Friday, January 4, 2013
Clinton County Winter Ag Newsletter
For those of you who aren't on our mailing list, I recently finished an Ag Extension Newsletter which is available online. This PDF is the same as the one mailed out minus the Irrigation Program Flyer.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Ag Outlook Breakfast & Pesticide Applicator Training
This will be along the lines of a "save the date" post however I want to mention that we've scheduled the Ag Outlook Breakfast for Friday, March 1, 7:30 a.m. at the Clinton County Fairgrounds 4-H Building in Frankfort. Purdue Ag Economist Chris Hurt will be on hand to provide his Outlook for 2013. The program is free and designed to help farmers, land owners, input suppliers, and those interested in agriculture make better business decisions in the coming year.
The breakfast and program are sponsored by The Farmers Bank and Regions Bank. Now there's a lot of time between now and the program but because we are serving a meal and need to know attendance numbers, pre-registration for the program is required. Please either call the office at 765-659-6380 or 765-296-3511 or e-mail me at cemanuel@purdue.edu if you are planning to attend. The registration deadline is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26. And don't worry, I'll have additional information as we get closer.
Later that same morning, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. we'll have a Private Applicator Recertification Program(PARP), also at the Fairgrounds. Christian Krupke from Purdue Entomology will present an Insect Control Update and Bill Johnson from Purdue Botany and Plant Pathology will provide a Weed Control Update. The regulatory topic will be on Indiana’s New Fertilizer Rule. The cost for this program will be $10. All Clinton County Private Applicators will be mailed additional information as we get closer. I also intend to request CCH's for commercial applicators.
The breakfast and program are sponsored by The Farmers Bank and Regions Bank. Now there's a lot of time between now and the program but because we are serving a meal and need to know attendance numbers, pre-registration for the program is required. Please either call the office at 765-659-6380 or 765-296-3511 or e-mail me at cemanuel@purdue.edu if you are planning to attend. The registration deadline is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26. And don't worry, I'll have additional information as we get closer.
Later that same morning, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. we'll have a Private Applicator Recertification Program(PARP), also at the Fairgrounds. Christian Krupke from Purdue Entomology will present an Insect Control Update and Bill Johnson from Purdue Botany and Plant Pathology will provide a Weed Control Update. The regulatory topic will be on Indiana’s New Fertilizer Rule. The cost for this program will be $10. All Clinton County Private Applicators will be mailed additional information as we get closer. I also intend to request CCH's for commercial applicators.
Central Indiana Pork Conference
The Seventh Annual Central Indiana Pork Conference (CIPC) will be held on Wednesday, February 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m at Rossville High School. The cost of the program will be $20 per person and will include lunch.
There will be a variety of topics covered including state and federal legislative and regulatory changes, including the new fertilizer rule. This has been a highly successful, well attended program in past years. I have a web page for this program with additional information, including a flyer and registration form.
There will be a variety of topics covered including state and federal legislative and regulatory changes, including the new fertilizer rule. This has been a highly successful, well attended program in past years. I have a web page for this program with additional information, including a flyer and registration form.
Upcoming Irrigation Workshop
I apologize for not posting lately. With my covering 4-H in Clinton County it seems like this blog has been the main casualty of these extra duties. However I have several activities which I want to mention.
I've set up an Irrigation Workshop on Tuesday, January 22 at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds in Lafayette. This will be an all-day program primarily featuring Lyndon Kelley, Extension Irrigation Specialist. We will be covering a variety of topics that day and I encourage you to attend if you’ve given any thought to installing irrigation on your operation.
Lyndon has done a lot of irrigation work in Northern Indiana and I've been told he puts on an excellent program. Click this link for the program flyer and registration information.
I've set up an Irrigation Workshop on Tuesday, January 22 at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds in Lafayette. This will be an all-day program primarily featuring Lyndon Kelley, Extension Irrigation Specialist. We will be covering a variety of topics that day and I encourage you to attend if you’ve given any thought to installing irrigation on your operation.
Lyndon has done a lot of irrigation work in Northern Indiana and I've been told he puts on an excellent program. Click this link for the program flyer and registration information.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Grain Quality Issues in Corn
As I'm sure you're aware, 2012 is shaping up as another year where we may encounter grain quality issues with corn. This is always a risk with severe drought stress, particularly if that stress took place during pollination. While Clinton County isn't in as bad shape as many other places, with the recent wetter weather just as harvest is starting up, I'm sure we'll run into it. Every grain buyer in the area, so far as I know, is testing for Aflatoxin, an indication that they've found it in some loads.
Purdue has a web page on this topic with a great deal of information: Managing Moldy Corn
Here are a few of the key concepts as you go into harvest. Keep in mind most of these these (there are a couple of exceptions) won't help with Aflatoxin already present; they help get rid of the Aspergillus fungus which produces Aflatoxin.
One key is minimizing damaged kernels. This corn crop is drying down fast as it's maturing at such an early date. If you think you're at risk for Aflatoxin, make sure you get in the field early enough to keep from having too many damaged kernels and keep fines down to a minimum.
Dry corn a bit more than usual if you plan to store it. If you usually store at 15.5%, think about storing at 14 or 14.5. Also, cool your grain as quickly as possible (an obvious problem in mid-September) without creating moisture issues from condensation. Aspergillus growth is greatly reduced at temperatures below 55 degrees.
