Spring
FARM TAB
Published by The Paper of Wabash County | March 31, 2021 | www.thepaperofwabash.com
Herb your enthusiasm Couple turns fun of growing fresh herbs into small business By Mandy Mahan mmahan@thepaperofwabash.com
Katey and Joey Till, owners of Morning Glories, took their hobbies and turned them into a small business growing, drying and mixing herbs to sell at local farmer’s markets. Katey, hailing from Fort Wayne, and Joey, hailing from Warsaw married in 2001. The couple moved into their first home in 2003 in South Whitley, which is where their gardening journey began. “Joey had a garden and just wanted to grow vegetables,” Katey told The Paper of Wabash County. “He’s always been interested in organic gardening, so he researched and talked to a lot of gardeners on how to successfully do it. He spent an especially large amount of time researching how to properly compost. He built his own compost bins and would bring home all kinds of materials needed to get the right balance. Soon, he was making yearly journals on the successes and failures of his garden. He discovered that one of his specialties was growing garlic.” Katey eventually convinced her husband to grow some herbs to supplement the meals she cooked. “I’ve always really loved cooking and wanted him to plant fresh herbs for me to cook
with,” she said. “So, Joey planted a small herb garden on the side of our house, which I did a very poor job caring for. Joey eventually took it Katey Till of Morning Glories shows off a mix she created from her husover because bands dried herbs (top photo). Scenes from the process of gardening, canning he couldn’t and setting up at the Wabash Farmers Market (photos to the left). Photos stand to see provided. those poor plants looking so pitiful. He selling dried herbs and garlic would be successful. “She loved the idea of having a vendor sell dried transplanted some of the herbs and garlic, but didn’t think that we’d get very herbs into the main garden and they ended up growing many people interested in purchasing plain dried into amazing, hearty plants herbs,” Katey told The Paper. “She suggested that we thanks to his organic garden- make and sell mixes that contained our herbs. So ing techniques and compost. that’s how the idea of creating mixes was born.” The couple still opted to sell the dried herbs and They were so beautiful, I sugsome varieties of garlic, along with only one mix that gested to Joey that he sell both the herbs and garlic at didn’t sell very well. “Over the course of the season, I would think about the farmers market. I thought it could be a niche. all of the meals that I enjoyed making for our family,” He liked the idea but at the Katey said. “I then started creating mixes of the recipes I had been making for years. The mixes would time, blew it off.” One winter, Joey contain only the dry ingredients for these recipes. The noticed the way that customers would then be required to add their own Katey was cooking fresh ingredients. Our booth ended up doing fairly with herbs she had well that first year and we’ve grown in success every saved and froze from year since.” Morning Glories is now going into their fifth year of the garden, and was selling at farmer’s markets, and the third year of sellinspired. ing at Wabash Farmer’s Market. “You see, at the end of Joey told The Paper that the name, Morning Glories, each growing season, we’d have an abundance came to him easily. “My dad was a gardener,” he said. “We had a whole of beautiful herbs, but wall of morning glories that grew up on the front of didn’t really have a way to salvage them,” said Katey. our house. When it came time to name the business, “Most people didn’t want to the name Morning Glories felt right. I was so excited about the name. I had no doubt that was what we were be given herbs. So, all of that food would go to waste going to name it.” The duo told The Paper that their range of products once the first frost came. I discovered that freezing them continues to grow. “We originally started out making only a few mixes was one way we could still enjoy our bounty. Joey and marinades. Some of those mixes included our popular Meatloaf Mix and Chili mixes,” said Katey. watched me pull a hand full of leaves from a Ziploc bag and “We now offer a wide range of products that include crumble them into a sauce that I mixes, seasoning blends, soups, bread mixes, a popwas making at the time. He was corn mix, Hot pepper flakes, a rice mix, a vegetable dip, a breading mix for deep frying, as well as our sininspired by it and wondered if we could sell frozen herbs at gle dried herbs. Last year we added a Chicken Salad Mix and a Guacamole Mix that we couldn’t keep in the farmer’s market.” The idea of freezing the stock. People would buy us out of these two mixes herbs was eventually given each week at the Farmer’s Market. “We also offered a new Garlic Peppered Salt that is up on due to lack of practicality, but the couple decid- made from the leftover garlic from the previous seaed to try drying the herbs son. Two years ago, I was excited to introduce a new instead. After trying a line of teas. Last season we partnered with Cordes handful of drying tech- Blackberry Farms to introduce two new blackberry niques, they settled on teas and they were well received by our customers. We the technique of dehy- now sell at least five different teas.” Morning Glories products can be purchased at the drating. Katey began plan- 2021 Wabash Farmer’s Market. Morniing Glories is ning for the Columbia also on Facebook, and can be contacted through the City Farmer’s Market and con- page to order online during the Farmer’s Market season. sulted with the Market Master to see if
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2021 Spring Farm Tab
March 31, 2021
HU agriculture program sees numbers grow By KATELYNN FARLEY news@thepaperofwabash.com
HUNTINGTON — In November, Huntington University officially cut the ribbon on its brand new agriculture building, which
was named the Don Strauss Animal Science Center. According to Nate Perry, the managing director of the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies, the 6-year-old program now has 50 students enrolled. There have also been 17
graduates from the agricultural program thus far. “The program itself, for as young as it is, is really taking off,” Perry said. “I think there are more and more people who are interested in agriculture… and to assist in every aspect
of the supply chain… that’s the future.” Because the agricultural program is still young, Perry says that many ag students are “trailblazers” in their own right. “They took a chance on us. They took a chance to come
Senior Agribusiness students at Huntington University (from left) Callie Lemper and Johnna Cummins pose with two kids that were born at the Don Strauss Animal Science Center at HU. Photo provided here to a place that was a new program. I often tell visitors that if they want to go to a place where they can get in line and follow somebody, this probably isn’t it. But if they want to go and help establish something and be on the front end of that . . .” Perry credits much of the student’s success to their past experiences in agricultural-related groups such as FFA and 4-H, which teach-
es them qualities like leadership. Jan. 25 marked the inaugural day of classes at the Animal Science Center, and students are already receiving the handson experience they’ve been looking for. The building was named after the late Don Strauss, founder of Strauss Veal Feeds and Midwest Poultry Services. During a recent food science class, Assistant Professor of
Agriculture Jessica Baggerman gave a presentation over several foods and how they change during the cooking process. For instance, how cooking meat can change the weight, temperature and color of the meat, or how adding fresh pineapple juice to Jell-O will affect its ability to set properly. Even more importantly, students now have the ability to get Continued on Page 3
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Huntington University agriculture students Allyson Fenicle (left) and Rose Thomas (right) pose in their donated coveralls with two pigs that are currently living at the university’s Don Strauss Animal Science Center. Photo provided
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the learning experihands-on experience students are ence with animals at receiving. the new building. On “We aren’t locked Valentine’s Day, one in to something now of the university’s forever. We have the goats kidded, deliverability to maneuver ing two healthy kids. and design the pens “It’s been incrediaccording to what is ble,” Baggerman said. “It’s been such a being taught and in conjunction with blessing to have this what is being taught facility.” in the classroom. Baggerman said That’s probably one that the blessing the of the most unique facility has bestowed aspects of this upon the university space.” was highPerry lighted says that when the space their secwas “built ond goat for the kidded future.” during the Baggerschool man also week. notes that “We the space were able isn’t just to watch for her give Huntingbirth from ton the classUniversity room. So, — Rose Thomas, agriculshe was calm and Huntington ture classin her University junior es or students, but normal for comstate, but munity we were outreach still able as well. K-12 students to observe. The stufrom the community, dents really apprecias well as groups ate being able to be from Future Farmers here through that of America and a colwhole process. . . and legiate Farm Bureau to learn about the group, have been able events that occur in more than just a ‘read to use the space and will be able to utilize the textbook’ kind of the space in the way.” future. “We wouldn’t be Perry explains that able to have that kind the sheer size of the of experience if we didn’t have this facili- building also plays a part in its ability to ty.” be adaptable and used Kaitlyn Stephan, a to the fullest. junior Ag Business“It’s 10,000 square Animal Production feet, 6,000 of which if major from for animals and 4,000 Huntington, says that for people, which dealing with the includes the 1,400 goats and being able square foot classto milk the mother room. It serves as goat has been “her anything and everyfavorite activity so thing that we would far.” need it to be.” Perry notes that Perry hopes that the flexibility within the space offers an the space itself is also a vital part of Continued on Page 10
“I think it’s definitely going to put us on the map as a university.”
