Delaware County Ag News
Purdue Extension, Delaware County
November 2012

Michael O’Donnell, Extension Educator, ANR
modonnel@purdue.edu  
(765) 747-7732
 

Did You Receive This Newsletter in the Mail?

If so, we’d really prefer to send you newsletters by email.  We’ve moved the newsletter to an HTML format on our website, which is best viewed through an internet browser.  You’ll also receive timely emails on current ag issues and programs that we may not send out by standard mail.  In addition, it reduces our postage, paper, and envelope expenses. 

Send your email address to modonnel@purdue.edu and ask to have it added to your record on our database.

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Farming for Soil Health

You’ve probably heard about the Soil Health initiative being pushed by NRCS in recent years.  You may have heard about it from your local SWCD office.  If you haven’t caught wind of it yet, get ready.  Purdue Extension will be covering this crucial topic at PARP events, field days, and other agronomy-related programs in 2013 and beyond.  The NRCS has a great primer on soil health, Farming in the 21st Century—A Practical Approach to Improve Soil Health

http://www.co.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/soil/SoilQuality/Soil%20Health.pdf

The following excerpt from Farming in the 21st Century summarizes a major challenge we all face in getting on board with Soil Health:

"Managing for Soil Health must begin by changing the way you think about Soil.”

It sounds simple enough, but once you change the way you think about soil, you are confronted with the challenge of changing how you manage the soil resource, and, ultimately, how you farm.  Want to learn more about soil health?  To get started, browse through the following:

NRCS soil health website – Unlock the Secrets in the Soil
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/soils/health/

“Under Cover Farmers…” Cover Crop Video from NRCS ENTC
http://youtu.be/nWXCLVCJWTU

No-Till Case Study, Brown’s Ranch: Improving Soil Health Improves the Bottom Line
https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/download.php?id=414

Building Soils for Better Crops -  SARE book on Sustainable Soil Management
http://www.sare.org/publications/soils.htm

The Soil Biology Primer
http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/biology.html

Food Hub in Central Indiana

Purdue Extension is working to develop a food hub for Central Indiana farmers and consumers.  Food hubs provide marketing, distribution, and processing infrastructure to support local and regional food economies.  The USDA describes food hubs as follows:

Many farmers and ranchers, especially smaller operations, are challenged by the lack of distribution and processing infrastructure of appropriate scale that would give them wider access to retail, institutional, and commercial foodservice markets, where demand for local and regional foods continues to rise. Food hubs can help. By offering a combination of production, aggregation, distribution, and marketing services, food hubs make it possible for producers to gain entry into new and additional markets that would be difficult or impossible to access on their own.  The USDA is committed to food hubs because we believe that food hubs offer strong and sound infrastructure support to producers across the country which will also help build a stronger regional food system.

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/foodhubs

The effort in Central Indiana is being led by Roy Ballard, Extension Educator, ANR, Hancock County.  A committee of extension educators, farmers, consumers, and state officials are working to move the food hub from concept to business plan to reality for the 2013 growing season. 

A food hub farmer "call-out" meeting will be held at the Hancock County Public Library, 900 West McKenzie Road, Greenfield, on Thursday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m.  Check out the following news release for more details about the "call-out" meeting:  http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=56783 

Even if you are skeptical of the food hub idea, we highly encourage you to attend the meeting on the 13th.  We need honest and open feedback from farmers and consumers alike.  If you're interested in carpooling to the meeting from Delaware County, contact Michael O'Donnell at the Extension office.

Purdue publication answers questions about 'raw' milk

As consumer demand for locally grown and organic foods increases, so, too, does the interest in unpasteurized - or "raw" - milk. But is milk that comes straight from a cow safe to drink? A new Purdue Extension publication helps separate fact from fiction.

Raw Milk FAQs, Extension publication AS-612-W, is available for free download at https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/item.asp?itemID=20853#.ULO69Y7_QyE. The seven-page publication was written by Mike Schutz, Purdue Extension dairy specialist, and Mike Ferree, a Purdue Extension educator from Bartholomew County.

U.S. Drought Monitor - Indiana

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows that Delaware County is no longer experiencing drought conditions:  http://www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_state.htm?IN,MW

 

Private Applicator Recertification Program
 
Delaware County Extension will hold a PARP event at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 16, at the Delaware County Farm Bureau Building, 6100 SR 67, Muncie.  The program will focus on the new Use Rules of the Indiana Fertilizer Applicator Regulations that go into effect on February 16, 2013: 
http://www.isco.purdue.edu/fertilizer/fert_pdf/fert_use_info_sheet_07-12-12.pdf

We’ll have Bill Johnson, Purdue Extension Weed Specialist, covering the latest in weed science to help you plan weed control strategies for the 2013 season.  Reservations are requested to Purdue Extension, Delaware County, (765) 747-7732 or modonnel@purdue.edu by January 15.  CCH's for commercial applicators will be requested.

