Indiana Seed Weblog

2008 Indiana Master Farmers Honored
Excellence in Indiana farming and community leadership was honored Wednesday at the Purdue Agronomy Center when the 2008 Master Farmer awards were presented. The honorees this year are Robert Bishop, Leesburg, Thomas Johnson, Redkey, Jim Lankford, Martinsville, and Rory Walker of Waterloo. Entomologist Tom Turpin from Purdue is the newest honorary Master Farmer.
http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/wire/news/01234_08master_171841.php

Celebrate Trees at Indiana State Fair
2008 is the Indiana State Fair’s “Year of the Trees!” While many Hoosiers are familiar with corn or soybeans as one of Indiana’s commodity crops, most are not as familiar with the $17 billion economic impact of Indiana’s hardwoods industry. So, how does exporting hardwood lumber and products help Indiana? Tree or sustainable logging export hardwood lumber and products to an overseas company for further processing or sold to an Indiana company for further processing then exported or sold to consumers globally or domestically ? sold to consumers globally or domestically Governor Daniels and Lt. Governor Skillman have led a total of 7 trade missions, with 3 of those agriculturally-focused trade missions. They recognize that 96 percent of all consumers live outside of the United States, which makes foreign trade fundamental to the growth and revitalization of Indiana’s economy.
http://www.indianaagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=570&yr=2008

Lugar says science is key to food crisis
Countries that ban foods made from genetically modified crops should rethink their opposition, Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., said Tuesday. “In some parts of the world, farmers are trying to feed their families with technology that would not seem out of place in biblical times,” he said.
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080730/NEWS03/807300389/1002/LOCAL

Emergency farm loan applications being accepted
The Farm Service Agency will be accepting applications for emergency loans for Secretarial National Disaster Declaration No. 2657 through Aug. 27, 2008. These loans may be made for damages and losses to crops due to extended drought conditions that occurred from June 5, 2007 through Nov. 7, 2007. Effective Dec. 27, 2007, Rush County was designated as a natural disaster area due to being contiguous to one or more counties in Indiana where extensive damage was reported.
http://www.rushvillerepublican.com/agnews/local_story_211100155.html?keyword=topstory

Floods have stripped tons of Midwest’smost valuable resource – soil
Jim Lankford’s corn crops used to stretch to the White River. Now the river has stretched itself through his crops. The river eroded a new route for itself during June’s flooding, a channel with steep 12-foot banks at the edge of some of Lankford’s corn fields about 30 miles southwest of Indianapolis. The flood spread rocks in other spots, making it look as if Lankford planted soybeans in a gravel road. Elsewhere, silt is piled up like sand dunes and uprooted trees still litter cornfields more than a month after the floods. “It’s the worst I’ve ever seen in my life for this area,” the 62-year-old farmer said.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/jul/28/farms-hit-hard-by-erosion/

Indiana Growers Find Seed Treatments Helpful This Year
With the price of soybeans, and the price of soybean seed both on the rise, more and more Indiana growers are Turning to the use of a fungicide seed treatment. This year’s weather, with an excessively wet spring, was a perfect example of how seed treatments can work to increase yields, says Mike Reed with Bayer Crop Science, “If you get saturated soils 48 to 72 hours after planting, you are going to have disease problems.” That is the exact situation many Indiana growers found themselves in this year. Reed told HAT that there are a lot of misconceptions by farmers about seed treatments.
http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/wire/news/01196_seed_treatment_172230.php

Indiana to Share in USDA’s $6.9 Million for Renewable Energy, Efficiency Projects
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer Tuesday announced that 27 individuals and businesses in seven states have been selected to receive $6.9 million in loans and grants for renewable energy systems or to increase energy efficiency in farm and business operations. The funds are being provided under USDA Rural Development’s Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. One award was made in Indiana.
http://www.indianaagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=551&yr=2008

Indiana Corn Farmers Encouraged to Enter National Corn Yield Contest
Earlier this month, 61 percent of Indiana’s corn acreage was reported to be in good to excellent condition by the Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service. This could be a signal for Hoosier corn farmers to consider entering the 2008 National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC), which has an entry deadline of August 1. Last year, three Indiana farmers were among the 27 corn growers from across the country to achieve top numbers in the 2007 NCYC sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). “Having three Hoosier corn farmers recognized in the national yield contest last year says a lot about the vitality of our state’s corn industry,” said Mike Shuter, president of Indiana Corn Marketing Council from Frankton, Ind. “While parts of our state have struggled this growing season with flooding and excessive rain, other areas – especially to the north – have experienced the right growing conditions for corn so far this year.”
http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/wire/news/01194_corn_yyield_122014.php