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2021 Spring Farm Tab
March 31, 2021
USDA announces ‘Pandemic Assistance for Producers’
USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. The new initiative — USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers — will reach a broader set of producers than in previous COVID-19 aid programs. USDA is dedicating at least $6 billion toward the new programs. The Department will also develop rules for new programs that will put a greater empha-
sis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers, specialty crop and organic producers, timber harvesters, as well as provide support for the food supply chain and producers of renewable fuel, among others. Existing programs like the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will fall within the new initiative and, where statutory authority allows, will be refined to better address the needs of producers. USDA Pandemic Assistance for
Producers was needed, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, after a review of previous COVID-19 assistance programs targeting farmers identified a number of gaps and disparities in how assistance was distributed as well as
inadequate outreach to underserved producers and smaller and medium operations. “The pandemic affected all of agriculture, but many farmers did not benefit from previous rounds of pandemicrelated assistance.
The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to helping as many producers as possible, as equitably as possible,” Vilsack said. “Our new USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative will help get financial assistance to a broader set of producers, including to socially disadvantaged communities, small and medium sized producers, and farmers and producers of less traditional crops.” USDA will reopen sign-up for CFAP 2 for at least 60 days beginning on April 5,
2021. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has committed at least $2.5 million to improve outreach for CFAP 2 and will establish partnerships with organizations with strong connections to socially disadvantaged communities to ensure they are informed and aware of the application process. The payments (under Part 3, below) will go out under the existing CFAP rules; however, future opportunities for USDA Pandemic Assistance will be reviewed for verified need and during the rulemaking process, USDA will look to make eligibility more consistent with the Farm Bill. Moving forward, USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers will utilize existing programs, such as the Local Agricultural Marketing Program, Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach, and Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, and others to enhance educational and market opportunities for agricultural producers. USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers Part 1: Investing $6 Billion to
Expand Help & Assistance to More Producers USDA will dedicate at least $6 billion to develop a number of new programs or modify existing proposals using discretionary funding from the Consolidated Appropriations Act and other coronavirus funding that went unspent by the previous administration. Where rulemaking is required, it will commence this spring. These efforts will include assistance for: Dairy farmers through the Dairy Donation Program or other means: Euthanized livestock and poultry; Biofuels; Specialty crops, beginning farmers, local, urban and organic farms; Costs for organic certification or to continue or add conservation activities Other possible expansion and corrections to CFAP that were not part of today’s announcement such as to support dairy or other livestock producers; Timber harvesting and hauling; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other protective measures for food and farm workContinued on Page 5
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COVID relief ers and specialty crop and seafood producers, processors and distributors; Improving the resil ience of the food supply chain, including assistance to meat and poultry operations to facilitate interstate shipment; Developing infrastructure to support donation and distribution of perishable commodities, including food donation and distribution through farm-to-school, restaurants or other community organizations; and Reducing food waste. Part 2: Adding $500 Million of New Funding to Existing Programs USDA expects to begin investing approximately $500 million in expedited assistance through several existing programs this spring, with most by April 30. This new assistance includes: $100 million in additional funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), which enhances the competitiveness of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. $75 million in additional funding for the Farmers Opportunities Training and Outreach program, administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, which encourages and assists socially disadvantaged, veteran, and beginning farmers and ranchers in the ownership and operation of farms and ranches. $100 million in additional funding for the Local Agricultural Marketing Program, administered by the AMS and Rural Development, which supports the development, coordination and expansion of direct producer-toconsumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises and value-added agricultural products. $75 million in additional funding for the Gus Schumacher
Nutrition Incentive Program, administered by the NIFA, which provides funding opportunities to conduct and evaluate projects providing incentives to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers $20 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to improve and maintain animal disease prevention and response capacity, including the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. $20 million for the Agricultural Research Service to work collaboratively with Texas A&M on the critical intersection between responsive agriculture, food production, and human nutrition and health. $28 million for NIFA to provide grants to state departments of agriculture to expand or sustain existing farm stress assistance programs. Approximately $80 million in additional payments to domestic users of upland and extra-long staple cotton based on a formula set in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 that USDA plans to deliver through the Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills program. Part 3: Carrying Out Formula Payments under CFAP 1, CFAP 2, CFAP AA The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, enacted December 2020 requires FSA to make certain payments to producers according to a mandated formula. USDA is now expediting these provisions because there is no discretion involved in interpreting such directives, they are self-enacting. An increase in CFAP 1 payment rates for cattle. Cattle producers with
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approved CFAP 1 applications will automatically receive these payments beginning in April. Information on the additional payment rates for cattle can be found on farmers.gov/cfap. Eligible producers do not need to submit new applications, since payments are based on previously approved CFAP 1 applications. USDA estimates additional payments of more than $1.1 billion to more than 410,000 producers, according to the mandated formula. Additional CFAP assistance of $20 per acre for producers of eligible crops identified as CFAP 2 flatrate or price-trigger crops beginning in April. This includes alfalfa, corn, cotton, hemp, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets and wheat, among other crops. FSA will automatically issue payments to eligible price trigger and flatrate crop producers based on the eligible acres included on their CFAP 2 applications. Eligible pro-
ducers do not need to submit a new CFAP 2 application. For a list of all eligible rowcrops, visit farmers.gov/cfa p. USDA estimates additional payments of more than $4.5 billion to more than 560,000 producers, according to the mandated formula. USDA will finalize routine decisions and minor formula adjustments on applications and begin processing payments for certain applications filed as part of the CFAP Additional Assistance program in the following categories: Applications filed for pullets and turfgrass sod; A formula correction for row-crop producer applications to allow producers with a non-Actual Production History (APH) insurance policy to use 100% of the 2019 Agriculture Risk Coverage-County Option (ARC-CO) benchmark yield in the calculation; Sales commodity applications revised to include insurance indemnities, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program payments, and Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus payments, as required by statute; and Additional payments for swine producers and contract growers under CFAP Continued on Page 6
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COVID relief ...continued from Page 5
Additional Assistance remain on hold and are likely to require modifications to the regulation as part of the broader evaluation and future assistance; however, FSA will continue to accept applications from interested producers. Part 4: Reopening CFAP 2 Sign-Up to Improve Access & Outreach to Underserved Producers As noted above, USDA will re-open sign-up for of CFAP 2 for at least 60 days
