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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.
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Farmers Elect New Directors to Indiana Soybean Board
Two farmers from northeast Indiana recently were elected as first-time farmer-leaders on the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) board of directors. Tom Griffiths of Kendallville and Don Wyss of Ossian will join the ISA Board in January 2010 as representatives from District 2, which includes Adams, Allen, Blackford, Dekalb, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Huntington, Jay, La Grange, Madison, Noble, Randolph, Steuben, Wayne, Wells and Whitley counties.
Corvus Working Well in Indiana for Bayer CropSciences
Season-long control of grass and broadleaf weeds in corn fields got a boost this year from a new Bayer CropScience product called Corvus. As it turns out, Hoosier growers got the best look at Corvus during this limited supply, introductory year. Hoosier Ag Today spoke with Jeff Springsteen from Bayer CropScience, who told us, “Actually Indiana was our number one state as far as the amount of Corvus that we did get out this year. In the results we saw there was phenomenal control whether it was used in that pre-emergent application timing or at V2. With the wet year we had there were a lot more early post applications than we probably would have had in the past. And people really like using it at that V1, V2 stage, because with the residual that the product does have in it they never saw weeds come into those fields when they sprayed it.”
USDA Agrees to Help Indiana Pork Farmers
Indiana Pork Thursday praised U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for his decision to lend assistance to the U.S. pork industry to help it weather a nearly 2-year-old economic crisis that has put some producers out of business. The U.S. Department of Agriculture agreed to purchase up to $30 million of pork products, which will be used for various federal food programs. Secretary Vilsack, who heard from hundreds of hurting pork producers, announced the pork buy today. “The pork purchase being made by USDA will be a big help to the pork producers in Indiana,” said Michael Platt, Indiana Pork Executive Director. “We’re pleased that Secretary Vilsack has taken this important first step to help the Indiana pork industry, which contributes over $3 billion to the state economy and over 13,000 jobs.”
Time to fight cap and trade
The national debate on health care has raged for several months while a bill continues in Congress that could impact our nation’s economic health. The U.S. Senate will be voting on legislation that would negatively impact America’s competitiveness and put a disproportionate burden on all Hoosiers. As a geologist, I have more than a basic understanding of earth science and the processes that affect our planet. Fear-mongers would have you believe that human-induced climate change and rising sea levels are endangering the planet but they are plain wrong. It is poor science, at best, and certainly not a reason to add billions of dollars in costs to American products and utility bills.
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Farmers, landowners, lenders and agribusiness managers are invited to attend a Purdue Agriculture Outlook Update meeting in one of 41 counties on dates from September through December. “The outlook meetings are designed to preview the economic situation for agriculture in 2010,” said Chris Hurt, a Purdue University agricultural economics professor. “The intent is to help inform managers so they can make better business decisions.”
The recession has reduced the demand for agricultural products and led to lower farm and agribusiness incomes, Hurt said. During the meetings, he will address the recession, recovery strength and impact on the agricultural sector.
“Many are asking whether this is a temporary setback or whether a longer-term downward adjustment may be coming,” Hurt said. “In the past three years, both crop prices and costs boomed, but lower crop prices today are not being fully offset by lower costs of inputs. This means grain producers are facing much tighter margins.”
The outlook for land prices and cash rents also will be provided. Purdue’s Land Values Survey indicated that farmland dropped by 2 percent in 2009 after years of increases. In Indiana, farmland represents more than 80 percent of Indiana’s agricultural assets, so the direction of prices will greatly influence the sector’s financial well-being.
In addition, Hurt will discuss the outlook for animal agriculture, which has experienced heavy losses over the last year.
Ag Outlook meetings are currently scheduled for the following counties: Bartholomew, Clark, Clinton, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn, Decatur, DeKalb, Fulton, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Howard, Jasper, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Madison, Marshall, Newton, Orange, Owen, Parke, Posey, Pulaski, Rush, Scott, Starke, Sullivan, Tipton, Union, Vermillion, Wabash, Vermillion, Wabash, Warrick, Washington, Wayne, Wells and White.
Other county meetings could be added.
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Skillman Downplays Turnover at ISDA
After only 8 months on the job, Anne Hazlett is leaving the ISDA to return to Washington to serve on the staff of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman wasted no time in tapping Joe Kelsay, a 6th generation dairy farmer, to head the department. This follows several key staff position resignations that have occurred at ISDA in the past few months, including the director of communications. Skillman downplayed the turnover at ISDA, “We have no intention of slowing down and losing momentum; there is far too much at stake.” She said the turnover at ISDA is comparable to that in other state agencies. Kelsay told HAT he is ready to go to work, “At the end of the day, I am just a dairy farmer who is really passionate about agriculture.” He said the recently announced Strategic Plan, ironically announced on his farm in July, has set the direction for the department. Kelsey, who operates an agri-tourism program as part of his Johnson County farming operation, says telling the story of agriculture will be his top priority, “The non-farm public, and even some in agriculture, have misconceptions; and we need to address that.”
