Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Proper Mineral Management Key to Keeping Cattle Healthy

Beef producers shouldn't overlook proper mineral intake as part of an overall feeding plan, according to a Purdue Extension specialist.

Ron Lemenager, a professor of animal sciences, said minerals are becoming a more important issue as feed options have changed.

"I think we pretty much had minerals taken care of when everyone was feeding corn and hay," Lemenager said. "But then it changed and we introduced by-products like distillers dried grains, corn gluten feed and soybean hulls which changes our supplementation strategy."

If minerals such as copper, zinc, manganese and selenium are out of balance, a cow could have problems with immune function, reproduction, digestion and metabolism, and onset of puberty, among other issues. <Read More>

Upcoming Events - "Getting Started in Vegetable, Fruit, and Specialty Crop Production" Workshop at Hort Congress

Are you interested in growing and marketing fresh fruit, vegetables or other specialty crops locally but are unsure how to get started?  Then plan to attend a special workshop specifically designed to meet the needs of beginning farmers.  Workshop participants will learn what it takes to start and manage a successful specialty crop business.  Extension specialists from Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison will discuss resource assessment, goal setting, financial planning and marketing options.  Growers will also be on hand to share their experiences and answer questions about starting new specialty crop enterprises using a range of different production and direct marketing strategies. 

This workshop is part of the Indiana Horticulture Congress, which will also include more advanced sessions featuring fruit and vegetable production, agritourism, wine and grapes, on-farm food safety, organics, and high tunnel management.  Horticulture Congress is January 17-19 at the Wyndham Hotel in Indianapolis, with the "Getting Started" workshop being held January 17 from 9:00 AM- 5:30 PM EST.  Registration to Hort Congress is required for attendance at the "Getting Started" workshop.  Conference information and registration available here.      

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Upcoming Events - Horticulture Congress Will Educate Fruit and Vegetable Growers

The approaching winter season is the perfect time for Indiana specialty crop growers to learn about industry "hot topics" from Purdue University experts.

The Indiana Horticulture Congress and Trade Show will take place Jan. 17-19 at the Wyndham Indianapolis West, 2554 Executive Drive, Indianapolis. The event includes networking functions and educational workshops dealing with issues such as beginning specialty crop farming, production practices, pest and disease control, marketing, food safety, labor, and production in high tunnels and greenhouses.

"The conference provides three days of educational material to increase the skill levels of fruit and vegetable growers in Indiana and surrounding states," said Jennifer Dennis, Purdue horticulture professor. "Attendees have the chance to learn about trends in the industry from Purdue University Extension educators and faculty."

The trade show is expanding this year to encompass more exhibitors attracted by larger attendance at the Congress, which has surpassed 800 the past two years.

Participants will be introduced to My Local Indiana, a new organization to help consumers find locally grown products while promoting Indiana farms, agritourism, wineries and farmers markets.

Attendees with private applicator permits, which allow growers to use restricted or state-limited herbicides, can participate in the Private Applicator Recertification Program. All permit holders must participate in three recertification programs within five years of receiving their permit. The program will be held 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan.18. There is a $10 fee to receive credits.

Special events will include a silent auction to help support fruit and vegetable Extension activities, a screening of "The Greenhorns," a documentary about beginning farmers and an Indiana Wine Grape reception at which attendees can taste Indiana wines while browsing the trade show.

Apple cider producers can participate in the annual cider contest by submitting two, one-gallon jugs of cider by Wednesday morning of the conference. A consumer panel will judge the ciders, and awards will be given to the makers of the three best ciders in the state.

Registration is due Jan. 9. Hotel rooms should also be booked at the Wyndham by that date to receive special conference rates.

For more information or to register, visit http://www.inhortcongress.org

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Upcoming Events - Conference to Focus on Midwestern Farm Women

The annual Midwest Women in Agriculture conference should help attendees develop new ideas and perspectives on agriculture to take home to their communities.

The conference will be Feb. 29 to March 1 at the Shipshewana Town Center, 760 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, Ind.

"We have returning speakers from last year's conference along with new, exciting speakers that should make for a fun time," said Purdue University Extension educator Elysia Berry, a conference organizer. "Attendees vary from those in agricultural professions to those who have been involved in farming their whole lives, to those just getting started, and there is much to learn for all."

One of this year's keynote speeches is aimed toward women who are searching for living their legacies. In her speech "Bury Me With My Pearls," professional speaker Jane Herlog uses a pearl analogy - cultured, uncultured and the power of the seed pearls - to empower women to handle business and personal challenges with grace and humor.