beginning on April 5, 2021. FSA has committed at least $2.5 million to establish partnerships and direct outreach efforts intended to improve outreach for CFAP 2 and will cooperate with grassroots organizations with strong connections to socially disadvantaged communities to ensure they are informed and aware of the application process. Please stay tuned for additional information and announcements
under the USDA Pandemic Assistance to Producers initiative, which will help to expand and more equitably distribute financial assistance to producers and farming operations during the COVID-19 national emergency. Please visit www.farmers.gov for more information on the details of today’s announcement. USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
March 31, 2021
Family-owned farms account for 96% of U.S. farms, report says From the USDA WASHINGTON – Family farms comprise 96 percent of all U.S. farms, account for 87 percent of land in farms, and 82 percent of the value of all agricultural products sold, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The farm typology report primarily focuses on the “family farm,” defined as any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the producer and individuals related to the producer. The report classifies all farms into unique categories based on two criteria: who owns the operation and gross cash farm income (GCFI). GCFI includes the producer’s sales of crops and livestock, fees for delivering commodities under production contracts, government payments, and farm-related income. “Classifying America’s 2 million farms to better reflect their diversity is critical to evaluating and reporting on U.S. agriculture,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “Typology allows us to more meaningfully explore the demographics of who is farming and ranching today as well as their impact on the economy and communities around the country.” The data show that small family farms, those farms with a GCFI of less than $350,000 per year, account for 88 percent of all U.S. farms, 46 percent of total land in farms, and 19 percent of the value of all agricultural products sold. Large-scale family farms (GCFI of $1 million or more) make
up less than 3 percent of all U.S. farms but produce 43 percent of the value of all agricultural products. Mid-size farms (GCFI between $350,000 and $999,999) are 5 percent of U.S. farms and produce 20 percent of the value of all agricultural products. The data also show that the number of family farms decreased by 4 percent (almost 80,000 farms) since 2012. Large and mid-size family farms experienced steeper declines, decreasing 13 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Small family farms experienced a smaller decline (3 percent). Other key findings from the 2017 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report include: Southern and New England states have the highest share of small family farms. Midwestern and Northern Plains states have the lowest share. Conversely, the share of mid-size and large-scale farms is highest in the Midwest and Northern Plains states. Farm specialization varies by farm size. The majority (57 percent) of small family farms specialize in cattle (34 percent) or “other crops” such as hay and forage production (23 percent). Over half (53 percent) of mid-size farms specialize in grains and oilseeds. Large-scale family farms vary more in product specialization, though they are more likely than other family farms to specialize in dairy production or specialty crops. Small family farms account for 45 percent of all direct sales to consumers, compared to 17 percent for mid-size family farms and 23 percent for large-scale family farms.
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Boosting milk-production efficiency can reduce cow methane-emission intensity By Jeff Mulhollem Penn State University UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — These are not your grandfather’s dairy cows. In 2014, the United States national dairy herd produced twice as much milk as it did 90 years ago, but with about 60 percent fewer cows. These whopping productivity gains — achieved through continuous improvements in animal genetics, nutrition and management — are especially significant in these times of angst over global climate change. As a result of developing “cleaner, greener” cows, animal scientists and dairy producers have reduced by half the enteric methane emissions per unit of milk produced in this country, according to a researcher in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. One way to look at this phenomena: If the 94 million tons of milk we get now were produced by cows with 1924 emission rates, there would be an additional 1.6 million tons of methane emitted to the atmosphere, essentially more than doubling the current enteric methane emissions from U.S. dairy cows. “The United States is one of the world’s largest producers of milk and dairy products, with a dairy industry estimated at $140 billion in annual economic output,” said Alexander Hristov, professor of
dairy nutrition. “Inevitable byproducts of the industry are greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide. In 2003, dairy methane emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management represented about 11 percent of the country’s total methane emissions. But U.S. dairy farmers have been steadily improving the efficiency of milk production, which in turn has resulted in a dramatic improvement in enteric methane emission intensity.” Hristov, whose recent research has focused on feed additives Hristrov, who has experimented with feed supplements that that can influence microbes and change the methane-producing chemistry of the dairy cow rumen, noted that livestock producers are striving to improve the efficiency of milk or meat production and reduce the carbon footprint of their industries. Recently published by the Global Research Alliance on Greenhouse Gases, Hristov’s article, “Reducing the Emissions Intensity of Livestock Production — A Case Study of Success,” underlines a growing consensus that increased production efficiency equals lower methane emissions per unit of product. Increasing animal productivity will always decrease greenhouse gas emission intensity, he
stressed. Hristov believes that the message — increased productivity is the most efficient method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions — needs to reach producers in developing countries. The U.S. dairy industry is an excellent example, he pointed out. Dairy cow productivity in the United States has steadily increased — 14 percent in the last decade alone and over fivefold since 1924, the first year dairy statistics were reported by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. At the same time, the size of the United States dairy herd has decreased to just 43 percent of what it was in 1924. Modern dairy cows are larger and consume more feed, which results in higher enteric methane emissions per cow, about 2.5 times more in 2014 versus 1924. “However, the intensity of enteric methane production has dropped from about 31 g/kg of milk in 1924 to 14 g/kg in 2014. This progress has been driven by continuous improvements in animal
U.S. dairy farmers have been steadily improving the efficiency of milk production, which in turn has resulted in a dramatic improvement in enteric methane emission intensity, according to a researcher in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Photo courtesy of Penn State University genetics, nutrition, health, management
and free market mechanisms,”
Hristov explained.
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2021 Spring Farm Tab
March 31, 2021
Purdue program to support ag innovators WEST LAFAYETTE – A new campuswide faculty innovation and entrepreneurship program will help connect Purdue University innovators with novel paths for entrepreneurship and commercialization.
To kick off the program, the College of Agriculture has appointed Christian Butzke, a food science professor and wine industry entrepreneur, as the first innovation and entrepreneurship fellow. “I could not be
more excited about this great opportunity to share my passion for innovation and entrepreneurship with our wonderful faculty,” Butzke said. “I look forward to working with faculty and students who are inter-
ested in commercialization to take their innovations to the world.” In this new role, Butzke will mentor faculty and students considering entrepreneurship. He also will support Karen Plaut, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture, to develop and implement entrepreneurship and commercialization strategies for the College of Agriculture. “Commercializatio n of Purdue discoveries is crucial in our efforts as a worldwide leader in addressing challenges in food, life and natural resource sciences,” Plaut said. Bernie Engel, associate dean and director of agricultural research and graduate education, said, “The College of Agriculture has made great strides working with Dan Dawes and our ecosystem partners in creation of startup companies based on faculty, student and staff discoveries.”
Christian Butzke, a food science professor and wine industry entrepreneur, as the first innovation and entrepreneurship fellow.