USDA Projects Net Farm Income Down 38 Percent
USDA said Thursday that dramatically lower commodity prices and plunging exports mean that 2009 net farm income is expected to be down 38 percent from 2008 estimates and 15 percent from the 10-year average. Net farm income is forecast to be $54 billion in 2009, down $33.2 billion from the preliminary estimate of $87.2 billion for 2008. The 2009 forecast is $9 billion below the average of $63.2 billion over the past 10 years. Net cash income, which takes into account the sale of carryover stocks from 2008, is expected to be down as well, but only by 30 percent from 2008 to $68.2 billion.
Indiana Crops Lag With Cool and Wet Conditions
Last week, much of Indiana experienced scattered rain showers and cooler than normal temperatures, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Northwestern and north central areas received the heaviest amounts of precipitation with some areas receiving over 3 inches of rain. Some central and eastern counties are still in need of rain while a few northern counties have sustained crop damage from the recent excess moisture. Reporters indicated that diseases in the soybean crop are becoming more evident as the season progresses. There is a growing concern that the corn and soybeans will not reach full maturity before the first frost.
FSA Begins Accepting Applications for New Biomass Crop Assistance Program
Julia A. Wickard, state executive director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Indiana announced that biomass conversion facilities can begin signing up to participate in the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, which will help increase production of renewable energy. The program, authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to producers who deliver eligible material to biomass conversion facilities and FSA will provide financial assistance to collect, harvest, store and transport eligible materials. “This program will benefit producers, the developing biomass industry, the general public and the environment as we continue working to expand production and availability of renewable energy,” said Wickard. “Owners of eligible material can receive financial assistance for delivering qualified biomass to conversion facilities that use biomass for heat, power, bio-based products or advanced biofuels.”
Filed under: News
Skillman Downplays Turnover at ISDA
After only 8 months on the job, Anne Hazlett is leaving the ISDA to return to Washington to serve on the staff of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman wasted no time in tapping Joe Kelsay, a 6th generation dairy farmer, to head the department. This follows several key staff position resignations that have occurred at ISDA in the past few months, including the director of communications. Skillman downplayed the turnover at ISDA, “We have no intention of slowing down and losing momentum; there is far too much at stake.” She said the turnover at ISDA is comparable to that in other state agencies. Kelsay told HAT he is ready to go to work, “At the end of the day, I am just a dairy farmer who is really passionate about agriculture.” He said the recently announced Strategic Plan, ironically announced on his farm in July, has set the direction for the department. Kelsey, who operates an agri-tourism program as part of his Johnson County farming operation, says telling the story of agriculture will be his top priority, “The non-farm public, and even some in agriculture, have misconceptions; and we need to address that.”
USDA Projects Net Farm Income Down 38 Percent
USDA said Thursday that dramatically lower commodity prices and plunging exports mean that 2009 net farm income is expected to be down 38 percent from 2008 estimates and 15 percent from the 10-year average. Net farm income is forecast to be $54 billion in 2009, down $33.2 billion from the preliminary estimate of $87.2 billion for 2008. The 2009 forecast is $9 billion below the average of $63.2 billion over the past 10 years. Net cash income, which takes into account the sale of carryover stocks from 2008, is expected to be down as well, but only by 30 percent from 2008 to $68.2 billion.
Indiana Crops Lag With Cool and Wet Conditions
Last week, much of Indiana experienced scattered rain showers and cooler than normal temperatures, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Northwestern and north central areas received the heaviest amounts of precipitation with some areas receiving over 3 inches of rain. Some central and eastern counties are still in need of rain while a few northern counties have sustained crop damage from the recent excess moisture. Reporters indicated that diseases in the soybean crop are becoming more evident as the season progresses. There is a growing concern that the corn and soybeans will not reach full maturity before the first frost.
FSA Begins Accepting Applications for New Biomass Crop Assistance Program
Julia A. Wickard, state executive director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Indiana announced that biomass conversion facilities can begin signing up to participate in the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, which will help increase production of renewable energy. The program, authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to producers who deliver eligible material to biomass conversion facilities and FSA will provide financial assistance to collect, harvest, store and transport eligible materials. “This program will benefit producers, the developing biomass industry, the general public and the environment as we continue working to expand production and availability of renewable energy,” said Wickard. “Owners of eligible material can receive financial assistance for delivering qualified biomass to conversion facilities that use biomass for heat, power, bio-based products or advanced biofuels.”
