Indiana Seed Weblog

Indiana’s Hog Inventory Down 4 Percent
Indiana producers had a total inventory of 3.5 million hogs and pigs on June 1, 2009, down 4 percent from a year earlier, reports the state field office of USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service.  Market hogs, at 3.2 million head were 4 percent below last year. Breeding inventory, at 270,000 head, was 7 percent below the previous year.

Indiana Key to USDA Crop Report

The much anticipated June Crop report will be released Tuesday, and Indiana will be a focal point of the acreage report. “This will be one of the trickiest reports to analyze,” says Jim Bower of Bower Trading in Lafayette. He told HAT that the figure the market will be watching closely is the planted acreage number for corn, “The average of guesses is 84.158 million acres but the range of guesses goes from 82.47 on the low end to 86.0 on the high end.” With much of the planting delay occurring in the eastern Corn Belt, Indiana and Illinois will be the key to the acerage number. Bower said, in addition to the planted acreage, the quality of the crop in Indiana and Illinois will also be an issue for the market to consider, “Much of the corn in southern Indiana and Illinois got in late and there is a real question on just how good of shape that crop is in and how much actually got planted.”  

Philip Lehmkuhler to Serve as Indiana State Director for Rural Development
The Obama Administration Monday announced that Philip Lehmkuhler will serve as Indiana State Director for Rural Development at the USDA. “Philip Lehmkuhler will be an important advocate on behalf of rural communities throughout the state and help administer the valuable programs and services provided by the USDA that can enhance their economic success,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Indiana Corn at 62 Percent Good to Excellent
The recent warm temperatures coupled with adequate topsoil moisture has spurred growth and development in the major field crops, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. However, the warm weather has also allowed a considerable amount of weeds to grow as many farmers are still running behind with herbicide applications. Winter wheat harvest continues to move northward with varying yields and test weights being reported. Planting of soybeans continues in many areas. Some operations are still finishing first cuttings of hay while others have already begun working on second cuttings. A few producers are still setting tobacco in southeastern counties.

Sam Turpin – Indiana Association Management

Indiana to Host Northern Nut Growers 100th Annual Meeting

The 100th annual meeting of the Northern Nut Growers Association will be held July 19-23 at Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana. The local arrangmenets chair is Jim McKenna with the USDA Forest Service and the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) at Purdue. He is working closely with the Purdue Conference Center and the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau to make this 100th annual NNGA meeting a memorable occasion.  Every effort is being made to hold down housing and registration costs so that more members will be able to attend in spite of high travel costs. To that end the FNR Department is contributing $2,000 to help offset conference expenses. Additional sponsorship dollars are being solicited from other groups and companies, including suppliers and state nut grower associations.

Surveys sent out to 4,000 farm operators
Nearly 4,000 Indiana farm operators are receiving surveys this month from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Statistics Service.  The survey is used to make accurate crop and livestock estimates. In addition to agricultural surveys of farmers, corn and soybean plots are randomly selected to aid in monitoring crop condition and potential yields during the growing season.  Farmers are encouraged to complete and return the surveys.  Facts about an individual’s farm or ranch are strictly confidential and used only in combination with reports from other farmers to produce agricultural statistics for Indiana and the nation.

Indiana Bean Planting Reaches 90 Percent

Harvest of the winter wheat crop has begun in some southern counties, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Winter wheat condition declined further during the week due to wind damage, standing water, and disease problems. Most producers with unplanted corn acreage have now decided to switch this acreage to soybeans or to take preventive plantings. Continued rain showers have slowed field work again this past week. Farmers are working against the weather to get soybeans planted, corn side dressed with nitrogen, herbicides applied, and hay cut and baled.

They help keep topsoil in the field and contaminants out of our water
How well are farmers doing at keeping topsoil in their fields and out of surface water?  That’s the question answered by a statewide Soil Tillage Transect Survey that’s going on right now. Elkhart County’s survey happened last week, and the results will be compiled with the rest of the state.

Sam Turpin – Indiana Association Management

REMINDER: Deadline June 30
For Nomination Form, visit www.lg.in.gov

Lt. Gov. Skillman talks to Charles “Shorty” Whittington, 2008’s AgriVision Award winner after being presented the award at the Indiana State Fair.

“Indiana’s roots are in agriculture, and generations of Hoosiers have worked hard to ensure the industry remains a significant part of the state’s economy,” said Lt. Gov. Skillman. “This award recognizes a proven trailblazer in Indiana’s agricultural industry, someone who helped maximize Indiana’s potential to be a global leader.” Individuals considered for the AgriVision Award come from all sectors of  agriculture, ranging