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2021 Spring Farm Tab
State ag dept. announces dairy strategy From the Indiana State Department of Agriculture INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has unveiled a new Indiana Dairy Strategy, which focuses on dairy business expansion, development and attraction to our great Hoosier state. Indiana Dairy Strategy 2.0 is an update to the previous dairy strategy released in 2015. “This updated dairy strategy highlights our strengths as an agriculture focused state along with our unprecedented business climate,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “We want to encourage processors and dairy businesses to think of Indiana when realizing expansion or adding an additional location is on the horizon.” America’s dairy farmers are critical to agriculture, not just in Indiana, but around the world. Dairy products provide a rich source of protein and other vital nutrients at an affordable cost for consumers and it is readily available in almost all grocery stores. While the coronavirus pandemic did cause some disruptions for the dairy industry, this strategy focuses on data pre-COVID-19. “Our dairy industry is crucial for our state and we are incredibly thankful for our Hoosier farmers and processors,” said Bruce Kettler, Indiana State Department of Agriculture director. “Our dairy farmers are committed to their profession and we are proud to support them
on the state level and will continue to do everything we can to increase milk processing in our state and add value to our dairy products.” The Indiana Dairy Strategy 2.0 was developed to better understand our current dairy industry environment and its strengths. It also gives an overview of the data trends the industry has seen play out over the past few years. A goal of the dairy strategy was to find new ways to strengthen our dairy industry and work with our current processors to increase milk outlets. “The dairy industry is something I have been a part of all my life, and it is an industry that teaches me something new each day,” said Doug Leman, executive director of the Indiana Dairy Producers. “This updated strategy is a big step forward in making more opportunities available for Hoosier dairy farmers.” Some highlights of the dairy strategy are as follows: Indiana produces a net surplus of 3.5 million pounds of milk each day. Indiana producers and farmers have made strides around sustainability and work each day to reduce ecological impact. A key asset in growing Indiana’s dairy sector is the state’s advantage of critical infrastructure. Indiana has a positive regulatory and tax environment for dairy producers and processors.
HU ag area for students that “feels like they’re just right across the road somewhere on campus.” Students have a lobby and seating area available to them to spend time between classes, as well as a restroom and shower facility and a boot and coverall locker space. The university received a donation of coveralls for the students from Berne Apparell in Ossian. Rose Thomas, a junior at Huntington, chose to attend the university because of her already extensive background in agriculture. Growing up on a dairy farm in Middlebury, she “didn’t consider anything else other than com-
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...continued from Page 3 ing to college for agriculture.” And when she saw that HU was a small, Christian school, she decided it was “the perfect fit.” Thomas is double majoring in Animal Science and Agribusiness Animal Reproduction. She is also minoring in biology. Thomas believes that the hands-on experience she has been able to receive is the most important part of her agricultural education. “First to none. You can’t get anything better than (hands on) and I think that’s what this building offers,” Thomas said. “I think it’s definitely going to put us on the map as a university.”
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March 31, 2021
Hadley Farms named River Friendly As concern grows in our communities regarding water quality, there are farmers utilizing conservation practices that are making a difference. The practices they have implemented, often voluntarily, are protecting waterways and improving water quality in Indiana and beyond. Hadley Farms in Wabash County are one of those farms and they are one of the Indiana farmers who received the statewide award of ‘River Friendly Farmer’. This award, hosted by the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD), recognizes landowners and farmers in the state of Indiana for the work they do on their land to protect Indiana’s natural resources. Hadley Farms was nominated by the local county Soil and Water Conservation District.
Darin Hadley, his wife, Amanda and their four children. Hadley was named Wabash County’s River Friendly Farmer. Hadley Farms is operated by Darin Hadley in the Mississinewa River Watershed. Darin Hadley, his wife, Amanda and their four children live in Waltz Township on their oil crop and wheat farm. Darin has a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in Agricultural Economics and is currently an Ag Banker for Rabo AgriFinance Inc. Darin has served on the Wabash County SWCD board
of supervisors for five years. He is past president of the Wabash Kiwanis Club and past president of the Wabash County Extension Board. Currently he is a Wabash Fair Board Member and serves as the Wabash County 4-H Beef Superintendent. Darin incorporates no till practices and cover crops into his system, as well as, nutrient management, pest management and variable rate fertilizer. This systems approach –
adopting a suite of practices to improve the health of their soils, has made Hadley Farms a worthy recipient of the River Friendly Farmer award. The River Friendly Farmers Awards Ceremony originally scheduled at the Indiana State Fairgrounds was cancelled due to the cancellation of the Indiana State Fair. Instead, Darin Hadley was recognized at the 2021 Soil & Water Annual Meeting held on March 3, 2021. During the annual meeting he will receive an award certificate, ribbon, Polo shirt and the River Friendly Farmer sign to be displayed on their farm. The River Friendly Farmer Award has been presented by the IASWCD and sponsored by the 92 local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. since 2000.
Dillon Gable, his wife, Alix, and children- Lucas, Blakely and Miles were named the the 2020 Conservationist of the Year chosen by the Wabash County SWCD.
Gable Cattle named top conservationist The Wabash County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board of Supervisors have chosen Gable Cattle Company as the recipient of the Wabash County Conservationist of the Year Award for 2020. Dillon Gable along with his Mother, Teresa and two brothers, Jared and Kane, own and operate a total of three hundred and thirty acres. Their main farm is in North Manchester located in Pleasant township. They also have farms located in Silver Lake, within Lake Township and South Whitley, within Cleveland Township. The Gables utilize a corn, soybean and wheat rotation on their acreage. In 2010, the Gables began the switch to no-till farming on
their land. No-till farming reduces soil erosion, increases soil biological activity and increases soil organic matter. Their goal is to have zero tillage on their ground. In the Fall of 2015 Dillon along with brothers and mother began managing the farm after losing their father in a motorcycle accident. 2015 was also the year they began using cover crops. Cover crops are planted on cropland in the “off-season” to help protect the soil from erosion. In addition, they improve soil’s physical and biological properties, supply nutrients, suppress weeds, improve the availability of soil water, and break pest cycles along with various other benefits. The Gables plant shorter season Continued on Page 11
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Conservation easement update strengthens protections WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released the final rule for its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which enables agricultural producers and private landowners to protect farmlands, grasslands, and wetlands with conservation easements. The rule updates ACEP as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and incorporates public comments made on an interim rule. “Conservation easements are a critical conservation tool helping landowners sustain vital working landscapes and wetland ecosystems,” said Terry Cosby, act-
ing chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “These minor updates to the ACEP final rule are intended to improve processes that will help strengthen the impacts of our investments and continue to elevate protection of ecologically important lands through voluntary conservation.” ACEP is USDA’s premier conservation easement program, offering financial and technical assistance to help protect productive farm and ranch lands from conversion to other uses and to restore and protect the nation’s critical wetlands. It uses innovative conservation systems to support the restora-
Gable Cattle cash crops in order to have a larger window in the fall to drill in cover. This allows for establishment of a good stand in the fall. In the spring, the covers can grow and are not terminated until they start to flower or mature. This is usually in the end of May or beginning of June. “ We didn’t like planting covers and then spraying to kill them first thing in the spring. So, we decided to start our transition to organic no-till with the hopes to plant fall covers then let them mature in the spring and plant
green into them and then terminate the covers with a roller crimper.” This transition to organic no-till was achieved! In the spring of 2020, the Gables have become certified organic on all three hundred and thirty acres. The Gables recognize that in order to have a successful conservation system one needs to employ multiple conservation practices. In addition to no-till and cover crops, they are now hoping to experiment with pollinator strips as well.
tion of wetland ecosystems and to protect working lands, helping to sequester carbon, trap sediment, and filter pollutants for clean water. ACEP’s agricultural land easements (ALE) component assists state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations and American Indian tribes that have farmland or grassland protection programs purchase conservation easements from eligible landowners. This helps protect the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive working farmland and grassland to non-agricultural uses or non-grassland
uses. The wetland reserve easements (WRE) component helps landowners restore and protect wetlands in agricultural landscapes that provide benefits, including increased wildlife habitat, improved water quality, reduced impacts from flooding, groundwater recharge, and more outdoor recreation and educational opportunities. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance directly to private and tribal landowners to restore, protect and enhance wetlands through the purchase of these easements. NRCS received more than 570 comments on the ACEP
...continued from Page 10 Gable Cattle Company was recognized at the Wabash County SWCD
Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 3, for its conservation efforts.