Madison County is hosting two upcoming programs for private (and commercial) applicators.  Details are found in the listing of Upcoming Events below. 

All approved PARP events are posted to the following calendar:  http://btny2.agriculture.purdue.edu/parpevents
Applicators can also call 800-319-3090 and listen to a recorded message of upcoming programs. 

Visit http://www.ppp.purdue.edu/PARP/ for more information about the Private Applicator Recertification Program.

Interested in On-Farm Research?
 
Partner with Purdue Extension, Delaware County, to support Purdue Ag research and move ag productivity, profitability, and sustainability forward in Indiana.  We can work with existing on-farm research protocols, or propose our own research projects. 



Contact Michael O’Donnell at (765) 747-7732 or modonnel@purdue.edu for more information and to discuss on-farm research possibilities.  Visit the Purdue Collaborative On-Farm Research website, http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/ofr/ for more information.

ISDA: Drought Prompts Reminders for Irrigation Rules

Following the Drought of 2012, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding farmers and Ag industry partners about informational resources available related to irrigation.  There are a number of codes and concepts to keep in mind when considering the installation of water distribution/irrigation systems.

Proper Registration http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title14/ar25/ch7.html  

Water Rights http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title14/ar25/ch4.html 

License Requirements http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title25/ar39/index.html  

These statutes and codes, and a list of Indiana licensed water well drillers and pump installers, registered withdrawal facilities and water use data are available at http://www.in.gov/dnr/water/ 

Full news release

Farmland Lease Law

An Indiana Appeals Court holding earlier this year stated that a notice to terminate a farmland lease must be in writing.  Details are provided in the following two-pager from Gerald Harrison, Purdue Extension Economist.  Also, take note of the suggestion to use written term leases—oral contracts in farmland leasing can pose significant risk.

http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/extension/pubs/Farmland_values_files/Indiana_Farm_Land_Lease_key_items.pdf

For more information on Indiana Farmland Lease law, checkout the following publication:
http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/EC/EC-713.pdf

Indiana granted approval to blend corn with aflatoxin by FDA

FDA has granted approval, in response to a request from ISDA, to blend corn with aflatoxin in Indiana.  This approval is consistent with those granted in Iowa and Nebraska. The link below provides more information and conditions associated with the approval.  Although the Purdue Extension office has not received reports of corn with aflatoxin in Delaware County, you should be aware of this drought relief measure.
http://www.in.gov/isda/files/Waiver_Notification_FINAL.pdf

Soybean Vein Necrosis Confirmed in Indiana

A soybean sample exhibiting symptoms suggestive of a new disease caused by soybean vein necrosis virus was submitted to the PPDL from Jennings county for diagnosis earlier this month. The sample was sent to Agdia, Inc. for virus testing and molecular test results confirmed the presence of a tospovirus. Additional testing with DNA sequencing confirmed the tospovirus as the newly described Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus (SVNV). Reports of soybeans exhibiting SVNV-like symptoms have been received from counties including Sullivan, Posey, Vigo, Knox, Gibson, White, Benton, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, and Decatur.

At this point in time we do not recommend that growers change soybean production practices in response to detection of SVNV. For now, we will continue to keep an eye on this disease, and assess its potential impact before making future management recommendations. We are interested in the distribution of SVNV in Indiana and thus would like to encourage you to inspect any still-green soybean plants (next season!) for possible symptoms of SVNV and send images of leaves with suspect SVNV along with field location to Kiersten Wise at kawise@purdue.edu

Read the full What’s Hot at the P&PDL article and see photos of soybean samples with SVNV at:  http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/PPDL/hot12/8-27.html

2,4-D- and Dicamba-tolerant Crops—Some Facts to Consider (ID-453-W)

This publication shares the perspective of some Purdue University scientists on the subject of managing weeds in crops, explains why 2,4-D and dicamba-tolerant crops were developed, and discusses some of the concerns surrounding the short- and long-term effects of this technology.
http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ID/ID-453-W.pdf

2013 Purdue Crop Cost & Return Guide – November 2012 Estimates (ID-166)

The fall edition of ID-166 rev, 2013 Purdue Crop Cost and Return Guide, is now available on the Ag Economics Department’s Extension publications webpage.  The guide covers estimated costs and returns of producing corn, soybeans, and wheat in Indiana, based on crop prices and input costs available at the beginning of the year.
http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/extension/pubs/id166_2013%20_novembe.pdf

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Upcoming Events


Crop Production Clinic (PARP)

December 11, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Madison County 4-H Fairgrounds, Alexandria, IN
Register by calling (765) 641-9514 or orick@purdue.edu

3 CCH’s for Commercial Applicators (1, RT, and 11)
2 CCH's for Commercial Applicators (14)
CEU’s for Certified Crop Advisors requested
Private Applicator Recertification Approved
http://btny2.agriculture.purdue.edu/parpevents/

Food Hub Farmer Meeting

This meeting will offer Central Indiana farmers an opportunity to learn about the market possibilities of a Food Hub that will begin operation in the 2013 growing season.