Future of U.S. farmland looks profitable
With an assist from the push for ethanol, the value of farmland has increased over the past couple of years, and per-acre prices are not expected to decline in the near future. That’s the assessment heard Monday by more than 100 people attending the Top Farmer Crop Workshop at Purdue University. Kansas State University agricultural economist Terry Kastens presented a report on the future of U.S. land prices. He explained that non-agricultural influences — including residential and retail developments — have helped push up prices for farmland. And although the buildup of ethanol plants has slowed a bit, they are still a factor in boosting corn prices, which also makes agricultural acres more valuable
http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080722/BUSINESS/807220325/1059&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL
Livestock certification to increase awareness of Indiana agriculture
Indiana has always been an agricultural state. Now a new government accreditation program intends to shine a brighter light on that part of the Hoosier identity. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture recognized its first four Certified Livestock Producers Monday during a presentation at one of the recipient’s farms. The farmers, each specializing in a different livestock, earned accreditation for cutting-edge practices entailing the environment, animal health and food safety, emergency planning, biosecurity, and being good neighbors. Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, who spoke at the presentation, said agriculture continues to drive Indiana’s rural economies.
http://www.flyergroup.com/local/local_story_203155205.html

Illinois Ag Economists Predict Indiana Yields
Since floods rolled through the Midwest this year there has been much concern about what the end result will be for corn and soybean yields. The University of Illinois is now using one method to predict lower yields for Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, but a possible increase this year nationally, compared to trend yields. Ag economists at Illinois have adopted the work of Iowa State’s Louie Thompson to develop a new crop weather model for the 2008 growing season.
http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/wire/news/01183_goodpredict_215337.php
Corn a cash crop for hard-working kids
For most of Decatur County’s younger denizens, the summer season provides a welcome vacation from the rigors of school, homework and athletics. But for some, summer brings the opportunity to make some cash, and many local kids head out into the cornfields to find it. Younger kids who may be unable to find summer employment elsewhere will often seek to make money by detasseling. Detasseling is the act of removing the pollen-making tassel from a corn plant and dropping it on the ground. This is done to hybridize two different varieties of corn, so all the grain growing on the plants will be fertilized by the other variety’s tassels. This often results in higher crop yields.
http://www.greensburgdailynews.com/youth2/local_story_202214217.html?keyword=topstory

Presidential Candidates Pledge Support to Agriculture
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s Council of Presidents has been meeting this week in Washington D.C. and on Wednesday were addressed via teleconference by presumptive presidential candidates Barrack Obama and John McCain. Both pledged their support of American agriculture.
http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/wire/news/01175_candidatesatAFB_103345.php
USDA Makes Additional Funds Available for Farmers
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced an additional $200 million will be made available through the 2008 Farm Bill to help farmers nationwide to solve natural resource problems through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers EQIP, which provides financial and technical assistance to producers. “These additional funds will help our Indiana farmers in addressing critical natural resource issues,” said Indiana NRCS State Conservationist Jane Hardisty. “With this announcement, Indiana will receive $9 million through EQIP that will help us fund a large number of the 402 EQIP applications in backlog.”
http://www.indianaagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=531&yr=2008
Help available for agricultural land damage
The Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with the Indiana State Soil and Conservation Board and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, is assessing the Shelby County landowners’ needs for disaster recovery assistance, a Shelby County SWCD spokeswoman said Monday. Potential funding will be based on the amount of damage and destruction that agricultural lands received and will be administered only through the Shelby County SWCD.
http://www.shelbynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=93&ArticleID=56515&TM=23510.52

Young Farmer Award Deadline Nears
Young farmers who are members of Indiana Farm Bureau have a few more days to apply for the IFB Young Farmer Achievement Award or Excellence in Agriculture Award. “Indiana has had three national young farmer winners in the last four years — our young farmers can compete with the best in the nation,” said Chris Fenner, IFB Young Farmer program coordinator. “We have so many young members making a difference in their communities and I consider these applications a great opportunity for them to review their operations and get recognition for their management skills or their contributions to the agriculture industry.”
http://www.indianaagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=521&yr=2008

Agenda set for Top Farmer workshop at Purdue
Information that goes beyond crop production and prices will be presented to several dozen farmers during four days next week at Purdue University. The 41st annual Top Farmer Crop Workshop, which begins Sunday, will feature more than 40 sessions on topics that range from land prices and no-till farming to cellulosic energy and robotic agriculture. “Top Farmer is designed to help commercial producers achieve their goals through improved management,” said Bruce Erickson, workshop coordinator and Purdue Extension cropping systems director. “We cover everything from the newest information on crop technology and management practices to helping farmers decide if a technology or management practice fits their operation.”
http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080715/NEWS0501/807150331/1001/NEWS

Who can afford corn? Almost no one, Purdue economist said
Inexpensive and abundant corn helped move the ethanol industry onto the alternative fuels fast lane. With corn prices now at record highs, demand outpacing supply and crop losses inevitable with the Midwest floods, ethanol production could soon be stalled, a Purdue University Extension agricultural economist said. As corn prices continue climbing, fewer ethanol producers can afford the feedstock, Chris Hurt said. In turn, domestic livestock producers and foreign buyers are finding it more difficult either to pay the high prices or obtain the grain they need, he said.
http://www.rushvillerepublican.com/agnews/local_story_185114054.html