interim rule, which was published on Jan. 6, 2020. Overall, comments expressed support for the changes made in the interim rule but requested some clarifications and additional changes. The final rule responds to these
comments and adopts the interim rule with minor changes, including: Updates to ACEP: Revised the defintions for beginning farmer or rancher, eligible land, farm or ranch succession plan, future viability and maintenance
to provide additional clarity. Updates to ACEP Agricultural Land Easements: Incorporated priority into the ACEPALE ranking criteria for lands enrolled in the Transition Incentives Program
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Tips for safer farming From Metro Creative Graphics
Tractor accidents, grain entrapment and injuries from ornery livestock are just some of the dangers agricultural workers face every day. In fact, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. In 2016, the agricultural industry had a rate of 21.4 deaths per 100,000 workers, and each day agricultural workers experienced 100 non-fatal,
lost-work-time injuries. Agricultural dangers are not limited to North America. In Ireland, farm accidents have increased by 13 percent in the last five years and by 31 percent in the last decade, according to a national survey of farm accidents conducted by the Teagasc National Farm Survey. Furthermore, 97 percent of all farm accident victims required medical treatment. Farms are dangerous places, and while carelessness can and does contribute to
many incidents, accidents also take place during routine, seemingly safe activities. These farm safety guidelines can help lower the risk of injuries. • Know farm equipment. Read and follow all instructions in the equipment operation manuals. In addition, attend local farm safety workshops to learn more about specific equipment and products. • Conduct routine safety checks. Look around buildings and grounds for obvious hazards, such as fire
These farm safety guidelines can help lower the risk of injuries. hazards and hazardous materials, including farm chemicals that are not stored correctly. • Practice cleanliness. Maintain clean and neat work areas with tools stored properly and out of the way after use. • Be mindful of your clothing and hair. Many accidents involve a power take-
off system, or PTO, which is a common component of large rotary mowers, tractors and forage choppers. Clothing can easily get caught in an engaged but unguarded PTO stub. It’s easy for laces or coveralls to become wrapped around a spinning stub shaft. The PTO driveline and other protrusion
points also can be dangerous if people do not pay attention. • Use rollover protection structures. ROPS can be used on tractors and other equipment to prevent injuries. In addition, wear seat belts and employ other safety equipment as advised. • Avoid extra passengers.
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2021 Spring Farm Tab www.thepaperofwabash.com 13 2020 corn, soybean production up From the USDA
Enhanced milk replacer with high crude-protein dry starter feed is the winning combination for increasing not just body weight but also lean tissue gain, according to a University of Illinois study.
Dairy calves benefit from higher protein starter feed, study shows From the University of Illinois
URBANA, Ill. – Dairy producers know early nutrition for young calves has far-reaching impacts, both for the long-term health and productivity of the animals and for farm profitability. With the goal of increasing not just body weight but also lean tissue gain, a new University of Illinois study finds enhanced milk replacer with high crude-protein dry starter feed is the winning combination. “Calves fed more protein with the starter had less fat in their body weight gain, and more protein was devoted to the development of the gastrointestinal system, compared with the lower starter protein,” says James Drackley, professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Illinois and co-author on the study. “Our results say producers who are feeding calves a more aggressive amount of milk for greater rates of gain should be feeding a higher protein starter along with that.” Producers typically feed milk replacer along with a grain-based starter feed to kick-start development of the rumen ahead of forage consumption. Yet the Journal of Dairy Science study is the first to specifically examine body composition changes, versus simple body weight, in response to milk replacer and high-protein starter feed. Understanding where the nutrients go in the body makes a big difference.
“If producers aren’t providing enough protein in the starter as the calves go through the weaning process, they might be limiting development of the gastrointestinal system, which is needed to provide nutrients for the rest of the body,” Drackley says. Drackley and his co-authors started two-tothree-day-old calves on one of three experimental diets: a low rate of milk replacer-plusconventional starter (18 percent crude protein, as-fed basis); a high rate of milk replacer-plusconventional starter; and a high rate of milk replacer-plus-high crude-protein starter (22 percent crude protein, as-fed basis). Additional protein in the high-protein starter was provided by soybean meal, compared with conventional starter, which was a mixture of wheat middlings, soybean meal, and corn, among other ingredients. The calves were weaned at six weeks of age, and were harvested at five or 10 weeks to determine body comCotninued on Page 14
WASHINGTON – Increased acreage and higher yields for corn and soybeans allowed both crops to return to more typical production levels, according to the 2020 Crop Production Annual Summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). U.S. corn growers produced 14.2 billion bushels, up 4 percent from 2019. Corn yield in the United States is estimated at 172.0 bushels per acre, 4.5 bushels above the 2019 yield of 167.5 bushels per acre. Area harvested for grain, at 82.5 million acres, is up 1 percent from 2019. Soybean production for 2020 totaled 4.14 billion bushels, up 16 percent from 2019. With record high yields in Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, and Tennessee, the average soybean yield is estimated at 50.2 bushels per acre, 2.8 bushels above 2019, but 0.5 bushel below the Nov. 1 forecast.
For 2020, all cotton production is down 25 percent from 2019, at 15.0 million 480-pound bales. The U.S. yield is estimated at 825 pounds per acre, up 2 pounds from last year’s yield. Harvested area, at 8.70 million acres, is down 25 percent from last year. Also released today were the Winter Wheat and Canola Seedings and Grain Stocks reports. The Winter Wheat and Canola Seedings report provides the first indicator of this year’s winter wheat acreage. Planted area for harvest in 2021 is estimated at 32.0 million acres, up 5 percent from 2020. In the Grain Stocks report, corn stored as of Dec. 1, 2020 was estimated to be down fractionally from Dec. 1, 2019. Soybean stocks were down 10 percent from a year earlier. Corn stored in all positions totaled 11.3 billion bushels, while soybeans totaled 2.93 billion bushels. All wheat stocks were down 9 percent from a year earlier. All wheat stored in all positions on Dec. 1, 2020 totaled 1.67 billion bushels.
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Common sustainable agriculture practices
From Metro Creative Graphics The concept of sustainability varies by industry. Within the agricultural industry, sustainability is a
multifaceted concept that has become increasingly popular in recent decades. According to the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture, sustainable agriculture seeks to increase profitable farm income, promote environmental stewardship, enhance
quality of life for farm families and communities, and increase production for human food and fiber needs. In an attempt to reach those goals, farmers who embrace sustainable agriculture may look to various practices. • Cover crops: The Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit organization that aims to employ independent science to address the planet’s most pressing problems, notes that cover crops are planted during the offseason when soils have traditionally been left bare. Cover crops can help prevent soil erosion and replenish the nutrients in the soil. Cover crops also can limit weed growth, reducing the need for herbicides that can prove harmful to the environment. • Reduce or eliminate tillage: According to the UCS, traditional
Farmers who embrace sustainable agriculture may look to various practices.
Continued on Page 15.
Dairy calves ...continued from Page 13 position. “After weaning, the weights of the digestive system and liver were greater with the higher protein starter,” Drackley says. “It might be part of the reason why a slump in growth is often seen right around the time of weaning when calves are fed a conventional starter. The calves just don’t have the developed diges-
tive system to be able to keep things going as they change from the milk diet to the dry feed diet.” He adds that calves fed the higher rate of milk replacer grew more rapidly and had more lean tissue, with less fat. “The low rate of milk replacer has been fairly standard, historically. It’s designed to provide the maintenance
needs and a small rate of growth, and to encourage calves to consume the dry feed at an earlier age. But research has supported the use of higher rates, so we’re trying to shift the industry towards rates of milk feeding we think are more appropriate,” Drackley says. “Now we have good reason to point producers to high-protein starter, as well.”
