Dairy Futures: Robotics Pages 4, 5
INFB at the Indiana State Fair Page 3
A Publication for Voting Members of Indiana Farm Bureau
INSIDE: News in Brief................ 2 Around INFB................ 3 Communication............ 6 Rules & Regulations...... 7 Around Indiana............ 8
JULY 11, 2016 Issue No. 82
August recess gives voters extra opportunities to reach out to Congress Congress’ August recess is an important opportunity for Farm Bureau, said Kyle Cline, INFB national government relations policy advisor. Although talking to your congressman or congresswoman while Congress is in session is an important way to communicate about issues that are important to you, to Farm Bureau and to agriculture, Cline noted that talking to members while they’re back home in their districts is just as important. “The congressional August recess period is a great opportunity for constituents to visit with their members and remind them of our priority issues and needs in agriculture,” Cline said. “It is also the perfect time to build relationships with members of congress that may pay off in the future and make the difference on how they vote on
a key piece of legislation.” Indiana Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation is asking members to focus on three primary issues when talking to lawmakers and their staff during the recess: Trade, particularly the Trans-Pacific Partnership (or TPP) agreement. Tax reform, including the tax reform “blueprint” recently introduced by House Republicans. Regulatory reform, including more congressional oversight of agencies and reductions in regulatory actions that exceed intent and authority of federal law. “All three issues will be priorities during recess that members should talk about. But TPP is our highest priority right now,” Cline said. “That’s because Farm Bureau is hoping for a vote on the agreement during the lameduck session that happens right after the election.” Although the break that
INFB sponsoring LG debate at the State Fair —By Jay A. Wood Public Relations Team Indiana Farm Bureau members are always encouraged to be civically active and politically engaged by meeting with public officials and staying informed on the issues. This year, members have an unusual opportunity: watching candidates for Indiana lieutenant governor debate at the Indiana State Fair. Indiana Farm Bureau P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206
The debate will be hosted by AgrIInstitute and moderated by Inside Indiana Business’ Gerry Dick. Indiana Farm Bureau is one of the debate sponsors. Indiana’s lieutenant governor serves as secretary of agriculture and president of the Senate. The LG also oversees: • The Office of Community & Rural Affairs. • The Office of Small Business & Entrepreneurship. Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID
Berne, IN Permit NO. 43
Congress takes this time of year is always referred to as the “August recess,” this year’s recess actually begins July 16 due to party conventions and also to give members of Congress some opportunities to campaign
during this election year. This will give constituents some extra opportunities to meet with their senators and representatives face to face that are normally not available in non-election years, Cline noted.
A more comprehensive guide to Farm Bureau’s priority issues for the 2016 August recess will be inserted in the Aug. 1 issue of The Hoosier Farmer. Additional information will also be available on the INFB website.
The Fair Train, courtesy of the Indiana State Fair.
—By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team
This year’s Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers summer social will be held Aug. 13 at Forest Park in Noblesville from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will be full fun with horseshoe and corn-hole tournaments, mini golf, carousel rides, playgrounds and volleyball courts available. A free lunch buffet starts at noon, and there will also be prize drawings and state fair tickets for those attending. In addition, there will be a limited number of roundtrip tickets for the Fair Train, which provides an unforgettable journey from Noblesville to the Indiana State Fairgrounds on a piece of Hoosier transportation history. Registration for the event opened July 1 at www.infb.org/summersocial. You must register to attend and receive Indiana State Fair tickets. Call 317-692-7846 or email odt@infb.org for more.
• The Office of Tourism Development. • The Office of Energy & Defense Development. • The Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority. Confirmed participants are incumbent Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb and state Rep. Christina Hale. An invitation has also been sent to Karl Tatgenhorst, the Libertarian nominee. Holcomb, the Republican nominee, is a graduate of Hanover College and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Prior to becoming lieutenant governor, he worked for U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, former U.S. Rep. John Hostettler and
former Gov. Mitch Daniels. Under Daniels, Holcomb served as deputy chief of staff and managed the 2008 re-election campaign. He also served as chairman of the Indiana Republican Party from 2011-2013. Hale, the Democrat nominee, is a graduate of Purdue University and a former executive of Kiwanis International. Elected to the Indiana House in 2012, she represents House District 87, which covers a large portion of Washington Township on Indianapolis’ northside. Hale
serves on committees that oversee insurance; utilities, energy and telecommunications; and commerce, small business and economic development. As the state’s premier general farm organization, Indiana Farm Bureau has significant interaction with the lieutenant governor in the areas of agriculture and rural affairs. Members are strongly encouraged to attend the debate to learn more about the candidates for this important office.
