdue Plant Breeder, Geneticist Receives World Food Prize
Gebisa Ejeta didn’t set out to receive worldwide acclaim for his agricultural research. The Purdue University Distinguished Professor of Agronomy’s sole focus was on helping fellow Africans, especially those in his native Ethiopia, grow enough food to feed themselves. “When people tell you that your work has saved lives and that people begin to refer to it as a symbol of goodness for the cause of science or the cause of the poor, that’s a lot more than I had a perception of out there,” Ejeta said. “That’s overwhelming and humbling.” Thursday the plant breeder and geneticist received the World Food Prize for his work in developing sorghum varieties resistant to drought and Striga, a parasitic weed common on the African continent. Because of Ejeta’s efforts, sorghum yields are significantly higher in many African nations. The World Food Prize, considered the Nobel Prize of agriculture, was presented to Ejeta during a ceremony in the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines.
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Gray & Pink Molds Being Found in Indiana Cornfields
Wet, cool conditions not only keep farmers out of the fields but also favor moldy corn. One Purdue University specialist is getting calls from around the state about Diplodia and Gibberella ear rots in corn. There’s a lot of Diplodia ear rot located throughout Indiana, especially in the northeast and southeast, said Charles Woloshuk, Purdue Extension pathologist who specializes in corn mycotoxins. The level ranges anywhere from a few percent up to 30 percent of the ears are infected, he said. Diplodia ear rot is characterized by a grayish or grayish-brown mold on and between the kernels on part of the ear. Gibberella ear rot, also known as Gib, is characterized by a pink to reddish mold, which begins at the tip of the ear and develops toward the base. Gib is easy to identify in the field on intact ears, but is more difficult to identify once the grain has been shelled.
Lawmakers Seek 100 Million in Pork Aid
Members of congress, including an Indiana democrat, have weighed in strongly with the USDA Secretary for a major new infusion of pork aid. The more than 5-dozen farm state lawmakers informed Tom Vilsack that without significant new help for the pork industry, thousands of rural jobs and businesses are at risk of going belly up. The house members are asking that Vilsack spend 100-million from so-called “section-32” customs receipts to buy pork for federal feeding programs, especially from sows to reduce breeding stock and hog oversupply. Indiana democrat Joe Donnelly knows first-hand the trouble the hog industry is in. “I have two of the three largest pork producers in the state, in our Congressional district, and you know, I’ve gone to ag meeting after ag meeting, and everybody is looking and saying, ‘we’ll work to get through this.’ But you can see it has caused tremendous damage.”
Study: Corn Plants Can Break Yield Barrier with Right Resources
A Purdue University researcher’s motto “No plant left behind,” sums up his research on achieving increased grain yield for corn at higher plant densities. “The only way to pursue and achieve higher grain yields on a per-acre basis at high plant densities is to make sure that every single plant has the opportunity to compete with its neighbor in the row,” said Tony Vyn, professor of agronomy. “The only way to achieve this competition ability is to have the genetic resources, in terms of a hybrid’s ability to compete and gain access to nutrients and water.” The results of this three-year study, which looked at approximately 4,000 individual plants each of the three years, are published in the early online version of Agronomy Journal.
Indiana 4H Congress Trains Tomorrow’s Ag Leaders
The Indiana 4H Congress was held over the weekend in Hendricks County. The 4H Congress is a daylong event providing leadership training for both adults and youth. Chuck Hibbard, Director of Extension, told HAT that leadership is a key element for those involved in agriculture today, as well as for those who will be the leaders of tomorrow, “We have brought together 150 students from all over the state to listen to strong ag leaders like Purdue Ag Dean Jay Akridge, and to participate in training sessions that will develop their leadership skills.” Other sessions were led by young people involved in the State 4H Jr. Leader program. In addition to training sessions for youth, several sessions were held for adults and 4H leaders. This year’s Congress, sponsored by Countrymark and Ice Miller LLP, also focused on science and technology. Hibbard said the future of agricultural innovation will be driven by those with passion and skill in the area of science and technology.