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Ag practices ...continued from Page 14 plowing, or tillage, can cause a significant amount of soil loss, even as it prepares fields for planting and reduces the likelihood of weed problems. Eliminating or reducing tillage involves inserting seeds directly into undisturbed soil, which can reduce erosion and improve the health of the soil. • Integrated pest management: Integrated pest management techniques
Technology has left a significant footprint in every industry, and the agricultural sector is no exception.
The role of technology in ag From Metro Creative Graphics When asked to think of industries that utilize technology in unique ways, few people may immediately think of agriculture. But technology has left a significant footprint in every industry, and the agricultural sector is no exception. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture notes that modern farms operate a lot differently than the farms of yesteryear. Dramatic changes have taken place within the agricultural industry over the last few decades, helping farming operations become more efficient and profitable as well as safer and more eco-friendly. Robots, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images, and GPS technologies are now routinely employed within the agricultural industry. The NIFA notes that the value of such technologies cannot be understated. Thanks to the technologies at their disposals, farmers no longer have to uniformly apply water, fertilizer and pesticides to their farms. Technology now allows them to use only the minimum amounts required as they zero in on individual plants and target specific areas of
their farms. The NIFA notes that the utilization of these technologies produces some very real benefits, including: • Higher crop productivity • Reduced impact on natural ecosystems • Less runoff of chemicals into rivers and groundwater • Increased worker safety Safer, more efficient and more eco-friendly operations can only make the agricultural industry more successful in the decades to come. That’s especially notable as the world continues to confront climate change and how it might affect the food supply. Though few may recognize the role of technology in modern farming, there’s no denying the impact that various technologies have already had on the agricultural industry. And that impact figures to become even more profound in the decades to come.
aim to minimize the use of chemical pesticides that can prove harmful to the environment and local wildlife. According to the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, IPM strategies like habitat manipulation and the planting of diseaseresistant plants are designed to promote long-term prevention of pests and the damage such pests can cause.
• Crop/livestock integration: The UCS notes that there is growing evidence to suggest that the careful integration of crop and animal production can help farmers make their farms more efficient and profitable. Sustainable agriculture is a complex concept that can benefit farmers, their local communities and the environment in myriad ways.
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U.S. cattle inventory down slightly From the USDA
It’s important that consumers recognize the many ways that organic agriculture is having a positive impact on the health of humans and the planet they call home.
Project aims to improve safety testing for leafy greens URBANA, Ill. – Lettuce is an important food commodity in the U.S., popular for its health and nutrition benefits. But leafy greens can be carriers of foodborne disease, leading to frequent product recalls. A new University of Illinois study aims to develop better testing methods for produce. Matt Stasiewicz, assistant professor of applied food safety at U of I, received a $348,753 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for the project. “Safety testing is important for a ready-to-eat product that isn’t cooked before consumption. We want to ensure we find contamination if it occurs so we can remove it from the product stream,” Stasiewicz says. “The
goal of this USDA grant is to introduce transformative change into how preharvest testing works.” Stasiewicz’s project involves swabbing many plants in the field to capture potential pathogens, then passing those aggregate swabs to a single microbiological test. “The main foodborne pathogen leafy green growers are worried about is toxin-producing E. coli; those have been responsible for outbreaks the last couple of years. We know risk factors are animal intrusion, relatively recent rainfall events, and untreated or otherwise contaminated irrigation water,” he explains. Current preharvest testing involves collecting samples from the field and sending them to a lab for testing. While that may
catch major contamination issues, smaller-scale events are often undetected but could still put consumers at risk of illness. The new method aims to capture much more comprehensive and reliable data. It requires a person to walk through the field with a sterile cloth attached to a stick, swabbing plants by brushing the leaves. “Rather than physical collection of relatively small samples, we can collect a much larger representation of the entire field,” Stasiewicz says. Meat processors already use sterile sampling swabs for product testing, and those swabs can be adapted to work for produce. “Food safety issues focused on lettuce are important, and the NIFA grant acknowl-
2020 grain dust explosions result in zero fatalities
WEST LAFAYETTE - Kingsly Ambrose, Purdue University associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering, recently released the 2020 annual grain dust explosions report that catalogues the number of deaths and injuries nationwide. Grain dust is a highly combustible substance and often airborne in handling and processing facilities. Explosions occur when there is a source of ignition, often from small, unintentional sparks within the facility. According to the report, there were eight-grain dust explosions in 2020, resulting in zero fatalities and nine injuries. The 10-year average for injuries is 8.1; it is 1.7 for fatalities. The grain types identified in the explosions
included two cases of corn, two wheat, two mixed feed, one rice and one dietary fiber. Dust explosions occurred in eight different states, one each in Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, Nebraska, Missouri and Arkansas. Four of these explosions occurred in a grain elevator, and the remaining four in a feed mill, corn mill, rice mill and grain processor for dietary fiber. Ambrose explained the importance of compiling these reports. “Most companies use this information for training their employees,” Ambrose said. “Regulatory authorities also use incident reports for their training purposes. It helps with creating or spreading awareness on dust explosions and their causes.”
edges the value of Dr. Stasiewicz’s work in this area,” says Nicki Engeseth, head of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at U of I. “This research will greatly enhance the lettuce safety testing process, making it more safe, efficient and comprehensive.” The project aligns with Stasiewicz’s other research on food safety. He recently received a $220,000 grant from the Center for Produce Safety to study product testing for leafy greens, tomatoes, apples, and other produce. The project uses computer modeling to simulate safety testing throughout the supply chain, including preharvest, at the packer, at the grocer, and at restaurants. The goal is to determine the most appropriate places to apply
product testing.
WASHINGTON – There were 93.6 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of Jan. 1, 2021, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Other key findings in the report were: Of the 93.6 million head inventory, all cows and heifers that have calved totaled 40.6 million. There were 31.2 million beef cows in
the United States as of Jan. 1, 2021, down 1 percent from last year. The number of milk cows in the United States increased to 9.4 million. U.S. calf crop was estimated at 35.1 million head, down 1 percent from the previous year. All cattle on feed were at 14.7 million head, up slightly from 2020. To obtain an accurate measurement of the current state of the U.S. cattle industry, NASS surveyed over 34,900 operators.