WHEN: August 9, 2016, at 2 p.m. WHERE: Farm Bureau Building Cafeteria, Indiana State Fairgrounds
2
NEWS IN BRIEF
News Bites —Compiled by Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team
Contributions to honor Carolyn Hegel—As was reported in the July 20 issue of The Hoosier Farmer, Carolyn Hegel, former INFB 2nd vice president, recently passed away. The family listed Indiana Farm Bureau as one of the organizations
to which people could make contributions to honor her memory. Any individual or county Farm Bureau who would like to make a contribution in Carol’s memory may do so by sending a contribution to the Farm Bureau Foundation, a 501c3 that provides funding for many of Farm Bureau youth and education programs. Hegel was instrumental in developing and growing many of Farm Bureau’s agriculture education programs,
including Agriculture in the Classroom. Any contributions received in memory of Hegel will be used to further the programs that she worked closely with during her tenure at Farm Bureau. To make a contribution in Carol’s memory please write your check to Farm Bureau Foundation and put “In Memory of Carol” on the memo line. Mail your contribution to: Indiana Farm Bureau, Attention: Elaine Rueff, P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206. Contributions made in her memory directly to Indiana Farm Bureau will also go to the foundation. However, for individuals who itemize deductions there may be some tax advantages for charitable contributions written directly to a 501c3. (INFB 6/17/16)
Farm Bureau communicators honored for excellence—
December 8-10 Grand Wayne Convention Center Fort Wayne
Awards for the top state Farm Bureau communications specialists were presented during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2016 Strategic Policy, Advocacy, Resources and Communications conference in June.
Farming workshop offered for military vets —From the Purdue Ag Communication Service Military veterans, active duty members and their families can learn more about how to start or operate a farm during a daylong program sponsored by Purdue University’s Indiana Beginning Farmer program. The Beginning Farmer Veteran Workshop is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 30 at the Beck Agricultural Center, 4540 U.S. 52 W, West Lafayette. Sessions will cover both the business and production sides of agriculture. Topics will include small fruit and vegetable production, liveAdministrative/Finance Team
President............................................Randy Kron Vice President.................................Kendell Culp Second Vice President................ Isabella Chism Chief Operating Officer/Treasurer..Mark Sigler Receptionist..........................................Kim Duke General Fund Accountant..............Tiffanie Ellis Operations & Event Manager.......Chris Fenner Executive Director of Administration............................. Megan Ritter Controller..........................................Elaine Rueff Administrative Assistant...................Jill Shanley Executive Secretary.................... Beverly Thorpe Member/Data Service Program Coordinator.................... Anna Todd Accounting Intern...................William Gabbard
District Directors Harold Parker (1) Kevin Ousley (2) Kevin Underwood (3) Steve Maple (4) Dave Wyeth (5)
July 11, 2016
Scott Trennepohl (6) Jeff Gormong (7) Mark Bacon (8) Philip Springstun (9) Robert Schickel (10)
stock management, business planning, forestry, marketing and regulatory requirements for food sales. There will also be information on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs. “We have had a tremendous response to our farmer veteran tours, and we are pleased to be able to offer this workshop to explore these topics in greater depth,” said Cindy Chastain, farmer veteran coordinator for the National AgrAbility Project based at Purdue and one of the
workshop organizers. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. Visit https://edustore.purdue.edu/, click on “Workshops” and then “Beginning Farmer Tours and Workshops” to find information and a registration link for this event. For more information about the workshop or other farmer veteran programs, contact Chastain, 765-4962377, chastai1@purdue.edu. For more information about the Indiana Beginning Farmer program, contact Kevin Gibson, 765-4962161, kgibson@purdue.edu.
Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation
State Government Relations Director................. Justin Schneider Livestock Development Specialist... Greg Slipher Associate Policy Analyst................ Shelby Swain Direct Retail Business Specialist....... Bob White Public Policy Intern................... Kathleen Jacobs
Director...............................................John Shoup
Indiana Farm Bureau Inc./ Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Director of Affiliate Relations...... Julie Klarich
Legal Affairs Team
Director & General Counsel.................... Mark Thornburg Associate Counsel for Corporate Compliance & Nonprofit Affairs............ Sara MacLaughlin Senior Legal Assistant............... Maria Spellman Law Clerk.......................................Brock Burnick
Public Policy Team
Director............................................. Katrina Hall National Government Relations Policy Advisor..................Kyle Cline Policy Advisor & Counsel............. Amy Cornell Administrative Assistant ............. Diane Helton Senior Administrative Assistant .................................... Wanda Hunter
Public Relations Team
Web Designer/Developer............. Diane Brewer Publications Managing Editor & Media Relations Specialist......Kathleen Dutro Marketing & PR Specialist................Mindy Reef Communications Assistant....... Rachel Schrage Communications Specialist, Public Policy and Advocacy............. Jay Wood PR Intern.........................................Jaclyn Leeuw
Organizational Development Team
Director..................................Mel Hollingsworth Women’s Leadership Program Coordinator............... Ashley Beasley Membership Sales & Marketing Coordinator................Chelsea Poe
Indiana Farm Bureau’s public relations team was recognized for “best public relations campaign” among the large states for the “Fix the Formula” campaign that was part of the strategy used during the 2016 General Assembly to encourage the passage of the property tax
reform bill, SEA 308. In addition, Diane Brewer, INFB web and graphic designer, received individual recognition for best graphic design for materials she designed for the Farm Bureau building at the Indiana State Fair. (AFBF 6/15/16)
Reducing chances of exposure key to managing PEDv —By Jackie Leeuw Public Relations Intern Three years ago, swine producers and swine exhibitors alike had to deal with a deadly virus that swept through herds like wildfire. Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus, or PEDv, had made its way into the United States and nobody knew how it got here. This virus was deadly to pigs, and there was no vaccine to stop it. In June 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a conditional license to Harrisvaccines Inc. of Ames, Iowa. Conditional licenses are usually issued when there is an emergency need. With this license, Harrisvaccines was able to sell directly to veterinarians or swine producers. This new vaccine was used to vaccinate sows, in the hope that they would build antibodies which would then transfer into their newborn piglets through the sows’ milk, protecting piglets from PEDv. Today, PEDv is just another disease of concern that producers are learning to live with and manage, according to Denise Derrer of BOAH. There are also discussions at a national level about whether the industry should continue research on eradicating the disease or just accept that it is here. BOAH is also no longer monitoring the number of cases as hard as it was a year ago, Derrer added, because producers Young Farmer & Youth Program Coordinator..................... Allie Rieth Program Assistant..................... Kathryn Rogers Education Coordinator..................... Julie Taylor Program Assistant............................Tracie Trent Agriculture Promotion & Outreach Intern........................Mallory Meyer
Regional Managers
Wayne Belden (1 & 3) Greg Bohlander (6) Andrew Cleveland (4 & 6) Casie Conley (4) Janice Deno (3) Jennifer Chandler Gish (9) Allison Hines (10) Amy Hutson (5) Susan Lawrence (2) John Newsom (1 & 2) Kermit Paris (8) Keegan Poe (5 & 8) Brad Ponsler (10) E.B. Rawles (7) Laura Ruhlman (7 & 9)
have learned how to prevent or manage PEDv within their herds. In terms of PEDv vaccines, these typically work only for pigs that have already been infected by PEDv rather than as a preventive measure. According to Dr. Matt Ackerman of BOAH, about 7 percent of those participating in the Minnesota Swine Health Monitoring Project are affected with PEDv. However, even though the virus is significantly less worrying than it was a few years ago, producers still need to be aware and practice safety precautions in order to keep the virus from spreading. According to BOAH, federal dollars have been shifted away from testing toward research. PEDv is still a deadly virus and swine producers need to continue to take precautions against it, BOAH said. Producers are encouraged to keep close watch on their swine and to contact a veterinarian at the first sign of PEDv. Producers are also encouraged to limit visitors into their barns and to make sure visitors wear plastic boots while on the premises. Since 2013, PEDv has become much more manageable, and there are now vaccines that can help if pigs do become infected. For more information on PEDv, contact the Indiana Board of Animal Health, 317-544-2400, animalhealth@boah.in.gov.