The other keynote speaker, Pam Boocher, senior marketing associate from Elanco, will explore the benefits of modern, efficient technology used in food production in her speech "What Consumers Want: Technology Fighting for a Change to Feed the World."

Other topics covered at the conference will include farm marketing, estate basics, grain bin safety, depression in women and couponing.

The conference fee is $80 for one day or $90 for both if registered before Feb. 15. After Feb. 15, the cost is $115 for one day or $140 for both days. The fee includes lunch on both days and dinner the first evening. Lodging is not included in the registration fee.

There will be a hotel room block available for conference attendees at Amish Country Inn, 800 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, 260-765-7688. To receive the conference rate, reservations must be made by Feb. 15.

To register or for more information, visit the Purdue University Women in Agriculture website.

'Ugly is as Ugly Does' Applies to Insects

Spiny Katydid
To many people, the term is an apt expression of their feelings regarding the appearance of insects.  I haven’t done a formal survey on the subject, but in my experience people often express their feelings about insects using the words “ugly” and “gross” – especially if the encounter is up close and personal.

To many people, the term is an apt expression of their feelings regarding the appearance of insects.  I haven’t done a formal survey on the subject, but in my experience people often express their feelings about insects using the words “ugly” and “gross” – especially if the encounter is up close and personal. <Read More>  

Weekly Outlook - Continued Weakness in Crop Prices

Crop prices are heading to year-end on a weak note.  Corn prices are near the level that existed in the first week of January and well below the late summer highs.  Soybean prices are well below the level at the start of the year and at the lowest level since early October 2010.  Prices of soft red winter wheat are at the lowest level since July 2010.

The USDA’s monthly report of U.S. and world supply and consumption prospects, released on December 9, underscores the reasons for the current price weakness.  The 2011 U.S. corn and soybean crops were the smallest crops in three years and the wheat crop was the smallest in 5 years, but foreign production of these crops was record large.  The foreign coarse grain crop exceeded the previous record crop of a year ago by 7 percent, foreign wheat production was up by 7.3 percent, and foreign soybean production was 2.4 percent larger than the previous crop. Production prospects also remain favorable for the current southern hemisphere crops.  Combined wheat production in Australia and Argentina is expected to be only about 2.5 percent smaller than last year’s large output.  Combined corn production in South Africa, Argentina, and Brazil is expected to be 11 percent larger than that of 2011, and South American soybean production is expected to increase by 1.5 percent. <Read More>

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Farm Tax Management Webinar Link Now Available

The link to the recorded version of the Income Tax Management for Farmers in 2011 webinar is now available.  If you missed the live version or would like to view all or part of it again, it is available at https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/p78322489/.   The program can be viewed on any computer with high-speed internet access.  Reference material cited in the presentation is available for download at http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/extension/programs/tax_planning.asp

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Indiana Board of Animal Health Office Relocating to Indiana State Fairgrounds

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) central office will be moving to a new location at the Indiana State Fairgrounds the week of December 12.  As a result, callers to the agency may experience some disruption to phone services on December 13 and 14. 
After December 13, the agency’s new address will be:
        
            Indiana State Board of Animal Health
Discovery Hall, Suite 100
            1202 E 38th Street
            Indiana State Fairgrounds
            Indianapolis, IN 46205
All phone numbers will remain the same.  Only the BOAH fax number will change to 317/974-2011.
BOAH will be occupying the newly renovated Discovery Hall, which has historically been known as the “4-H Girls Dorm.”  The agency will be located on the building’s ground floor.

SW Indiana Corn & Soybean Plot Results Available

Results from corn and soybean test plots conducted in Posey and Gibson Counties are now available online

You will find the Posey County corn and soybean test plot results, as well as an identically-planted corn plot in Gibson County.  In addition, we have the Posey and Gibson County corn plot data combined, listing the average of both of these plots together. 

The corn plot in Gibson County experienced a high incidence of green snap.  Therefore, you will see a separate column in the Gibson corn plot results that shows the percentage of the plants that showed some damage.  The Posey plot location did not experience damage from green snap.   

Thanks again to all the cooperators, seed dealers, and Extension Educators who helped with these plots.  See the last page on each of the results for a listing of the seed company contacts. 

Anticipating Crop Prices in 2012

Crop prices during 2011 were influenced by a wide range of factors that resulted in extremely large trading ranges.  The price patterns, however, were very different for corn, soybeans, and wheat.  As the year ends, thoughts turn to likely price levels in 2012.