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USDA guidelines support soy product consumption From the USDA ST. LOUIS — The Soy Nutrition Institute recently issued a summary statement about the latest USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, highlighting the inclusion of soy products in all three dietary patterns for healthy eating. The U.S.style, vegetarian and Mediterraneanstyle dietary patterns recommend consumption of nutrient-dense foods and beverages throughout all stages of life. The guidelines define six core elements that make up a healthy dietary pattern — vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, protein foods and oils — and soybased products are included in four of the six core elements: dairy, oils, vegetables, and protein foods. “To have soybeans and soy-rich products included in something as important and influential as these guidelines is a significant step toward increasing overall demand for U.S. soybeans,” said Kevin Wilson, United Soybean Board farmer-leader from Indiana and Soy Nutrition Institute secretary/treasurer. In the four core elements with inclusion of soy foods, soy-rich beverages and soy yogurt are the only plant-based milk alternatives in the dairy subgroup considered to be “dairy equivalent.” For oils, soybean and other vegetable oils provide essential fatty acids in a healthy dietary pattern, and the guidelines advise consuming these oils in place of oils higher in saturated fats. Because of their nutrient benefits, edamame and soybeans fall under the vegetables subgroup “beans, peas and lentils,” with that entire food subgroup counting
toward a person’s recommended intake of vegetables or protein. To round off with protein foods, soy products including tofu and tempeh – and products made from soy flour, soy protein isolate, and soy concentrate – are included in the guidelines. “This new guidance, based on an expanding body of evidence, demonstrates the versatility of soy due to its inclusion in most of the core element categories,” said Keenan McRoberts, Ph.D., vice president of science and program strategy for the United Soybean Board. “The recommendations provide data for soy checkoff use in strengthening U.S. soy’s important role in dietary nutrient supply.” This report’s encouraging recommendation of soy in four of the six core food element groups offers an opportunity for the soy checkoff to continue to build momentum and partnerships in the food industry. Across the U.S., soybean farmers focus on being good stew-
ards of natural resources and prioritize sustainable farming practices. To raise awareness of soy as a sustainable ingredient, the soy checkoff is bringing the sustainability of U.S. soy front and center to end-user marketing and sustainability teams. USB recently announced a pilot partnership for companies to use the Sustainably Grown U.S. Soy mark on ingredients and products made with sustainably grown U.S. soy. “Food companies have an opportunity to promote soy’s health benefits and to inform consumers about their options to meet the recommended guidelines through ingredients and products made with sustainably grown U.S. soy,” added McRoberts. The USDA dietary guidelines are released every five years and provide science-based advice on food and drinks that promote health and prevent disease. They are used to develop the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program and the
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. About United Soybean Board: United Soybean Board’s 78 volunteer farmerdirectors work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds in programs and partnerships to drive soybean innovation beyond the bushel and increase preference for U.S. soy. That preference is based on U.S. soybean meal and oil quality and the sustainability of U.S. soybean farmers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff. For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit unitedsoybean.org.
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Purdue Extension updates guides for fruit, veggie growers From Purdue University
T h e I n d i a n a S o y b e a n A l l i a n c e , w i t h su p p o r t f rom t h e U n it e d Soyb e a n Boa rd an d SYN Law n I nd ia na , i s k i ck i n g o f f a n ew p a r t n e rs h ip wit h t h e I n d ia n apolis Co lts.
U.S. soy turf to cover more ground than ever in 2021 F r o m t h e U. S . S o y b e a n B o a r d S T. LOUIS — T h e Indi an a S oy b e a n A l l i a nce, wi t h s u ppor t fro m t h e U n i t e d S oybe an Boa rd a n d S Y N L awn I n d i a n a , is kicki ng of f a n ew par t n e r s h i p wi t h th e I nd i anapol i s Col t s. T h e p a r t n e rs h ip f eatures s oy- ba cked S Y NL awn a r tifici al g r as s t o be us e d d u r i n g 2 0 2 1 p re- g a me and t r ave l i ng e d u c at i o n a l e xerci se p ro g r am s, wh i ch wi ll b e h e ld o n c e C OVID- 1 9 l i m i t at i o n s e n d . “ S YNLawn i s a l ea der in t h e u s e o f U. S. soy b ean o i l t o of fe r b o t h p e r fo r m a n c e and sus t a i n abi l i t y t o i t s p ro d u c ts,” sai d Uni t ed S oybea n B o a rd D i rec tor J i m Car rol l III, a n A rk a n s a s s oybean f ar m er a n d for m e r U S B C h a ir. “T hrough s oy checko f f f a r m e r investments, U S B ha s col lab o r at e d w i th S YNL aw n t o i n t rodu c e t h e b e n efi ts of U.S . s oy t o t hei r cu s t o m e r s i n d ivers e loc at i o n s r a n gi n g f ro m New Yo rk C i ty to t he Kennedy S p a c e C e n t e r Vi s ito r C omp l e x i n F l or id a . ” T his p ar tner s h i p hel ps f u r t h e r t h e e d u c ati onal e f fo r t s o n t h e m a ny b e n e fi ts of fered by U. S . - g row n s oy b e a n s, a s we l l as the soy ch e cko f f ’s p o s i t ive im pac t on bu i l di n g n ew m a rke t s fo r th e in d ustr y. Par ti ci p ating ch i l dre n a n d a d u lt s w i l l have the o ppor t uni t y t o le a r n ab o ut soy wh i l e e n j oyi ng t h e C o lt s ’ p o pular “Tou chdow n Tow n ” 4 0 - ya rd d a s h across SY N Law n. O n g a m e d ay s a n d a ll year ro u n d, k i ds t h ro u g h o u t th e state wi ll h ave fu n l e a r n i n g ab o u t
fo o t b a ll, fitnes s and s oybeans on the s oy - b a cked s ynthetic g ras s rolled out fo r t h e C olts ’ traveling interac tive fo o t b a ll experienc e. F ro m rooftops to road medians and ro cke t - l aunch viewing s ites, SY N Lawn h a s i n s talled 82 million s quare feet of U. S . s oy -backed g ras s ac ros s 200,000 i n s t a llations in the United States and 1 9 o t h e r c ountries s inc e 2008. For 2021, No r t h A meric a’s larg es t manuf ac turer o f a r t i f ic ial g ras s is s et to add more s oy t h a n ever to its produc ts, which w i ll i n creas e its us e of U.S. s oy by 10 p e rc e n t . “ S Y NLawn is pleas ed to announc e t h at o u r s uc c es s with U.S. s oybean oil w i ll g row in 2021,” s aid SY N Lawn E xe c u t ive Vic e P res ident G eorg e Ne a g le. “T hanks to s trong domes tic as we ll a s inter national demand for our g r a s s, we are experienc ing doubled i g i t m arket g rowth,” added N ea gle. “ We s e e a bright future for our us e of s oy b e a n oil and look forward to furt h e r c o llaboration with U.S. f ar mers o n t h e U nited Soybean B oard.” U s e o f s oybean oil and other plantb a s e d re newable materials qualifies m u lt i p le SY N Lawn produc ts for the U. S . D e p ar tment of Ag ric ulture’s C e r t i f i e d B iobas ed P roduc t label. T h ro u g h their dis plac ement of petroleu m , b i o bas ed produc ts reduc e g reenh o u s e g as ( G HG ) emis s ions that exac e r b at e global climate chang e. “ T h e re are more than 1,000 dif ferent Continued on Page 19
WEST LAFAYETTE — Several updated resources from Purdue Extension will help fruit and vegetable growers stay on top of the latest crop management strategies and research. The 2021 Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers (ID-56) is available online to download for free. This annual guide is a summary of currently suggested vegetable varieties, seeding rates, fertilizer rates, weed control, insect control and disease control measures for commercial growers. The online version found at mwveguide.org is searchable by crop, pest and control measures and is accessible on any platform from smartphone to desktop. The 2021 version of ID-56 will not be offered for sale as hard copies by Purdue Extension. Spirally bound copies of the guide may be ordered. To supplement the guide, producers can subscribe to the Vegetable Crops Hotline. The hotline is updated every two weeks during the growing season with the latest crop management information. Growers may sign up for email notifications for free