Address Letters & Questions To: Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1290. Phone: 1-800-327-6287 or (317) 692-7776 E-Mail Address: askus@infarmbureau.org Duplicate Magazines If you are receiving more than one copy of The Hoosier Farmer®, please cut out both labels and return them to the address above. Magazine Design and Layout Davis Graphic Design www.davisgraphics.com The Hoosier Farmer® is published 14 times per year by Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., P.O. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206, and is furnished as a service to voting members and others. Controlled circulation. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hoosier Farmer® P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1290. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
3
AROUND INFB
Farm Bureau is making big plans for the 2016 state fair —By Jackie Leeuw Public Relations Intern The 2016 Indiana State Fair will be held Aug. 5-21, and Indiana Farm Bureau is involved with plenty of activities for fairgoers. This year, activities in the Farm Bureau Building include: • Servings of free popcorn (generously donated by Preferred Popcorn of Palmyra, Indiana). • My American Farm activity zone where kids of all ages will have the opportunity to play games. • The Ag Fact Adventure, in which visitors can learn facts and answer questions about Indiana agriculture for a prize. • Prize pick-up for the Wonder Trail, which is sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau. One of the things the Farm Bureau Building is
known for is the free popcorn, which will be served every day of the fair. But in addition, kids of all ages will have the opportunity to play My American Farm games on six touchscreen computers. Visitors of all ages will also be able to participate in the Ag Fact Adventure where they can learn facts and answer questions about Indiana agriculture for a prize. The Wonder Trail will once again be sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau. Wonder Trail participants take a self-guided trip around the Indiana State Fair. Those who complete the Wonder Trail earn a prize provided by Indiana Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau Building will also have iPad coloring books. Kids will be able to create their own farm scene with INFB’s coloring book app, color it, personalize it
Vermillion County Young Farmers plan ‘drone day’ —By Rachel Schrage Public Relations Team Do you use a drone on your farm? Are you interested in learning more about how drones are used in agriculture? Join Vermillion County Young Farmers for a drone day on Aug. 22 at Ceres Solutions’ Crops 63 location, 1260 E. 1450 N., Perrysville, IN 47974. The event begins at 9 a.m. and will feature a presentation from Chad Colby, a regular presenter on “This Week in Agribusiness” on RFD-TV. Colby specializes in the use of drones in agriculture and will discuss the rules and regulations associated with their use in the field. The day will also include a drone flight demonstration in the fields. “This event is a great opportunity for people to learn
more about drones, their uses and the regulations associated with them,” said Carter Morgan, Vermillion County Young Farmer chair. “We feel it is important that Farm Bureau is a leader in agriculture technology and can help farmers with the use of that technology as it applies to our business.” The day will end with a catered lunch from The Beef House. There is no charge for the event and anyone is welcome to attend. No RSVP is necessary. For more information on Chad Colby, visit www.colbyagtech.com.
Visitors to the Farm Bureau building at the Indiana State Fair will be able to choose from a variety of activities, including free popcorn and activities for kids including the My American Farm activity zone. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro
and email it to themselves for a reminder of their time at the fair. During Aug. 16-18, the building will be the site of the annual Taste from Indiana Farms event. This event offers fairgoers an opportunity to sample food items or commodities that are produced by Indiana farmers. It also provides INFB members the opportunity to interact with Hoosier consumers and dispel common myths about food and agriculture production. Finally, Indiana Farm
Bureau Insurance will offer plenty of games and prizes for visitors. INFB will also sponsor the annual Old Fashioned Pancake Breakfast, to be held near the entrance to the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand on Farmer’s Day, Aug. 17. The event benefits the Indiana FFA Foundation. Volunteers are needed for the Farm Bureau Building. Indiana Farm Bureau is asking for about 30 volunteers to work shifts throughout the fair. The volunteers will
receive an Indiana Farm Bureau shirt, a meal ticket and an entry ticket. Most volunteers will work a threehour shift where they will be asked to help fairgoers with the scavenger hunt, direct people to different activities in the building and talk about Farm Bureau. The state fair will have an app for visitors to use. Follow Indiana Farm Bureau on Facebook and Twitter (@ infarmbureau) for links and updates for when the app is ready to launch.
Strategic plan meetings: Eight down, 12 to go —By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team Great thoughts are pouring in from members during INFB’s strategic plan process, with just over half of the meetings remaining. Steve Cash, Putnam County Farm Bureau president, attended a strategic plan meeting in Danville in
late June. “It was very encouraging. One, because Randy (INFB President Randy Kron) and the team are searching for the proper direction for Farm Bureau to go, and two, it communicated more of what the county needs are,” Cash said. Any members can attend any meeting – whichever
one is most convenient – and no registration is required. Twelve opportunities remained as this issue of The Hoosier Farmer went to press – see the accompanying table for dates, times and locations. For more details and the questions that are asked at each meeting, visit www. infb.org/stratplan.