December 2011 corn futures started the year near $5.50, with the higher trend that began near $4.00 in July 2010 still in place.  The trend continued, although erratically, reaching a peak near $7.80 in late August.  Prices have declined sharply since then, with the December 2011 contract currently only about $.30 higher than at the start of the year.

January 2012 soybean futures started the year just below $13.00, with the higher trend that began near $9.50 in July 2010 still in place.  The price of that contract traded between $12.50 and $14.00 through mid-August, peaked at $14.74 in late August and then plummeted to $11.00 in late November.  That contract is currently trading near $11.40. <Read More>

In the Grow - Q & A

Rosie Lerner, Purdue Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist
shelf fungi (top) and lichens (bottom)

Q. We are enclosing some pictures that we took of some of our trees, which have been attacked by disease. We were wondering if you could tell us what it is and how to treat it. I'm afraid it will spread to our other trees and eventually kill them. The types of trees are maple, apple, oak and poplar. We appreciate any help you can give us.

A. I have good news and bad news. Your trees have two types of growth showing in these photos. The good news is that neither spread to other healthy trees.

More good news is that the flatter, grey-green growth is a colony of lichens - harmless symbiotic (mutually beneficial) organisms composed of a combination of fungi and either algae or cyanobacteria. Together, they live as one organism and are only using the bark of your tree for anchorage; lichens are not parasites. More information on lichens can be found at http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/PPDL/expert/Lichens.html.

Some not-so-good news is that the creamy-colored growth that protrudes a bit from the trunk is called shelf fungus and lives on old, usually decaying, trees. While this fungus does not cause disease itself, it is an indication of serious decay problems below and can further weaken the tree. The fungus is less serious than the principal cause or causes of decay. Affected branches can be pruned out, but there's nothing that can be done when the decay is on the main trunk. The tree can continue to live for quite a few more years, but eventually it will need to be removed.



Norfolk Island pine


Q. I've inherited a distressed Norfolk Island pine. It was in an office, which was very dry, and it had been neglected, even as to its watering. It now is in my living room, and I would like to do what I can to get it back to health. It is sparse from the middle on up. I have removed all of the dead branches. It measures approximately 48 inches from the top of the soil to the top of the branches and measures about 48 inches at its widest point. The pot that it is in is 12x16 inches and does not have any drain holes. It is not full but is very wide. Should I prune the tree? I have attached a picture. What is the best course of care?

A. Unlike many other plants the Norfolk Island pine is not able to replace the gaps in the middle. Any branch that has dropped needles or whole branches that have died will remain bare. So there is no way to prune it that would result in desirable regrowth.

The most immediate need is to repot into a container that allows excess water to drain away from the soil. However, given the bare areas in the middle, you might want to consider either starting over with a new plant or, if you really want to save this particular plant, you might try to root the cut top and discard the bottom. Norfolk Island pine cuttings can only be taken from the top of the central leader stem; cuttings from the lateral branches will not form a new leader.

More information on the care of this plant is at http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/norfolkislandpine.html and on how to take cuttings at http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-37web.html.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Upcoming Events - Farm Tax Management Webinar

Farmers preparing for income tax season will have an additional resource to help them sort through tax codes and changes when Purdue Extension offers a free webinar Dec. 6.

Income Tax Management for Farmers in 2011 will run 8:00-10:00 AM CST and is open to interested farmers. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with presenters and ask questions.

"Farmers need to determine year-to-date receipts and expenses for 2011 while there is still time to make adjustments for the calendar year," said George Patrick, Purdue Extension agricultural economist. "The webinar also will address after-the-end-of-the-year tax alternatives."

Those who derive at least two-thirds of their gross income from farming can file their income taxes by March 1 without having to worry about making estimated tax payments, Patrick said.

He and David Frette, a certified public accountant who works largely with farmers, will lead the webinar.

Some topics include deferred income from sales, prepaid expenses, farm income averaging, crop insurance, casualty losses, self-employment tax updates and tax management.

To participate, go to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/tax/ approximately 10-15 minutes prior to the start time and log in as "Guest".  A high-speed internet connection is required. 

**Note: For those unable to view the program live, it will be recorded for later viewing.  The link to the recorded version will be posted on the Gazette as soon as it is available** 

Tips on Selection and Care of Real Christmas Trees

Coke vs. Pepsi, Leno vs. Letterman, Mac vs. PC, Purdue vs. IU.......real vs. artificial Christmas trees; No matter where you stand on these issues, debate over each usually stirs up controversy and can bring forth strong, unwavering, and sometimes hostile responses from otherwise rational individuals.  With the holiday season upon us, the real vs. artificial debate will likely liven up once again. 