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Indiana Corn Acres Decrease as Ethanol Production Increases
For the last five years, Madison County farmer Mike Shuter has maintained the same crop rotation on his farm of two-thirds of his fields in corn and one-third in soybeans. He hasn’t seen the need to increase his corn acres even with the evolution of the biofuels industry and its need for corn. This seems to be the trend across the state. Indiana farmers planted 5.7 million acres of corn in both 2008 and 2009, down from 6.5 million acres in 2007. The majority of Indiana farmers plant corn and soybeans in a two-year rotation, unlike farmers in the Western Corn Belt where you see a more continuous corn environment.
Skillman Speaks Out on Farm Safety
Herbert Off, a farmer in Tipton County, was using a wrench to repair the combine when the tool dislodged and struck him in the head; he died from his injuries. According to Tipton County Coroner Brad Nichols, he was using a wrench to dislodge a clog in the combine’s throat when the tool dislodged from the machine. This is the second year in a row that Indiana farm fatalities have been on the rise. Indiana farm fatalities totaled 24 in 2007 and 28 in 2008. Alarmed with this trend, Lt. Governor and Secretary of Agriculture Becky Skillman is speaking out for farm safety, “If there is anything I can do to raise awareness about farm safety as we enter this harvest season, I want to spread that message.” She is spreading that message with an announcement being aired by radio stations across the state. The message reinforces things that farmers know all too well but often forget when things get busy. Skillman urges producers not to work when they are tired. She said, with harvest running several weeks late, there is added pressure to get the crop in quickly. She said the harvest is important but not at the cost of a human life.
Specialist Offers Tips for Weed Control Before Planting Wheat
Farmers looking to plant winter wheat after the harvest of corn and soybean fields should place weed control near the top of priority list, said a Purdue University specialist. Weed management is important because it helps with stand establishment, explained Bill Johnson, Purdue Extension weed specialist. “In areas of the state, we’ve had a relatively dry fall and these weeds can continue to deplete soil moisture and result in poor wheat stands,” he said. Weeds to be on the look out for include: chickweed, henbit, purple deadnettle, dandelion, and winter annual grasses such as Carolina foxtail, annual bluegrass and little barley. There are only two broad spectrum herbicides labeled for use before planting wheat — glyphosate and gramoxone, Johnson said.
Farm Bureau Speaks Out on RFS2 Proposal
American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman warns, the Renewable Fuel Standard proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency could allow the EPA to dictate how a farmer manages his or her land. The main concern is the EPA’s proposal regarding indirect land use provisions, which claim that ethanol production in the United States indirectly leads to deforestation in tropical countries. This increased authority for EPA greatly worries Farm Bureau members.
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Meetings Planned to Discuss Bovine TB
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) issued a reminder of three public meetings scheduled next week at which they will address the current status of bovine tuberculosis in Indiana and outline proposed actions the two agencies have planned for the upcoming deer hunting seasons. The meetings will be from 7 to 9 p.m. local time. Dates and locations are:
Indiana Signs Ag Trade Agreement with Taiwan
On Friday, Indiana signed a major agricultural trade agreement with the nation of Taiwan. This multi-million dollar agreement is part of a larger purchase by Taiwan from the Midwest over the next year. “We are thrilled to welcome the Taiwan Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission to Indiana,” said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. “Taiwan is an important trade partner for Indiana agriculture, and we are delighted to have this opportunity to showcase the quality of corn and soybeans produced by Indiana farmers.” Every 2 years a grain buying team from Taiwan visits Indiana to sign a letter of intent that will guarantee large corn and soybean export sales.