or subscriptions for a printed copy for $15 per year. Email notifications will include hot-topic notifications between issues. The Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports are also available for free download. These reports provide yield and quality data based on field test results under different cropping conditions. Reports based on projects in 2020 include variety trial results for asparagus, peppers — bell, specialty, and chile — cantaloupe, pickling cucumber, summer squash and seedless watermelon. Cultural practice trials include no-till sweet corn and pumpkin after winter rye, nitrogen rates for pepper and tomato, and the use of low tunnels and grafting for watermelon production. Reports include work conducted at landgrant universities around the Midwest, including Michigan State University, the University of Minnesota, the University of Wisconsin and Purdue, as well as an independent researcher in Pennsylvania. Reports from previous years are available, and new reports will be added periodically (access reports). New this year, presentations Continued on Page 19
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Fast facts about United States agriculture From the American Farm Bureau
Two million farms dot America’s rural landscape. About 98 percent of U.S. farms are operated by families – individuals, family partnerships or family corporations. One U.S. farm feeds 166 people annually in the U.S. and abroad. The global population is expected to increase by 2.2 billion by 2050, which means the world’s farmers will have to grow about 70 percent more food than what is now produced. About 11 percent of U.S. farmers are serving or have served in the military. Cattle and calves, corn, and soybeans are the top 3 U.S. farm products. 87 percent of U.S. ag products sold are produced on family farms or ranches. Farming accounts for about 1 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. After accounting for input costs, farmers and ranchers receive only 8 cents out of every
dollar spent on food at home and away from home. The rest goes for costs beyond the farm gate: wages and materials for production, processing, marketing, transportation and distribution. In 2018, $139.6 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported around the world. The United States sells more food and fiber to world markets than we import, creating a positive agricultural trade balance. 25 percent of all farmers are beginning farmers (in business less than 10 years); their average
Turf
highlighting several of the variety trial reports are available on the Purdue Extension YouTube channel in the Midwest Vegetable Variety Trial Reports playlist. New resources for high tunnel producers include the High Tunnel Cucumber Production Guide, cucumber grafting fact sheet, and the cucumber grafting video. Entomologists Elizabeth Long and Laura Ingwell have increased their efforts to monitor pests of sweet corn and apples. They also added to the online video resources found on the Purdue Extension Entomology Vegetables playlist on YouTube. Growers also can access the
grow a variety of crops, including 50,000 pounds of strawberries or 2,784 pounds (46.4 bushels) of wheat. Farm programs typically cost each American just pennies per meal and account for less than onehalf of 1 percent of the total U.S. budget. The number of farm operators of Spanish, Hispanic or Latino origin is higher than ever, up 13 percent to 112,451. There also are more African American (45,508, up 2 percent) farm operators. More than half of America’s farmers intentionally provide habitat for wildlife. Deer, moose,
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s oy- b ased p rodu ct s ava i lable o n t h e m a rket tod ay, i n cl u di ng eve r y t h i n g fro m ar ti fi c i a l g r as s t o m a ch i n e r y lu bric ants to t i res and as p h a lt , ” s a i d Jo h n Jansen , US B vi ce pre s i d e n t o f s t rate g i c p ar t n e r shi ps. “ S u p p o r t i n g th e pa r tner shi p bet ween S Y NL awn , In diana S oy be an Al l i a n c e a n d t h e In dianap oli s Col t s de mo n s t r at e s t h e va lue and p o si t ive i mpac t o f i nve s tm e n ts the soy ch e cko f f m a ke s o n b e half of U.S . s oybea n f a r m e r s. ” A c c ord i ng t o a re por t t h e U S DA re l e a sed i n July 2 0 1 9 , bi o b a s e d p ro d u c ts c ontr i bu t e d $ 4 5 9 bi lli o n t o t h e U. S. economy i n 2 0 1 6 ( a 1 7 p e rc e n t in c re ase from 2 0 1 4 ) and s u p p o r t e d , d i rec tly and i n di rect ly, 4 . 6 m i lli o n jo bs. T he re por t ’s re sea rch t e a m e s t i m ate s the re du ct i o n of fo s s i l f u e ls a n d a s s oc i ated G H G em i ss i on s f ro m b i o based p ro duct s i s e qu iva le n t t o ap proxi mate ly 1 2 m i l l i on m e t r i c t o n s o f carbon d i ox i de preven t e d i n 2 0 1 6 . T h e in crease d pro duct i on o f re n ew able chemicals and bi o ba sed p ro d u c t s c o n-
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age is 46. About 8 percent of U.S. farms market foods locally, through direct-to-consumer or intermediated sales. Americans enjoy a food supply that is abundant, affordable overall and among the world’s safest, thanks in large part to the efficiency and productivity of America’s farm and ranch families. The pounds of feed (grain, forage, etc.) a dairy cow needs to eat to produce 100 pounds of milk has decreased by more than 40 percent on average in the last 40 years. One acre of land can
t r i bu t e s to the development and expan-
“Through soy checkoff farmer investments, USB has collaborated with SYNLawn to introduce the benefits of U.S. soy to their customers in diverse locations ranging from New York City to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.” — United Soybean Board Director Jim Carroll III s i o n o f the U.S. bioec onomy — where s o c i e t y looks to a g ric ulture for s us t a i n able s ourc es of fuel, energ y, chemi c a ls a n d produc ts. A d d i t ionally, SY N Lawn’s s oy-backed g r a s s i s recyclable and c ons erves w at e r. I t s us e eliminates emis s ions f ro m lawn mowing and when ins talled o n ro a d medians, workers no long er m ow i n haz ardous loc ations. T he produ c t la s t s for multiple years, which furt h e r c o ntributes to its c os t-ef fec tiven e s s.
...continued from Page 18 2021-22 edition of the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide. The guide is updated every other year to provide the most complete information and recommendations for controlling weeds, diseases and pests of all major fruit crops grown in the Midwest. Printed copies of the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide are $15, and boxes of 10 are available for $135. To supplement the guide, producers can subscribe to the Facts for Fancy Fruit newsletter. To order Purdue Extension resources by phone, call 765-4946794. For more information, visit Purdue Extension’s The Education Store.
fowl and other species have shown significant population increases for decades. One day’s production for a high-producing dairy cow yields 4.8 pounds of butter or 8.7 gallons of ice cream or 10.5 pounds of cheese. Careful stewardship by America’s food producers has spurred a 34 percent decline in erosion of cropland by wind and water since 1982. An any given day, one in eight Americans will eat pizza. Americans throw away an estimated 25 percent of the food they bring home every month.
Farm and ranch families comprise less than 2 percent of the U.S. population. A whopping 40 percent of all food grown and produced in the U.S. is never eaten. Total U.S. corn yield (tons per acre) has increased more than 360 percent since 1950. About 25 percent of U.S. farm products by value are exported each year. Of the 10 percent of disposable income Americans spend on food each year, 46 percent is for food eaten at home and 54 percent is for food eaten away from home. Women make up 36 percent of the total number of U.S. farm operators; 56 percent of all farms have at least one female decision-maker. Independence Day is the top food holiday in the U.S. Americans spend $6.9 billion on July 4th cookouts each year. Many Americans celebrate holidays with food, spending a total of nearly $14 billion each year
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www.thepaperofwabash.com
Barns of Wabash County Drive down any road in Wabash County, and one will likely see more barns than one can count on two hands. They come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and yes, even colors. The days of the red barn are a thing of the past, as they can be found in white, green, blue and other colors. But let’s face it. As nice as the barns look with their fresh coats of paint or metal siding, there is nothing more beautiful than an old, weathered barn. While newer barns are plentiful around Wabash County, so too are the old barns. Driving down the road and seeing these aged beauties standing there, some in disrepair, one must think ... if only those walls could talk.
Text & photos by Joseph Slacian
2021 Spring Farm Tab
March 31, 2021