Fans of real trees cite the fragrance, the tradition, and the environmental benefits of a real Christmas tree and the petroleum-consuming blandness of artificial trees.  Artificial tree fans cite the easy, no mess set-up and take-down of an artificial Christmas tree and the dirty, dried-up needles stuck in the carpet that you get with a real tree. 

Regardless of which side of the fence you find yourself with this issue, the fact is many families will head out over the next week in search of the perfect real Christmas tree and those real trees require a little extra effort and a little more attention. Below are links to two Purdue Extension publications that offer tips on selection and care of real Christmas trees to help ensure a happy and safe experience.  And, in the spirit of the holiday season, may we all agree to disagree in the great Christmas tree debate.               

Selecting an Indiana Grown Christmas Tree, FNR-422

Tips for First-Time Buyers of Real Christmas Trees, FNR 423


Conservation Easements Offer Way to Keep Land for Farming

Landowners who want to ensure that their farmland will be farmed for generations to come can consider a conservation easement to limit its future development even if they later sell the land.

A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a land trust, a private, nonprofit organization that works to conserve the land. In this type of agreement, the landowner "gifts" the conservation easement to the land trust. The landowner, in turn, benefits from federal income tax deductions.

"Granting a conservation easement means the development rights for the land have been transferred, by a deed, to an organization qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, such as a land trust," said Gerry Harrison, Purdue Extension agricultural economist. "The organization holding the easement has the responsibility to see that the land is not developed for other than the landowner's retained purposes, such as agricultural production or perhaps some limited structures such as a homestead." <Read More>

December Yard and Garden Calendar

HOME (Indoor plants and activities)
  • Check houseplant leaves for brown, dry edges, which indicate too little relative humidity in the house. Increase humidity by running a humidifier, grouping plants or using pebble trays.
  • Extend the lives of holiday plants, such as poinsettias and Christmas cactus, by placing them in a cool, brightly lit area that is free from warm or cold drafts.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
  • Prevent bark-splitting of young and thin-barked trees, such as fruit and maple trees. Wrap trunks with tree wrap, or paint trunks with white latex (not oil-based) paint, particularly on the south- and southwest-facing sides.
  • Protect shrubs, such as junipers and arborvitae, from extensive snow loads by tying their stems together with twine. Carefully remove heavy snow loads with a broom to prevent limb breakage.
GARDEN (Flowers, vegetables and small fruits)
  • To protect newly planted or tender perennials and bulbs, mulch with straw, chopped leaves or other organic material after plants become dormant.
  • Store leftover garden chemicals where they will stay dry, unfrozen and out of the reach of children, pets and unsuspecting adults. <Read More>

Monday, November 28, 2011

Upcoming Events - "Income Tax Management for Farmers" Webinar

Each year, Purdue Extension and the Purdue Agricultural Economics Department offers Income Tax Management for Farmers, a program covering recent tax law changes and their implications for farmers, farm families, and farm businesses.  As in recent years, the program will be offered as a webinar and will be accessible from anywhere with a high-speed internet connection.  The program is free-of-charge and will be held on December 6 from 8:00-10:00 AM CST.

To view the program remotely, go to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/tax approximately 5-10 minutes prior to the start time and sign in as "Guest".  If you are unable to view the program live, it will be recorded and archived for later viewing.  The link to the recorded program will be posted on the Gazette as soon as it is available.  You may also email me at nheld@purdue.edu for the archived link.  

You Might be an Entomologist If....

Stand up comic and TV personality Jeff Foxworthy made a name for himself with a series of "you might be a redneck" one-liners. You know, things like you might be a redneck if you think a stock tip is advice on worming your hogs.

Like many previous good ideas, nearly everyone and his brother have adapted this one for other uses. Such a joke can be used to describe localities: You might be from a small town if you know all your neighbors and their dogs by name. Or you might be from New England if your Dairy Queen is closed from September through May. <Read More> 

Weekly Outlook - Corn and Soybean Demand and Acreage Prospects for 2012

Corn and soybean prices have declined sharply since the release of the USDA’s November Crop Production report that contained smaller forecasts of the size of the 2011 harvest for both crops.  In addition, the historically strong corn basis has begun to weaken in many markets.