Finalists Named in Indiana Young Farmer Awards
Finalists have been selected for the two statewide awards given to young farmers by Indiana Farm Bureau. Young Farmer Achievement Award finalists are Paul Rumple, Adams County; Orville and Jessica Haney, Kosciusko County; and Joe and Angela Mann, Putnam County. Finalists for the Excellence in Agriculture Award are Mark and Denise Scarborough, LaPorte County; Jason and Erin Tower, Dubois County; and Steve and Kimmie Gauck, Decatur County. The Young Farmer Achievement Award recognizes young farmers whose farm management techniques and commitment to their communities set a positive example for those involved in production agriculture, while the Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers who are involved in agriculture in ways other than as farm owners.
SW Indiana Corn Yields Disappointing
While the soybean harvest is underway in the northern part of the state, corn is the focus of southern Indiana growers. Crops in Southwest Indiana are ready, but heavy rains this week have kept harvest activity to a minimum. Jon Neufelder is the Extension Educator in Posey County, ”Nobody is getting too serious about harvest yet; I would say only about 10% of the corn has been cut.” Early yield reports on the corn have been a bit disappointing, “There has been a lot of 180 bpa corn; and, on some of the hills, we have seen some 160 bpa yields.” Neufelder attributes the lower yield numbers to thin stands and washed out spots. Most of the early corn was planted in April when heavy rains hit this part of the state.
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Indiana Soybeans Turning Colors
Many soybean acres across the state have turned color and begun shedding leaves, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Diseases in soybeans continue to be a growing concern as white mold and aphids seem to be spreading. Silage, seed corn, and tomato harvest continued during the week. A very limited amount of corn and soybeans have been harvested at this time. Rains have been spotty in several counties causing drought stress to crops in these areas. Farmers have been busy cleaning out grain bins and preparing equipment for the upcoming harvest. There were 6.0 days suitable for field work during the week.
2008 Report Starts Farm Safety and Health Week on Sober Note
This is National Farm Safety and Health Week and it begins with sobering news from the 2008 Indiana farm fatality report released over the weekend. In 2006 there were just eight farm-work-related fatalities, the lowest number ever recorded. But the number jumped to 24 in 2007 and jumped again last year to 28. Dr. Bill Field, Professor in Agriculture and Biological Engineering at Purdue, said tractors and machinery were the leading fatality causes last year. That’s been the norm the last thirty years. “It’s the single biggest problem out there,” said Field. “Tractor overturns accounts for about 25% percent on average of all the fatalities. So if we’re going to focus our energies on any one particular area, it would be tractor overturns, because we know that’s the single biggest killer.”
Crop Adviser Award Nominations Sought
Indiana Farm Bureau and the Indiana Certification Crop Adviser Board are seeking nominations for the Indiana Certified Crop Adviser of the Year Award. “As farm management and regulations become increasingly complex, it’s important to have a knowledgeable crop adviser,” said Bob Cherry, who directs IFB’s industry relations effort. “It’s also important to recognize those advisers who go above and beyond to help farmers make decisions that affect their businesses.” To be considered for the Indiana Certified Crop Adviser Award, a CCA must be certified in Indiana and nominated by a county Farm Bureau, by an active Farm Bureau member or by the employer of the CCA. Other agricultural groups may suggest nominations. However, the nomination form must be signed by the county Farm Bureau president.