Mark Hermodson, emeritus professor of biochemistry, has been named interim director of Purdue University’s Office of Agricultural Research Programs (ARP) and associate dean of Purdue Agriculture. Also, Marshall Martin, ARP associate director, has been promoted to senior associate director and assistant dean. Hermodson replaces Sonny Ramaswamy, who becomes the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University on Aug. 1. 
The ARP director leads Purdue’s research programs in agriculture, food and natural resources, including fiscal management and regulatory functions, as well as coordinating agricultural research with the College of Consumer and Family Sciences and School of Veterinary Medicine.
Purdue Agriculture’s annual agricultural research budget is nearly $100 million, including almost $50 million in grants and contracts.
“Mark is a longtime Purdue faculty member, former head of the Department of Biochemistry and also held the interim director of ARP position when Randy Woodson was dean,” said Jay Akridge, Purdue’s Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture. “He has much respect across campus, and that respect, plus his leadership experience, will help us make this transition a smooth one.”
Hermodson is a native of Crookston, Minn. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and math from St. Olaf College in 1964 and a doctoral degree in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin in 1968. Hermodson joined the Purdue biochemistry faculty in 1977, where he has focused his research on protein structural studies, particularly membrane transport proteins.
In addition to his previous assignment as interim director of ARP, Hermodson was interim co-director of the Bindley Biosciences Center at Purdue’s Discovery Park from 2005-2007, when he retired.
“I am pleased to be asked to serve as interim associate dean and director of agricultural research while a search for a permanent director occurs,” Hermodson said. “I had the privilege of serving in that role for 13 months in 2004-2005 and found the perspective one gets from viewing the total research portfolio of the Agricultural Research Programs very interesting and stimulating.”
In his new role, Martin will represent ARP in all off-campus activities. His responsibilities have been expanded to include working with Indiana commodity groups on research funding.
Martin provides oversight for federal formula funding and Purdue Agricultural Centers. He serves on the boards of the Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Pork Board, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, North Central Agricultural Research Directors Association, Indiana Crop Improvement Association and Agricultural Alumni Seed Improvement Association. He teaches a capstone course in problem solving for decision makers in the Indiana University-Purdue University MS/MBA distance learning program in food and agribusiness.
Martin is an agricultural economist, specializing in agricultural policy and technology assessment, with an emphasis on biotechnology. A native of Kewanee, Ill., Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and economics from Iowa State University in 1966 and master’s and doctoral degrees in agricultural economics from Purdue in 1972 and 1976, respectively.
He joined the Purdue faculty in 1976. Prior to his current ARP position Martin was the associate head of the Department of Agricultural Economics.
Martin has extensive international agricultural policy and development experience in Latin America, Europe and Africa.

Beck’s Press Release

Sam Turpin – Indiana Association Management

Factors Impacting Indiana Yields
Now that most of the crop in Indiana is in the ground, the focus turns to yield.   Deryl Starr, with Advanced Ag Solutions, says we are entering the time of the season that will determine a corn plant’s yield potential or yield loss. He says planting the crop in fields that were too wet is likely to cause root damage and be a factor in limiting yield this year. The cool weather may also be an issue in crop development and eventual yield, “The cool weather may slow development and some of the nodes may be tighter around the collar but that should not be extremely damaging to yield yet. I still have hopes we will get a good corn crop.” He said getting more heat units will be critical over the next few weeks. As for soybeans, Star says this year’s crop is getting off to a better start than last year, “Last year we saw a lot more difficult time with the early soybean crop.” He said this year the crop seems to be rooting all right and gathering plenty of sunlight.

80th Indiana FFA State Convention Begins Three Day Run
“Live with Pride Serve with Passion” will serve as the theme for the 80th Indiana FFA State Convention to be held on the campus of Purdue University Monday through Wednesday this week. The convention is the yearly gathering of the 9,500 members of the Indiana FFA Organization. The 2009 convention is highlighted by three keynote speakers who will bring their experiences to several of the general sessions offered. Speakers scheduled to participate include Tom Zupancic, the Senior Vice President for the Indianapolis Colts Marketing and Sales, Chad Hymas, a motivational speaker, and the National FFA President, Paul Moya. Additionally, state winners in each of the 47 Supervised Agricultural Experience areas will be awarded while this year’s class of Hoosier FFA Degree recipients will be honored. FFA members who have reached the state level of their respective Career Development Events will also be credited on stage for their work. 

Purdue Sorghum Researcher Wins World Food Prize

Gebisa Ejeta, Distinguished Professor of Agronomy at Purdue University, on Thursday was named the recipient of the World Food Prize for research leading to the increased production and availability of sorghum in his native Africa.  Ejeta, a plant breeder and geneticist, developed sorghum varieties resistant to drought and Striga, a parasitic weed. Sorghum is a major food crop for more than 500 million people on the African continent.  The World Food Prize is considered the Nobel Prize of agriculture. It is awarded each year by the World Food Prize Foundation to individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food worldwide. Norman E. Borlaug, winner of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize, established the World Food Prize in 1986.  The award announcement was made at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and World Food Prize Foundation President Kenneth Quinn. Ejeta will receive his $250,000 award at an Oct. 15 ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa.  Ejeta is the second Purdue professor to receive the World Food Prize in three years. Philip Nelson, the Scholle Chair Professor in Food Processing and former head of Purdue’s Department of Food Science, won the award in 2007 for developing aseptic bulk storage and distribution, a technology for transporting processed fruits and vegetables without product spoilage.