The recent price behavior suggests that the market believes that the combination of very high prices in the late summer and early fall and weaker demand prospects have been sufficient to ration the relatively small crops.  Weaker export demand prospects stem from a combination of increased competition from other exporters and concerns about world economic and financial conditions.  For corn, the competition is from the large corn and wheat crops in 2011 while soybean export demand is being influenced by prospects of another large South American harvest in 2012.  While world financial conditions are deteriorating, the impact on world grain consumption may be over stated.  The record large exports of U.S. pork and beef in the face of record high prices provide evidence that world demand for food remains very strong.  Foreign crop production prospects will dominate the outlook for U.S. crop exports. <Read More>

Monday, November 21, 2011

Upcoming Events - Private Applicator Recertification Program

Training sessions for Private Pesticide Applicator permit holders will be held locally at the following locations:

November 29
6:30 PM CST
Warrick County 4-H Fairgrounds
Boonville

November 30
1:00 PM CST
Spencer County 4-H Fairgrounds
Chrisney

November 30
6:30 PM CST
Perry County 4-H Fairgrounds
Tell City

Topics will include:
Fungicide Use on Corn
Dr. Kirsten Wise, Purdue Extension Field Crop Disease Specialist

Soil and Manure Nutrient Sampling and Analysis

Pesticide Record Keeping
= = =
Please remember to bring $10 and your Private Applicator number to the meeting to receive credit. 

For more information, please contact Nicholas Held, Extension Educator, Spencer County at nheld@purdue.edu or (812) 649-6022. 

Additional training session dates and locations can be found at www.btny.purdue.edu/PPP/PARP/ .


Rain Gardens Go with the Flow

Rain gardens are areas of the landscape designed to catch rainwater long enough to allow it to percolate slowly back into the groundwater rather than run off the soil. Rain gardens help recharge groundwater, improve the water quality of streams and rivers, reduce flooding, and provide cover for wildlife and butterflies.

Rain gardens can be just shallow depressions of a few inches or elaborately constructed sites, depending on available space and needs of the site. The garden's topography should be designed to encourage water flow into the garden. The site must drain well enough to allow slow and steady percolation into the groundwater. Soil drainage can be greatly enhanced by additions of finished compost in preparing the area. <Read More>

Hogs: 2012 The Best Year in High-Priced Feed Era

The pork industry is expected to have a profitable year in 2012! In fact, the level of profitability could be the most favorable during the high priced feed era. Profits in 2012 are currently forecast to be near $17 per head, which would be the highest since 2006.  That was the last year of the low feed price era when corn prices received by farmers averaged about $2.30 per bushel for the calendar year and estimated hog profits were $27 per head.

While a return to profitability is welcome news, there are deeper and more important implications. The first is that the pork industry, like most other animal industries, has made the adjustments necessary to live in a world of high priced feed. The second is that the pork industry probably has “turned the corner” on high feed prices as one looks to 2012 with abundant and cheap feed wheat, prospects for moderation in the rate of growth in corn use for ethanol, the potential for a larger South American soybean crop, and hope for a return to higher U.S. corn and soybean yields. <Read More>

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Post-harvest, Farmers Have Lots of Work Ahead

As farmers wrap up harvesting corn and soybeans across the Eastern Corn Belt, the work is just getting started on many farms, with fertilizer, herbicide and tillage applications planned in the waning weeks of productivity for 2011.

"As we finish harvesting soybeans, farmers have started putting on phosphorus and potassium, mostly during the past two weeks," said Harold Watters, an Ohio State University Extension educator with Extension's Agronomic Crops Team. "Custom applicators were ready to go into the field for a long time, and we are glad to finally see them moving." <Read More> 

Cut Back Perennials Now or Later

Rosie Lerner, Purdue Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist

Gardeners often ask, "When is the best time to cut back the dead tops of herbaceous perennials (stems die back to the ground each year)?" "Should we cut them in fall as the tops fade?" "Or wait until spring just before new growth begins?" The answers depend, in part, on the specific plant and whether disease or insect pests are a factor.

For most healthy plants, leaving plant tops over winter is fine and, in many respects, preferable. Many species retain dried seed heads and foliage that may have aesthetic value. Ornamental grasses are at their best in fall and winter.

And, if you don't cut back the tops, your native wildlife will thank you! Seed heads, fruits, stems and foliage provide food and shelter. Although late-season bloomers, such as brown-eyed Susans and coneflowers, may have turned brown, birds still feed on the seed. Many butterflies overwinter on plant debris.