Farm profits swept away
As the June floodwaters recede and saturated fields dry out in Central and Southern Indiana, farmers and conservation experts are getting an up-close look at farmland erosion that ranks among the worst in state history. Officials estimate it will take millions of dollars to clean up and restore damaged cropland, some of which is so badly scarred it might be beyond repair.  “It took our most valuable resource we have in the state of Indiana, and that is our soil,” said state conservationist Jane Hardisty. “We’re talking millions of tons of soil that have been lost. There are going to be some places that will never produce a good crop again.”
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080714/LOCAL/807140374/1001/NEWS

Governors look at moving to next phase of ethanol
The debate over using corn for fuel — and whether it’s driving up food prices — has been one focus of the nation’s governors meeting in Philadelphia. At their summer meeting yesterday, they talked about moving beyond ethanol that is made just from food sources. They’re not talking about doing away with the corn-based fuel, but instead about supplementing it with products made from materials such as switchgrass or wood waste.  The ethanol industry says there are already 134 ethanol plants in 26 states, with dozens more under construction or expanding.
http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8668897

Corn Stocks in USDA Report Higher Than Expected
Crop numbers in July’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate report released Friday by the Agriculture Department are generally in line with what the industry was expecting, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Corn stocks came in higher than expected and wheat and soybean stocks generally met expectations, said Terry Francl, AFBF senior economist.
http://www.indianaagconnection.com/story-national.php?Id=1635&yr=2008

Immigration under study
Lawmakers are taking a look at possible immigration laws this summer in preparation for the 2009 legislative session. State Rep. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, has been selected by Indiana’s legislative leaders to serve this summer on the Interim Study Committee on Immigration. The primary goal is studying the economic impact of illegal immigration in Indiana, Koch said in a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon. The committee will consist of 12 legislators, six from the House of Representatives and six from the Senate, and will meet and hold hearings during the summer. The committee will submit its findings and recommendations to legislative leaders by Nov. 1, before the 2009 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
http://www.tribtown.com/news/immigration_8830___article.html/session_koch.html

School lunch programs hit hard by food prices
Add schools to the list of places hit hard by rising food prices.The school lunch program _ long a reliable source of food for kids _ is having serious trouble making cheap, healthy meals. The culprit is food prices that have rocketed higher as fuel prices rise. It’s not just the zooming cost of oil and gas; food prices are also driven by demand for corn-based ethanol, worldwide demand for food and the weak dollar, among other things.  These far-flung factors have combined to put the squeeze on school kitchens, which provide free and reduced-price lunches, as well as full-price lunches, for more than half of the nation’s 60 million school children. “We are struggling to make ends meet,” Katie Wilson, president-elect of the School Nutrition Association, told members of the House Education and Labor Committee on Wednesday. “We simply don’t have the funds to continue on with this.”
http://wibc.com/news/article.aspx?id=1459133

State Treasurer Richard Mourdock announced the establishment of the Treasurer’s Conservation Assistance Program (T-CAP) to provide assistance to Hoosier farmers who have suffered damages to their farmlands due to recent flooding throughout the state.

“Within hours of Hoosier farmlands being flooded in Central and Southern Indiana, Governor Daniels contacted me asking what assistance our office could provide to the farmers affected,” explained Treasurer Mourdock. “To assist in the process of restoring Hoosier farmlands, I am providing $50,000,000 of state deposits that will be a source of low cost loans to Indiana farmers. Under the United States Department of Agriculture programs these funds will be considered ‘local’ monies and thus result in federal matching grants of more than $200,000,000. The leveraging of state dollars to help acquire federal monies is a win-win for Indiana farmers.”

“Governor Daniels and I want to make sure our Hoosier farmers have all the resources they need to get back to work,” stated Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. “The restoration aid will help farmers recover from damages and keep our agricultural industry strong.”

The USDA provides federal matching funds through a number of programs. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA)’s Division of Soil Conservation works with the USDA to ensure that conservation projects benefiting Hoosier farmers get completed. Specifically, the T-CAP program will provide funding for repair or reconstruction of conservation structures and conservation practices that were destroyed by the flooding.

The $50,000,000 in funding from the Treasurer of State’s Office will be a “linked-deposit” program in partnership with local financial institutions. The Treasurer of State’s Office will purchase certificates of deposit (CD) from local banks at a reduced rate of interest, and in turn the bank will provide a loan to the farmer at a reduced rate of interest. (CDs purchased by the Treasurer of State’s Office will be the Federal Fund Rate - 1.5% with a floor at .50%. Local financial institutions will provide loans to the farmers at 2.25% above the Treasurer’s CD rate.) Rates will be fixed for the one year term of the loan. A loan made today under this formula would result in a cost of 2.75% to the farmer.

“I am pleased the Treasurer’s Office will play a part in helping Hoosiers farmers restore their flood damaged farmlands,” stated Treasurer Mourdock. “I would like to thank ISDA’s Director Andy Miller and his staff, the USDA, and local financial institutions for their willingness to address the flooding emergency in our State.”