IFB Strategic Planning Meetings Date Aug. 2 Aug. 3 Aug. 4
Time 7 p.m. CT 7 p.m. ET 7 p.m. ET
County La Porte Kosciusko Sullivan
Location Wanatah Elementary School Crazy Egg Café County Fairgrounds
Address 309 School Drive, Wanatah, IN 46390 4217 W. Old Road 30, Warsaw, IN 46580 1301 E. County Road 75 N., Sullivan, IN 47882
Aug. 17 Aug. 22 Aug. 23 Aug. 24 Aug. 25 Aug. 29 Aug. 30 Aug. 31 Sept. 1
7 p.m. ET 7 p.m. ET 7 p.m. ET 6:30 p.m. ET 7 p.m. ET 6:30 p.m. ET 7 p.m. ET 7 p.m. ET 6:30 p.m. ET
Scott Ripley Fulton Tippecanoe Hamilton Montgomery Rush Howard Noble
Scottsburg United Methodist Church South Ripley Elementary School Fulton County Historical Society County Fairgrounds County Fairgrounds Whitesville Christian Church New Salem Lions Club County Fairgrounds - Block Building Sylvan Cellars Event Center
615 South Honeyrun Pkwy., Scottsburg, IN 47170 1568 S. Benham Road, Versailles, IN 47042 37 E 375 N Rochester, IN 46975 1010 Teal Road, Lafayette, IN 47905 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville, IN 46060 3603 S. Ladoga Road, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 4324 US 52, Rushville, IN 46173 610 E. Payton Street, Greentown, IN 46936 2725 E. Northport Road, Rome City, IN 46784 For more information, visit www.infb.org
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
July 11, 2016
4
AROUND THE FARM
Dairy F Robots allow Whitley County farmers to increase production and management while saving on labor — By Jackie Leeuw Public Relations Intern As technology evolves, so does modern agriculture. Robotic dairy farms are becoming more prevalent and are helping farmers cut back on labor costs as well as see their cattle in a different way. The Studebaker family of South Whitley, Indiana, has been milking Holsteins since the late 1940s. Prior to making the change to robots, the family had grown the operation to roughly 80-90 cows that they milked in six stalls. These days, however, they are using four robots to milk around 220 cows 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In December 2013, Randy Studebaker and his family built a barn that included waterbeds for their cows and four robotic milkers. The robots make it possible for the cows to be milked up to six times a day, or pretty much whenever the cows feel they need to be milked. Each time a cow steps into the milk stall, she is fed energy pellets, which are a good snack for the cows and also help them produce milk. The limit per cow is six times through the milk stall in one day, however. If a cow enters the milk stall after she’s reached that limit, the machine will recognize her and let her out without milking her
again. The robots also give dairy farmers flexibility. “If we have a wedding reception or something going on, it’s okay that we are an hour or two late (for milking),” said Brandy Allender, Randy’s daughter. The family still walks through the herd morning
details about her rumination, and if she is coming into heat. The software can also tell the farmer if a cow has onset stages of mastitis. This system has decreased the Studebakers’ labor costs while at the same time allowing them to milk three times as many cows with the same amount of labor that
The milk from each cow is gathered into this container. The milk flows straight into the container and then is put into a large milk bin to await pick up.
Cows are able to essentially milk themselves with the robotic milk machines. This cow has had the milkers automatically attached to her and it will begin the milking process for her.
July 11, 2016
and night checking for illness or any other signs of discomfort. All cows are identified by number and wear a collar to which is attached a device that connects to the system’s software. The software tells the farmer how active a cow has been that day, how many pounds of milk she has produced,
Since the Studebakers started using robotic milkers, they have noticed their cows becoming calmer. This cow was willing to share its food and be up close and personal.
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
5
AROUND THE FARM
Futures they had available before they purchased the robotic milkers. As for changes in the herd, Allender commented that the cows seem to be a lot calmer since the purchase of the new milkers. They have also seen a jump in milk production since they introduced the robots. While robots have greatly changed the way things work on dairy farms, the members of the Studebaker family still work just as hard as they did before the robots were purchased, Allender said.
Photos by Jackie Leeuw The family is still up early to walk through the cows to check for illnesses and feed status and to clean manure pits, and they are still with the cows at night to go through the same routine. The technology lets them make sure that their cows have the best possible care. The Studebakers are located in rural Whitley County and welcome visitors to learn more about their robotic dairy farm. You can find them on Facebook @studebaker dairyfarm.
Peyton Allender (left) offers a handful of feed her mother, Brandy.
Members of the Studebaker family of South Whitley, Indiana operate their dairy with robots. The family milks about 220 cows.
Peyton will be the fourth generation on the Studebaker Farm and is not shy around the large bovines.