Allowing plant tops to remain over winter can also help collect leaves and snow for insulation and moisture. For some marginally hardy perennials, like garden mums, waiting until early spring to cut back the dead tops can actually improve a plant's chances of survival.

And, of course, leaving the tops in place will remind you where the plants are, in case you're thinking of adding more plants or rearranging the elements of the garden before spring growth begins.

On the other hand, plants with disease or insect pest troubles should be pruned back in fall to reduce the chances of carryover to the following season. Sanitation is one of the best investments gardeners can make in reducing problems for next season. Peonies and Rudbeckia with blackened foliage should definitely be cut back in fall. The same is true for bee balm and phlox, which are routinely plagued by powdery mildew. Removing iris and asparagus foliage in the fall reduces overwintering sites for the iris borer and asparagus beetles, respectively.

Badly damaged or infested foliage can and should be removed as soon as possible. Otherwise, wait until after several hard frosts have killed back the tops. Cut back the tops to about two inches above the soil. Hand pruners and hedge clippers work fine, if you have just a few plants to cut back. But for larger plantings and large clumps of ornamental grasses, a power hedge trimmer works well.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Soil Testing for Lawns

Nicholas Held, Extension Educator, Spencer County

By this time of year, most lawns have seen their last mowing and last fertilization of the season and, with the exception of raking a few remaining leaves, there aren’t too many lawn tasks left to finish.  One task that can still be done is soil testing.  Testing the soil in the fall will allow plenty of time to get the results back and plan any fertilizer applications or other soil amendments before spring. 

Periodic testing of soil will help determine what the soil needs to nourish healthy turf and fertilizer applications should not be made without periodic soil testing.  Soil scientists recommend testing the soil in your lawn every 3 to 5 years.  Soil testing bags and forms are available at Extension Offices throughout Indiana.  

The following are some tips on soil testing and some explanations of soil testing terms:

Taking a Soil Sample
·         Contact your county Cooperative Extension office or soil testing lab for the fee structure, mailing containers, and other information.
·         Using a small shovel or soil probe, sample to a 3-inch depth.
·         Take approximately 10 to 15 samples per lawn and remove thatch and live plant material.
·         Combine the samples to make one composite sample.  Do not mix soils of different texture and color, from areas differing sharply in elevation, or from disturbed sites and undisturbed sites.
·         Air dry the sample before sending.

The Soil Test Report
After processing your soil sample, the soil test lab will send you a soil test report.  The following are usually included in the report:

Soil pH - A soil pH indicates whether the soil is acidic, alkaline, or neutral.  The concentration of soil nutrients will vary depending on the soil pH.  A soil pH below 6.0 indicates an acidic soil and a lime application may be recommended.  DO NOT APPLY LIME UNLESS IT IS RECOMMENDED.  Most Indiana soils under turfgrass do not need liming.

If the soil pH ranges from 6.0 to 7.5, it is unnecessary to adjust the pH.  This is the optimum pH range for turfgrass growth.  For a pH above 7.5 (rarely a problem in this area), there is no practical or economically feasible soil amendment for a lawn.  To compensate for a high pH, increase the annual nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium applications by 25 percent.     

Phosphorus (P) - The soil test results represent the amount of phosphorus available to the plants from the soil.  Phosphorus deficiencies are rarely observed in established turf in Indiana, except on soils with very high pH.  When establishing or renovating an area, a phosphorus application will help establish seedlings.  A fertilizer high in phosphorus (also called a "starter fertilizer") should be used for this application and should be applied at 1.5 pounds P2O5 /1000 ft2.

Potassium (K) - The soil test results represent the amount of potassium that is available to the turfgrass plant. Potassium deficiencies are rare in turf in Indiana soils except possibly on coarse-textured, sandy soils. Muriate of potash (0-0-60) can be used to increase soil potassium levels.  Muriate of potash can burn leaf blades, so apply in cool, dry weather and water the area soon after application. 

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) - This number represents a measure of your soil's capacity to hold nutrients; the higher the CEC, the more fertile the soil.  It is used by the soil test laboratories in making certain nutrient recommendations for your lawn.  The cation exchange number of an established lawn will not change significantly with time.  In addition, it cannot be adjusted by adding fertilizer or chemicals.

Nitrogen - There is no reliable soil test for nitrogen.  Therefore, other factors should be considered in planning a nitrogen program.  The nitrogen program is the key to a successful turfgrass fertility program.  For more information on nitrogen applications, see Purdue Extension Publication AY-22, Fertilizing Established Lawns.