Ag Chair says too Much on Senate Plate for Cap and Trade
Newly named Senate Ag Committee Chair Blanche Lincoln says she was pleased to hear Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid acknowledge it would be tough to finish climate change, or cap and trade, legislation this year. Lincoln says she’s been saying that for a couple of months now. In fact she takes it one step further, stating she doesn’t think we’ll see the measure in the Senate this year. Lincoln says Senators already have a full plate in front of them. “I’m in the middle of a hearing right now on health care in the finance committee, which will be doing an awful lot of work over the next two weeks in health care. You still have financial reg reform and all the appropriations bills. There’s just a host of different things on our plate right now. And there are just too many unanswered questions, in my opinion, on cap and trade. Over in the Ag committee we’ll also be dealing with CFTC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. We’ve seen after all of what occurred about this time last year still we haven’t done what’s necessary to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
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Indiana Corn Production Up; Soybean, Wheat Production Down
Based on conditions September 1, Indiana’s 2009 corn production is forecast at 903.0 million bushels, up 3 percent from the 873.6 million bushels produced in 2008. The expected yield of 163 bushels per acre is up 3 bushels from last year. The 5.54 million acres for harvest is 1 percent above the acreage harvested last year, but unchanged from the August estimate. As of September 6, corn condition was rated 63 percent good to excellent. Soybean production is forecast at 235.6 million bushels, down 4 percent from the 244.4 million bushels produced in 2008. The expected yield of 43 bushels per acre is down 2 bushels from last year. The acreage expected to be harvested for beans, at 5.48 million acres, is up 1 percent from 2008, but unchanged from the August estimate. As of September 6, soybean condition was rated 63 percent good to excellent.
Biodiesel Has Positive Affect on Soybean Prices
A new study funded by the United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff reveals that U.S. soybean farmers received an additional 2.5-billion dollars in net returns over the last four years due to the biodiesel industry’s demand for soybean oil. This demand added up to 25 cents in support for the per-bushel price of soybeans. USB Domestic Marketing Chair Lewis Bainbridge says – this is a significant return on investment for soybean farmers. Because the price of petroleum diesel has such a large influence on the price of biodiesel and soybean oil, the study asserts that the biodiesel industry has essentially created a new floor for soybean oil prices. The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri predicts that soybean oil will be used as the feedstock for approximately 54 percent of the biodiesel produced in marketing years 2009-2013. And the Institute adds prices for soybean oil and whole soybeans could continue to receive support from biodiesel production.
Indiana Pork Named ‘Hunger Hero’ by Feeding Indiana’s Hungry
Indiana Pork was honored to be named a ‘Hunger Hero’ at a luncheon celebrating Hunger Action Month hosted by Feeding Indiana’s Hungry (FIsH) yesterday at the Northwest Ag complex in Indianapolis. The award honors those who have made a significant impact on reducing hunger in Indiana. Indiana Pork was honored for its efforts related to the Million Meals Program aimed at providing one million pork meals annually to hungry Hoosiers.
Daniels Trade Mission Covers Agriculture and Energy
Yesterday, on his trade mission to China, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels focused on agriculture and renewable energy. Daniels and Purdue University Vice Provost for Engagement Dr. Victor Lechtenberg met with the director general and other senior officials from the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Agriculture to discuss the agricultural ties between Zhejiang and Indiana. The government agency is responsible for implementation of the national agricultural policy, rural economic development and welfare, and coordination of outside investment. After receiving a briefing on the state of agriculture in Zhejiang, Daniels and Lechtenberg discussed the breadth of Zhejiang agriculture; Indiana’s pork, poultry and soybean exports; and Purdue’s role in agricultural technology development. “Agriculture in Zhejiang is much more diversified than in Indiana, but there remains a need in Zhejiang for many of the agricultural products that are produced in our state, so I think there is great potential and opportunity for future trade,” said Lechtenberg.
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Dear industry partner and friend,
As you may know, we are in a time of great excitement and transition at the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). Last week, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman made an announcement about new leadership at the Department. I am returning to Washington D.C. next month to serve American agriculture– including Indiana– on Capitol Hill as Chief Counsel for the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee under ranking member Senator Saxby Chambliss. Joe Kelsay, a sixth generation dairy producer, has been named as the next Indiana Agriculture Director and will come on board once harvest is finished. Click here and scroll to August for a copy of the news release making this announcement.
Please know that my decision to leave ISDA was difficult and made with a great deal of consideration and prayer. What has made this choice so difficult is how much I enjoy the incredible chance that I have to work with people like each of you in my current role as Director. But, there are many issues right now in Washington that pose a significant threat to the future of American agriculture– including Indiana– such as climate change, changes to the Clean Water Act, and animal welfare. And, when I think about where I can have the biggest impact for Indiana agriculture I believe this is where I need to be to best serve you.