Sam Turpin – Indiana Association Management

Late Indiana Corn Off To A Fast Start
While some Hoosier farmers continue to struggle to get this year‘s crop planted, others say their crops are in and early stands are looking good. Several weeks ago, Todd Heller of Greenfield had yet to start planting. Now he reports the crop is in and looking good, “We have managed to dodge the big showers and got a few of the little ones that really helped the crop get off to a good start.” He told HAT that he finally started planting on May 21 and finished on May 27. Since then, the corn has emerged quickly and early stands look good.  While he is all corn this year, his neighbors who are planting soybeans also report good early development, “We will have a few guys finishing up beans, but most are coming up pretty good.” He said the weather and field conditions favor a quick conclusion to soybean planting.

‘The Agricultural Vision of Abraham Lincoln’ Exhibit Opens June 15
An ox yoke made by Abraham Lincoln, a letter from George Washington about gardening, and the only known intact 1918 John Deere all-wheel-drive tractor are among the items featured in Illinois Stories: “How Vast and How Varied a Field…” The Agricultural Vision of Abraham Lincoln, a new exhibit opening June 15 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in downtown Springfield. The exhibit, in the Museum’s Illinois Gallery, runs through August 31.  The exhibit follows the history of American agriculture from the late 1700s to the present with emphasis on Lincoln’s contributions — as president, he appointed the first U.S. Agriculture Secretary and supported federal programs to modernize farming. Original Lincoln documents and artifacts are displayed alongside antique farm implements in this entertaining and thought-provoking exhibit.

Indiana Planting Continues To Make Progress.
Planting of corn and soybeans progressed rapidly on soils that were dry enough to support equipment, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. During the week many farmers were side-dressing corn with nitrogen, spraying herbicides on corn and soybean fields and re-planting drowned out spots. It has been difficult for some farmers to find enough rain-free days in a row to complete their first cutting of hay. Harvest time for winter wheat is rapidly approaching in southern counties as some of the wheat has started to turn color. Some hail damage in wheat fields occurred during the week and a few disease problems have developed.  Ninety percent of the intended corn acreage has been planted compared with 93 percent last year and 98 percent for the 5-year average. By area, 97 percent has been planted in the north, 92 percent in the central region, and 75 percent in the south. Seventy-two percent of the corn crop has emerged compared with 81 percent last year and 92 percent for the 5-year average.

Chinese Pork Producers Attend Purdue Short Course
A group of 10 Chinese pork producers, hosted by the U.S. Grains Council, spent two days last week learning about U.S. production practices and issues including topics from animal welfare and sow housing to alternative feeds and artificial insemination.  “Of the visiting Chinese producers, half of them use U.S. genetics,” said Brian Richert, Purdue Extension swine management specialist who was among the short course speakers.  Allen Bridges, Extension reproductive specialist and also one of the speakers, said this means producers and researchers here have to think about the logistics of getting our genetics to producers in China.

Sam Turpin – Indiana Association Management

Beck’s Hybrids and Brown Seed Enterprises Form Alliance
Atlanta, Indiana and Neoga, Illinois, June 9, 2009 – Beck’s Hybrids and Brown Seed Enterprises have entered into an alliance that combines the strengths of both companies to enhance the products and services offered to farmers in central and southern Illinois.

Business continues exploring Lake County for ethanol site

An Evansville businessman said he is still trying to find a Lake County community willing to let him pay millions of dollars in new taxes and put hundreds of residents to work.  “It just doesn’t make good sense,” Earl Powers, president and chief executive officer of Powers Energy of Evansville, said this week as his search for a site to build a $211 million garbage-to-ethanol plant enters its seventh month.  The Lake County Solid Waste Management gave Powers a contract last year to build a factory that will heat municipal waste into a gaseous state that distills into the alternative automotive fuel.

Marshall business helping Terre Haute Children’s Museum’s farming exhibit grow
An area manufacturing firm will provide several pieces of material handling equipment to give young visitors to the new Terre Haute Children’s Museum’s agriculture exhibit a hands-on experience with farming.  Larry Yargus, president of Yargus Manufacturing Inc. in Marshall, Ill., said his company will be developing and building a conveyor and three small augers for the exhibit.  “We’ll be putting in a conveyor that the kids can operate with a hand crank to show how grain is moved as a part of the process on the farm,” Yargus said. “Also we’re looking at donating three small auger systems that can be operated by the kids to carry soybeans or corn or plastic pellets.”

Vilsack to Visit Indiana on Tuesday
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be visiting Indiana to host events noted below.  From 9:15 to 10:00 a.m., Vilsack will announce that USDA will distribute millions of dollars for projects that will improve water quality, increase water supply, decrease soil erosion, and improve fish and wildlife habitat in rural communities. Thirteen states will benefit from this investment made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

Soybean Checkoff Announces See for Yourself Participants
What better way for an organization to evaluate the effectiveness of its programs than to invite its investors to assess for themselves the types of programs their investments are funding? To that end, the United Soybean Board (USB), St. Louis, and soybean checkoff have announced the list of 10 soybean farmers who will be taking part in the second annual See for Yourself program this summer.

Sam Turpin – Indiana Association Management