December 13, 7:00 p.m.
Hancock County Public Library, Greenfield, IN
Contact Roy Ballard at (317) 462-1113 or rballard@purdue.edu to preregister.

IBCA Annual Area Beef Meetings – Area 7

December 11, 6:30 p.m.
Kuhlman Center, Wayne County Fairgrounds, Richmond, IN
Register by December 5 by calling 765-932-9281
http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2012/Q4/area-beef-meetings-feature-drought-recovery,-regulatory-updates.html

Winter Irrigation Workshop

Speakers from Purdue Extension, Michigan State Extension and Indiana and Michigan government agencies will focus their presentations on drought, water rights, crop yields and more

December 14, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery, 105 E. Middlebury St., Shipshewan
Advance registration required, but $30 fee is payable at the door.
More information and a registration form are available at http://tinyurl.com/cybudsu

Delaware County PARP

Fertilizer Application Regulations (Use Rules) & Weed Control Update
January 16, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Delaware County Farm Bureau Building, 6100 SR 67, Muncie
Register by calling (765) 747-7732 or modonnel@purdue.edu  by January 15

Private Applicator Recertification Approved
CCH's to be requested
http://btny2.agriculture.purdue.edu/parpevents/

Beef Management Seminar

Cattle Handling Practices & Facilities
Keynote Speaker – Dr. Temple Grandin, Colorado State University

January 19, 8 :00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Lawrence County 4-H Fairgrounds, Bedford, IN
Early-bird registration before January 8 will be $40 per person
Contact Dave Redman at (812) 275-4623 for more information.
http://www3.ag.purdue.edu/counties/lawrence/Documents/Beef%20Management%20Program%202013.pdf

Crop Management Workshop (PARP)

January 29, 2013, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Madison County 4-H Fairgrounds, Alexandria, IN
To registration, visit:  https://www.eventreg.purdue.edu/ec2k/CourseListing.asp?master_id=2311&course_area=1158&course_number=260&course_subtitle=00

Credits for commercial pesticide applicators (Category 1), Certified Crop Advisors, and private applicators (PARP)

Farmers Market Boot Camp

Do you sell your farm and value-added food products at farmers markets?  This four-part webinar series covers:

Thursday, January 31 - Food Safety? Why we care
Thursday, February 7 - Farmers sow seeds of Social Media
Thursday, February 14 - Create an experience that keeps your customer coming back
Wednesday, February 20 - The ABC’s of EBT’s – Buying local made easy for everyone

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Minnestrista Cultural Center, Muncie, IN 
$15 per session, lunch included
Contact Michael O’Donnell at (765) 747-7732 or modonnel@purdue.edu for more information and to register.

Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training

This workshop will provide information about the best practices for food safety on fruit and vegetable farms that are recommended by the FDA and required by many buyers. 

February 5, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Patterson Ballroom, Muncie, IN
Contact Michael O’Donnell at (765) 747-7732 or modonnel@purdue.edu for more information and to register. 
http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2012/Q4/workshop-series-to-cover-fruit,-vegetable-food-safety.html

Visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/gapghp for information about the USDA GAPs program.

Farming into the Next Generation

Every family that is working on succession planning while continuing to farm together will find this program helpful. It is even more impactful when at least two generations from the same family attend the workshop together. Farm business leaders interested in improving their communication skills, as well as their management of family employees, will also find this workshop valuable.

February 12-13, 2013
Purdue University, West Lafayette
Find out more and register today at www.agecon.purdue.edu/commercialag/progevents/farmingnextgen.html

Indiana Small Farm Conference

The Indiana Small Farm Conference will provide small farmers with opportunities to learn and interact with other farmers, producers, extension educators, researchers, and students. There will be sessions about crop production, hoop houses, livestock production, processing and marketing produce and foods, energy, and small farm management. For details or to register:  www.ag.purdue.edu/smallfarms • (888) EXT-INFO

March 1-2, 2013
Hendricks County Fairgrounds, Danville, IN

Succession Planning Program

Cultivating strong Indiana farm family relationships for today and tomorrow.  This two-session program will be hosted at 10 locations throughout the state during the months of January-March.  The nearest location will be hosted by Blackford and Jay Counties on March 4 and 11 from 10:00 am – 2:30 p.m.  Please contact Stacy Clupper at 765-348-3213 for more information.

Details will be available soon at www.agriculture.purdue.edu/wia including a list of all host sites and program dates.  Cost is $50/individual or $100/family (up to 4 members).

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Suggestions?

Do you have suggestions for Agriculture and Natural Resources programming here in Delaware County?  Please contact Michael O’Donnell at (765) 747-7732 or modonnel@purdue.edu