With that background, let me say that we are most excited about Joe’s appointment as the next Director. From his tireless passion for agriculture, to his entrepreneurial spirit, to his direct production knowledge, Joe is well prepared to carry forward the momentum we have building in the Department right now– momentum in implementation of the update to our strategic plan and the continued need to be a voice for Indiana agriculture.
Today, we are even more excited to share an additional announcement with you about this new leadership. This morning, Lt. Governor Skillman has named Tony Hahn as the Deputy Agriculture Director. Click http://www.in.gov/portal/news_events/42156.htm for a copy of the news release making this announcement. Tony has been with the Department since 2007 and currently serves as the Chief of Staff at ISDA. In this role, he has been responsible for managing all operations functions at the Department as well as grant assistance. Importantly, he also played a central role in updating the Department’s strategic plan earlier this year.
Going forward, Tony will be a strong partner for Joe as they continue to build on our momentum. From their early days as undergraduate students at Purdue, Joe and Tony have known each other for many years and worked together in a variety of capacities to better the industry. Joe has a deep respect for Tony’s gift in working with people, industry experience and time of service at the Department– and is very much looking forward to the promise of what they can accomplish together.
Thank you for your continued support of our team.
With gratitude,
Anne Hazlett
Indiana Agriculture Director
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Purdue University will once again partner with Ohio State University at Farm Science Review, which will be Sept. 22-24 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio. “This is the fifth year of our partnership with Ohio State University at the Farm Science Review,” said Chuck Hibberd, director of the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service. “It’s been exciting to see the two universities work together and create educational programming that is valued and utilized by attendees of this event.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about equipment, products and services that are new to the industry. There will be more than 4,000 products on display from more than 600 commercial exhibitors spread across 600 acres of farmland.
“Purdue has about 18 specialists that will travel to the Farm Science Review,” said Danica Kirkpatrick, Purdue Agriculture events coordinator.
Chad Martin will speak about energy audits at 11:30 a.m. and 1:40 p.m. and wind energy at 1 p.m. at the Question the Authorities stage on Sept. 22.
Rob Chapman will speak about wildlife sounds at noon and native grasses at 1:30 p.m. at the Gwynne Conservation Cabin on Sept. 22 and 23.
Julie Douglas will speak about current agriculture issues at 2:20 p.m. Sept. 22, 11:15 a.m. Sept. 23 and noon Sept. 24 at the Question the Authorities stage.
Lenny Farlee will speak about tree planting and conservation at the Gwynne Conservation Area at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 23 and 24.
Roy Ballard will give advice on how to prepare a farm to become an agritourism destination at noon Sept. 23 and how to increase sales at farmers’ markets at 2 p.m. the same day at the Small Farms Tent.
Fred Whitford will discuss the chem load rinse pad during sessions on Sept. 22-24.
Purdue exhibits at the show include:
* Invest in Your Future: Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees, located at the McCormick Building. The purpose of the exhibit is to make elementary schoolchildren and their families aware of personal finance and basic economics.
* The Bone Zone Mini Exhibit, located at the McCormick Building. The exhibit is targeted toward children in kindergarten through eighth grade and their families and focuses on the importance of diet, exercise and healthy bones.
* What Does it Take to be Today’s Farmer? located at the Firebaugh Building. The exhibit gives visitors a view of what the modern farmer has to do to be successful.
* Breaking New Ground will have an exhibit in the safety area at OSU Central, while the Purdue Extension Renewable Energy program will have an exhibit on wind and biomass energy, biofuels, and how to improve farm efficiency. For more information, visit http://fsr.osu.edu. Tickets are $8 at the gate or $5 in advance when purchased from county offices of OSU Extension or participating agribusinesses. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 22-23 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24. Farm Science Review is sponsored by OSU’s College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Science; Ohio State University Extension; and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.