Number of robotic dairies on the rise in Indiana and elsewhere —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team When The Hoosier Farmer magazine ran an article on robotic dairies back in 2006, there was only one fully robotic dairy in the state: Jones Robotic Dairy in Star City, Indiana, which is operated by Sammy and Pam Jones and their family. Robotic dairies still make up only a tiny percentage of Indiana’s 1,200 dairies, but their numbers are growing in more ways than one. As of September 2015, the number of robotic dairies had increased to 14 with a combined total of 43 robotic milkers – and as of April 2016, it was up to 16 dairies with a combined total of at least 78 robotic milkers. Even more striking is the increase in the total number of pounds shipped per day, which shot up from 185,250 in September 2015 to 498,150 in April 2016, according to the Indiana dairy census. And more are on the way, Douglas H. Metcalf, director of the Indiana Board of Animal Health’s dairy division, said in his April report to the BOAH. An additional five robotic
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
dairies are pending, he added. Robotic milkers aren’t new. They first showed up in Europe, with intensive development efforts occurring during in the 1980s in the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Denmark, according to “A Primer on Robotic Milking Systems,” by Robert E. Graves, Penn State professor of agricultural and biological engineering. The first dairy robot began operating in North America in 1999 in Canada, Graves notes. The Joneses began operating Indiana’s first robotic dairy in Fulton County in 2003. There are multiple reasons for the growth in robotic dairies in Indiana and elsewhere, but many of these reasons have to do with figuring out the best way to care for the cows. Robots not only offer consistent care, but they also allow dairy farmers to increase their average number of milkings without increasing the payroll or the stress on the dairy farmer. They aren’t cheap, averaging around $200,000 per unit, according to Iowa State University. But then, neither are conventional milking machines nor the humans needed to
Jones Dairy Farm and the family that runs it were featured on WTIU Public Television’s Weekly Special in an episode called “Transforming Tradition.” It features three Hoosier innovators including the Joneses. You can see the entire episode here: http://video. indianapublicmedia.org/video/2365751330/. run them. And there are compensations. Robotic milkers “allow us to operate 24 hours a day,” the Jones family says in the brochure it uses to promote its dairy tours. And just as important, robotics mean that cows are milked according to the cows’ schedule, not the farmers – and also that the farmer is less tied to the milking schedule. As University of Minnesota researcher Marcia Endres wrote in her article “Robots in the dairy industry,” which summarizes the results of a field study on 30 producers who use automated milking systems (or “AMS”), farmers who were asked
why producers should consider an automated milking system gave one answer very consistently: “quality of life.” Another frequent answer was “flexibility. “Producers enjoy the time flexibility AMS offers,” Endres wrote. “They are still working with the cows, but in a different capacity and also have more time for management work. They can go to their kid’s game at 5 p.m. because they no longer have to be in the barn or the parlor at that time to milk cows.” “It’s really what the cow wants to do,” Sammy Jones said in an interview with WTIU Public Television. “It’s totally up to her.”
July 11, 2016
6
COMMUNICATION
Getting to Know You Survey on INFB communications At Indiana Farm Bureau, we want your membership experience to be exceptional. With this in mind, we’d like your feedback on some of the ways we communicate with voting members. We have many ways we communicate with you using many different vehicles. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. To participate, clip out this form and mail it to (address: Indiana Farm Bureau, Public Relations Team, P.O. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206) or take this survey online at www.infb.org/survey. Print Communications How would you rate the newspaper The Hoosier Farmer overall? Check one of the following: q Exceeding expectations. q Meeting expectations. q Almost meeting expectations. q Failing to meet expectations. What topics do you like to read about in the newspaper? Check all that apply: q State policy issues. q National policy issues. q General agriculture information. q Educational material. q Features on farms and Farm Bureau members. q Upcoming statewide events. q Upcoming district and county events. q Other (please specify):
Are there other stories or topics you’d like to see covered in The Hoosier Farmer? Please list:
Currently, The Hoosier Farmer is delivered by mail, but we’d like to know if you’d prefer other methods (e.g., email or mobile phone). Please check all that apply. If you’d like to receive it by email or text, please provide the necessary information. q Email. Email: _________________________________________ q Text. Mobile Phone: __________________________________ q Digital download from one of INFB’s websites (www.infb.org or www.thehoosierfarmer.org). q U.S. mail. Currently, The Hoosier Farmer is published 14 times per year. How satisfied are you with its frequency of publication? Please check the answer that best summarizes your feelings: q Yes, 14 issues is the right number. q No, it should be more frequent. How frequent? __________ q No, it should be less frequent. How frequent? __________ q I am not sure.
You may also take this survey online at www.infb.org/survey The Hoosier Farmer has its own website, www.thehoosierfarmer.org. How can we make the website more useful? Check all that apply: q Provide material (extra photos, articles and links) that supplements the articles in the print publication. q Provide updates to articles that originally ran in the print publication. q Provide news that is beyond the current scope of The Hoosier Farmer – for example, news about other ag organizations, coverage of farm issues that don’t directly involve Farm Bureau, extra feature stories on Farm Bureau members and their farms, additional county Farm Bureau news, and so on. q I am not sure. q I did not know The Hoosier Farmer had its own website. q Other (please specify): Do you have other ideas that will help us improve The Hoosier Farmer?
Electronic Communications Do you receive newsletters and other updates (either print or electronic) from INFB? If yes, please check all that you currently receive: q Ag in the Classroom newsletter. q Animal agriculture and/or CFO/CAFO NPDES rule implementation updates. q County Education and Outreach Coordinator newsletter. q Public Policy Dispatch. q It Pays to be a Member/Member Benefits. q Leader eNews. q Membership Chair Report. q County Board Report. q ELECT (PAC) updates. q PR coordinator updates. q Other (please list): How satisfied are you with the frequency of electronic member communications received from INFB? Are there things you’d like to receive electronically from INFB that we have not mentioned? Please list.
Website Communication – www.infb.org What is your opinion of our website and how can it be improved?
Where do you go for up-to-date agricultural information (news, stories, reports, etc.)?