Corn and Soybean Prices Continue to Struggle

Corn prices have traded in a sideways pattern since mid-October, but are currently in the lower end of the recent range.  Soybean prices have trended lower over the past month, with January futures now back near the early October lows.

Corn prices received little support from last week’s USDA Crop Production report containing a lower forecast for the size of the U.S. crop.  The U.S. average corn yield is projected at an 8 year low of 146.7 bushels, 1.4 bushels below the October forecast.  The potentially positive price impact of that reduction was muted by USDA’s judgment that feed and residual use of corn will only reach 4.6 billion bushels during the current marketing year, 100 million below the October forecast.  The forecast is 192 million bushels below the surprisingly small estimate for the previous marketing year. <Read More>

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Lower Corn Prices, Strong Beef Market Drive Calves to Feedlots

Cattle producers are likely to use more corn than previously expected according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest Cattle on Feed report.

The implication of the October 21 report is that feed grains used by cattle in feedlots from the 2011 crop will be more than 5 percent higher than what was fed from the 2011 crop.

"The real surprise was the higher number of placements in September that resulted in more than one-half million more cattle being fed than a year ago," said Purdue Extension agricultural economist Chris Hurt.  Calves can eat corn, but also can add weight with forages. However, according to Hurt, the high number of feedlot placements in September serves as an indication that corn has become "cheap" relative to forages. <Read More> 

Poor Forage Quality Requires Solid Nutrition Management

Concerned with forage quality, particularly over late-made first cutting hay, an Ohio State University Extension specialist said farmers need to diligently manage livestock nutrition needs this fall and winter.
"We have pretty good forage quantity, but what is going to hurt us is the quality," said Rory Lewandowski, an educator with the Extension Beef Team. "Most of southeastern Ohio is going to be in that situation, because we had decent amounts of hay in terms of tonnage, but the quality, especially of that first cutting, is going to present a problem." <Read More>

Monday, November 7, 2011

Upcoming Events - Sheep and Goat Webinar Series

Learn more about sheep and goat production through a webinar series sponsored by Purdue Extension, Kentucky State University, and University of Kentucky.

This is a two-part series that will focus on kidding care and birthing in does and ewes, feeding, management, marketing, and economic projection issues in raising goats. Goat production numbers are rising in Indiana and Kentucky. According to the USDA 45,000 goats are raised in Indiana and 87,000 in Kentucky.

The webinar sessions will be held on two consecutive Wednesday nights starting on November 30 from 6:00-8:00 PM CST (7:00-9:00 PM EST).

Session 1 on November 30, concerns Kidding and Kid Care and will feature Dr. Kenneth Andries, Kentucky State University; and Dealing with Difficult Births in Does and Ewes by Endre Fink, University of Kentucky.

Session 2 on December 7, features teaching about Feeding and Management Tips to Reduce Input Costs for Sheep & Goat Producers led by Dan Morrical, Extension Sheep Specialist, Iowa State University; and Marketing and Economic Projections for Sheep and Goat Producers for 2012 and Beyond by Erica Rosa-Sanko, Agriculture Economist, Livestock Marketing Information Center.

This webinar series will be viewable at many locations across Indiana, including Dubois County (812-482-1782) and Warrick County (812-897-6101).  The series is free-of-charge, however pre-registration is required by November 23.  Please contact the host site you plan to attend to register.  A program brochure listing all viewing sites is located here

In The Grow - Q & A

Q. Do you think some suckers should be taken off tomato plants? I say yes; my son says no. I take off the first three from the bottom of my plant.

Q. We live a few miles north of West Lafayette. We purchased four Korean boxwoods, intending to plant this summer, but an unexpected waterline problem means we will not be able to plant them this season. They are still in their plastic tubs. Must we plant them here temporarily, or can we store them over the winter in their tubs in a basement or unheated outbuilding? And what about watering?

Q. I have a poinsettia that I planted outside after frost this spring on the north side of my house. It grew as big as a bushel basket. I dug it up and brought it inside. Now, how can I get it to bloom for Christmas?

For answers to these questions, click here.

Weekly Outlook - Soybean Export Progress

Since the first of October, November 2011 soybean futures have traded in a range of $1.20, with a high of $12.72.  The price of that contract is currently about in the middle of the recent trading range and $2.50 below the contract high reached on August 31.