Broken kernels and fines generally contain promote fungal activity. If possible, screen your grain before putting it in the bin (or, if you think there's an issue, before taking grain to the elevator). If you can't do this, "core" your bin once it's in storage.
Aflatoxin can cause Human health issues so be careful about breathing in dust. Consider wearing a mask or respirator and change your clothes after handling grain.
USDA's Risk Management Agency has put together a list of Eastern Corn Belt labs which will test for Aflatoxin. You can find that in this publication. Purdue's Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab will also test for it. I don't know why, but they aren't on the list of certified labs in the USDA publication so check with your insurance agent if you're testing for insurance purposes.
If you think you have Aflatoxin, contact your crop insurance agent before you harvest.
Purdue has a web page on this topic with a great deal of information: Managing Moldy Corn
Here are a few of the key concepts as you go into harvest. Keep in mind most of these these (there are a couple of exceptions) won't help with Aflatoxin already present; they help get rid of the Aspergillus fungus which produces Aflatoxin.
One key is minimizing damaged kernels. This corn crop is drying down fast as it's maturing at such an early date. If you think you're at risk for Aflatoxin, make sure you get in the field early enough to keep from having too many damaged kernels and keep fines down to a minimum.
Dry corn a bit more than usual if you plan to store it. If you usually store at 15.5%, think about storing at 14 or 14.5. Also, cool your grain as quickly as possible (an obvious problem in mid-September) without creating moisture issues from condensation. Aspergillus growth is greatly reduced at temperatures below 55 degrees.
Broken kernels and fines generally contain promote fungal activity. If possible, screen your grain before putting it in the bin (or, if you think there's an issue, before taking grain to the elevator). If you can't do this, "core" your bin once it's in storage.
Aflatoxin can cause Human health issues so be careful about breathing in dust. Consider wearing a mask or respirator and change your clothes after handling grain.
USDA's Risk Management Agency has put together a list of Eastern Corn Belt labs which will test for Aflatoxin. You can find that in this publication. Purdue's Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab will also test for it. I don't know why, but they aren't on the list of certified labs in the USDA publication so check with your insurance agent if you're testing for insurance purposes.
If you think you have Aflatoxin, contact your crop insurance agent before you harvest.
Friday, August 10, 2012
August 29 Pesticide Applicator Training
The Clinton County Extension Service will be hosting a Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Program (PARP) on Wednesday, August 29 from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Clinton County Fairgrounds, 1701 South Jackson Street in Frankfort. In addition, CCH's have been approved for Commercial Applicators.
Fred Whitford from Purdue Pesticide Programs will be giving two presentations, “Make Liquids and Dry Products Measure Up” and “Watch for Setbacks for Fertilizers.”
This program will directly follow the Farmland Rental Program that morning. The cost for the Pesticide program will be $10 for Private Applicators. There is no cost for Commercial Applicators. You should remember to bring your license with you for registration purposes.
As we're not feeding you, I don't need pre-registration if you're attending just the Pesticide program that afternoon (I do need you to register for the morning program if you're attending it). If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office at 765-659-6380 or 296-3511. You may also e-mail me.
Fred Whitford from Purdue Pesticide Programs will be giving two presentations, “Make Liquids and Dry Products Measure Up” and “Watch for Setbacks for Fertilizers.”
This program will directly follow the Farmland Rental Program that morning. The cost for the Pesticide program will be $10 for Private Applicators. There is no cost for Commercial Applicators. You should remember to bring your license with you for registration purposes.
As we're not feeding you, I don't need pre-registration if you're attending just the Pesticide program that afternoon (I do need you to register for the morning program if you're attending it). If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office at 765-659-6380 or 296-3511. You may also e-mail me.
August 29 Farmland Rental Program
The Clinton County Extension Service will be hosting a Farmland Rental Program on Wednesday, August 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Clinton County Fairgrounds, 1701 South Jackson Street in Frankfort.
Purdue Ag Economist Craig Dobbins will be on hand to discuss the recently released 2012 Indiana Land Values and Cash Rent Survey Results. He will consider the results of this survey, implications for rental rates in 2013 and discuss various aspects of rents such as negotiating contracts and flexible cash rents.
This looks to be a very good, useful program, particularly considering how this abnormal crop year may influence land decisions, particularly rental contracts.
A lunch, sponsored by The Farmers Bank, will be provided. Pre-registration is required if you intend to eat with us. Please register by August 22 by calling the Clinton County Extension Office at 765-659-6380 or 296-3511 or you may e-mail me at cemanuel@purdue.edu. If you don't pre-register you may still attend but lunch is not guaranteed.
For additional information and a registration form you may download the program flyer from the link below:
Farmland Rental Program Flyer.
Purdue Ag Economist Craig Dobbins will be on hand to discuss the recently released 2012 Indiana Land Values and Cash Rent Survey Results. He will consider the results of this survey, implications for rental rates in 2013 and discuss various aspects of rents such as negotiating contracts and flexible cash rents.
This looks to be a very good, useful program, particularly considering how this abnormal crop year may influence land decisions, particularly rental contracts.
A lunch, sponsored by The Farmers Bank, will be provided. Pre-registration is required if you intend to eat with us. Please register by August 22 by calling the Clinton County Extension Office at 765-659-6380 or 296-3511 or you may e-mail me at cemanuel@purdue.edu. If you don't pre-register you may still attend but lunch is not guaranteed.
For additional information and a registration form you may download the program flyer from the link below:
Farmland Rental Program Flyer.
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