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about the communications you receive from INFB?
Farm Bureau Faces Event planner Kay Keown and new event manager Chris Fenner Long-time staff member Kay Keown, familiar to many members due to her role as the organization’s event planner, has retired, and many of her duties will be assumed by another familiar face, Chris Fenner. Kay Keown After 30 years with Indiana Farm Bureau, Kay Keown retired from her position as office manager and event planner on July 1. Keown started her career with INFB in 1986, working as the secretary for the public relations team, then as assistant to the chief operating officer before assuming the position of as office manager and event planner nine years ago. In this role, she negotiated contracts for meeting facilities and hotel rooms for INFB events and served
July 11, 2016
Chris Fenner and Kay Keown pose at a staff party in honor of Keown’s retirement. Photo by Mindy Reef
as the Indiana coordinator for AFBF convention. “I hope that I have been a source of knowledge and fun for our mem-
bers,” Keown said. “I have met and worked with great people, and I’ve enjoyed each unique personality I’ve encountered.” In her retirement, Keown, who lives in Brownsburg, plans to relax, tend her garden and do some traveling. She has two children, three stepchildren, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren who will keep her busy and entertained. Chris Fenner Chris Fenner is a familiar face at Indiana Farm Bureau. He began his career with INFB 20 years ago as a regional manager in District 10, later becoming the Young Farmer coordinator and the field services director. This month, he took on a new role as the organization’s operations and event manager.
In his new role, Fenner will take on daily management of the INFB office and human resources tasks. The bulk of his time will be spent on state and national convention planning and working with staff to plan conferences and special events throughout the year. “I enjoy working with our members and helping them take advantage of learning opportunities at conventions and events all year,” Fenner said. Fenner holds bachelor’s degrees in animal agribusiness and agricultural economics from Purdue University and an MBA from Anderson University. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, beekeeping and spending time with family and friends. Fenner lives in Greenwood with his wife Tanya and 12-year-old son Sam.
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
7
RULES & REGULATIONS
Indiana transportation guide makes compliance easier for farmers —From the Purdue Ag Communication Service A new publication from Purdue Extension helps clarify the rules of the road for farmers. A Farmer’s Guide to Indiana Transportation Regulations is designed to help farmers determine what category they fit in under state and federal transportation laws, then quickly look up the regulations that apply to them. Topics include vehicle weight and dimension limits, securing loads, fuel, license
plates and permits, as well as reasons why compliance is important. The publication was written by Fred Whitford, coordinator of the Purdue Pesticide Programs, with input from farmers, consultants, police and legal advisers. Under the state’s transportation regulations, a “farmer” is defined as someone who transports only his or her own products, supplies and equipment to and from designated locations, such as a marketplace or properties that he or she owns. Farmers are classified into four cat-
egories depending on how far they typically travel when transporting their goods and whether they cross state lines. Each category has its own set of regulations. Compliance with these regulations is important from a liability standpoint as well as a safety standpoint, Whitford said, as penalties for noncompliance can be severe. The publication is available electronically and in print from Purdue’s The Education Store at https://www. edustore.purdue.edu/.
INDOT discussion meetings continue The Indiana Department of Transportation is hosting a meeting for Farm Bureau members at each of their six INDOT district offices. Two of these meetings will have already been held
by the time readers receive this issue of The Hoosier Farmer, but the remaining meetings are listed below. These meetings are a great opportunity for members to find their voice by speaking
Hall on panel for policy summit —By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team The Indiana Soybean Alliance is hosting an Indiana Ag Policy Summit at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, the practice facility for the Indianapolis Colts, on July 27. Indiana’s major party gubernatorial candidates, Governor Mike Pence and challenger John Gregg, have been invited to offer their thoughts on agricultural
policy in the state. INFB Public Policy Director Katrina Hall is also on the agenda. Hall is part of a panel discussion on issues the industry is tracking at the Statehouse. The panel will include representatives from Indiana Pork, ISA/Indiana Corn Marketing Council and the Agribusiness Council of Indiana. To learn more, visit www. indianasoybean.com/indianapolicy.
MEMBER BENEFIT
up about transportation and infrastructure needs in their community. Members are strongly encouraged to review the information and plan to attend the meeting in their area.
Transportation Meetings
Hotel Savings Program ID #8000002053 must be mentioned at time of reservation.
For reservations call: 877.670.7088
Crawfordsville District Fort Wayne District Greenfield District LaPorte District Seymour District Vincennes District
Members save up to 20% off the “Best Available Rate” at nearly 7,000 ID #8000002053 must be mentio participating hotels. ID #8000002053 must be mentioned at time of reservation.
For reservations call: 877.670.7088
For reservations ca
ADVANCED RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.*
ID # 8000002053 must be mentioned at time of reservation. For IDreservations call: 877.670.7088 #8000002053 must be mentioned at time of reservation. For reservations call: 877.670.7088
INDOT Crawfordsville District Office Wednesday, July 13 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 41 West 300 North, Crawfordsville
INDOT LaPorte District Office Tuesday, July 26 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 315 E. Boyd Blvd., LaPorte
INDOT Greenfield District Office Thursday, July 21 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 32 South Broadway, Greenfield
INDOT Vincennes District Office Thursday, July 28 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 3650 South U.S. Highway 41, Vincennes
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
ID #8000002053 must be mentioned at time of reservation.
For reservations call: 877.670.7088
ID #8000002053 must be mentioned at time of reservation.
For reservations call: 877.670.7088 July 11, 2016
8
AROUND INDIANA
Galveston teacher honored as Rural Teacher of the Year —By Jackie Leeuw Public Relations Intern
That’s the start of a great handshake. Pam Kline, a marketing associate for Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance from Steuben County, and Auna Badke, a member from Elkhart County, practice introducing themselves clearly and with a firm handshake during the third session of Indiana Farm Bureau’s leadership development program, Leaders in Action. Photo by Mindy Reef
The Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association recently announced that the 2016-2017 Rural Teacher of the Year is Brenda Bowman, a 4th grade teacher from Galveston Elementary School in Galveston, Indiana. Bowman was recently surprised by the ISRSA board and Indiana Farm Bureau at
an all-school convocation. In her nomination, Bowman, a 32-year veteran teacher, was described as “an outstanding, dedicated, energetic and dynamic teacher who jumps in with both feet for activities and projects – leading the learning for her students.” Bowman will be introduced to the membership during the 2016 ISRSA Annual meeting on Sept. 26 at the ISBA/Indiana Association
of Public School Superintendents fall conference. She will also receive a $1,000 check from Rural Teacher of the Year sponsor Indiana Farm Bureau and will represent Indiana in the national Rural Teacher of the Year competition. For pictures of the surprise announcement at Galveston Elementary School, visit the ISRSA website, indianasmallandrural.org.
aster Far me 2016 M r Congratulations to the 2016 recipients of the Master Farmer designation. The Master Farmer program is presented by the Purdue College of Agriculture and Indiana Prairie Farmer magazine.
THF2015
To make it easy for grassroots members to participate in Farm Bureau’s membership efforts, we include an application form in most issues of The Hoosier Farmer. Cut out the application form below or make copies and give them to new potential members. Remember to have them put your name in the membership volunteer box and then send it to the address printed along the bottom of the form. You can also have them visit INFB’s membership site, www.itpaystobeamember.org, to sign up online.
John and Nan Nidlinger, Adams County Dan Gwin, Montgomery County Don and Darci Zolman, Kosciusko County Tom and Karen McKinney, Tipton County Dr. Bret Marsh, Indiana State Veterinarian, Honorary Master Farmer
Membership contest for July continues, August contest announced —By Rachel Schrage Public Relations Team A contest for Indiana Farm Bureau volunteers who sign a new member in July continues until July 31. The August contest, which will have slightly different rules, opens on Aug. 1. For the July contest, Farm Bureau members who sign the most new voting members between July 1 and July 31 will be entered to win a $500 gift card. Each member that sells the most memberships will be en-
tered into the drawing. Voting memberships must be postmarked by Aug. 1, and the drawing will be held at 2 p.m. on Aug. 5. To be eligible, your name must appear in the “referred by” box on a new member’s application. Completed applications should be sent to: Indiana Farm Bureau, Attention: K. Rogers – Membership Contest, P.O. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206. For the August contest, each new voting member signed gets earns the person who signed that new mem-
ber one entry into a drawing for a $500 Visa gift card. If you sign 15 new voting members, your name will be entered 15 times. To be eligible, new voting member applications must be postmarked by Aug. 31. The drawing will be held at 3 p.m. on Sept. 6. Please send completed applications with your name in the “referred by” box to the address listed above. For more information on any of the contests and to see the official rules, visit www.infarmbureau.org.
Calendar of Events
July 21 Estate and Succession Planning workshop, Indianapolis. 28, 29 INFB Board of Directors meeting, Indianapolis. August 1 1-3 5-21 11, 12 12 12, 13 13 16-18 17
July 11, 2016
Application deadline for Young Farmer awards. INFB resolutions committee, Indianapolis. Indiana State Fair. INFB Women’s Leadership Committee, Evansville. Taste from Indiana Farms, Evansville Farmers Market. INFB Leaders in Action session, Indianapolis. INFB Young Farmer Summer Social, Noblesville. Taste from Indiana Farms, Indiana State Fair. INFB Old-Fashioned Pancake Breakfast, Indiana State Fair.
www.thehoosierfarmer.com