A number of factors have contributed to the lower prices since August and to the weakness since mid-October.  These factors include early forecasts of another large South American soybean harvest in 2012.  That forecast has been supported by generally favorable weather conditions in Brazil and Argentina in the early part of the planting and growing season.  A slow start to the 2011-12 marketing year domestic soybean crush and lagging soybean oil export sales have also contributed to the negative tone. <Read More>

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Comment Period Extended for Proposed Farm Youth Labor Regulation Changes

The U.S. Department of Labor announced last week an extension of the public comment period for proposed changes to the regulations governing employment of youth on farms and agricultural enterprises.
Experts from Ohio State University Extension's Agricultural Safety and Health program will host a webinar to discuss the proposed changes and answer questions from the public Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m.

"The proposed changes to the Agricultural Child Labor Laws are bringing about many questions for safety professionals, agricultural businesses who hire youth, and agricultural educators who teach farm safety to youth audiences," said Dee Jepsen, program leader and assistant professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. "Due to the impact this topic will make on many small farms and agribusinesses, the public comment period has been extended for another 30 days." <Read More>

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Friends of Spiders Please Stand Up

Most people don't harbor fond feelings for the creatures known as spiders. In fact, as a group, spiders are probably the least-liked of all arthropods. And that is saying something. None of the other common arthropods - insects, ticks, mites, scorpions, lobsters, crayfish and pillbugs - rank very high on the human likeability scale either. <Read More>

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Evergreen Needles Don't Last Forever

Rosie Lerner, Purdue Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist

Evergreens provide green color all year long but that doesn't mean that the individual needles live forever. Evergreens shed their older needles to make room for new growth, but what makes them evergreen is that they retain some foliage all year long instead of shedding all of the leaves at once.

Evergreen needles have varying life spans, depending on the species. Arborvitae and pine needles live for 2 years while spruce needles live 3-10 years. Some species of evergreens have a more noticeable leaf drop than others. In autumn, arborvitae and white pine will drop their 2-year old needles all at once, which can be quite alarming if you don't realize that it's perfectly normal.

On other species, needle drop occurs gradually with a small number of needles falling at one time. The older needles of yew shrubs will turn yellow and drop in late spring or early summer. Broad-leaved evergreens such as rhododendrons drop their 2- to 3-year-old leaves in late summer and early fall.

The hot, dry weather experienced over much of the region appears to be causing many plants to drop needles early. Inner and lower needles that are hidden from light are usually the first to drop. Pruning excess growth and dead limbs can help open the plant to more light. But for most plants, there's no need to worry; they are just doing what comes naturally.

Harvesting, Drying, and Storing the 2011 Corn Crop

High temperatures and lack of rain this past summer have taken a toll on a portion of Indiana's 2011 corn crop. Some regions of the state are reporting that corn is more susceptible to lodging than usual and there are also reports of poor kernel fill and small kernels. Higher moistures and poor kernel development can mean lighter test weight corn and/or grain storage challenges for some farmers and elevators. More detailed information on drying low test weight corn and properly managing foreign material can be found on Purdue's Grain Quality website http://www.grainquality.org under the Extension Publications tab on the left side of the screen (for example, see GQFS-27 found under Extension Publications, Grain Drying, Conditioning and Aeration). Below is a summary of basic principles along with some references to specific publications. <Read More>

Weekly Outlook - Crop Prices Treading Water

Following wide swings in September and early October, the prices of corn, soybeans, and wheat have traded in relatively narrow ranges in the last half of October.  Narrow trading ranges reflect the lack of new information and, in some cases, conflicting demand indicators.

Since October 12, December 2011 corn futures have traded in a range of about $.40, with a high near $6.65.  That contract is now about $1.40 below the late August high.  Basis levels remain generally strong and are at record levels for this time of year in some markets.  Demand news tends to be mixed for corn.  Ethanol production since September 1 has been near the level of a year ago, suggesting corn consumption in that market remains at record levels.  Spot market margins for ethanol producers have increased sharply since reaching record low levels in June.  Calculated margins are near the highs reached in 2007.  Declining corn prices and higher ethanol prices have both contributed to the improved margins.  Ethanol production looks to be large for the next two months, with more uncertainty in 2012 after the blender’s tax credit expires. <Read More>

Friday, October 28, 2011

Corn Molds of Little Concern in 2011, Despite Weather

As the tough 2011 cropping year draws to a close, farmers can take solace in knowing that despite unfavorable weather conditions, corn molds don't seem to be of widespread concern, says a Purdue University plant pathologist.

Summer drought often leads to Aspergillus ear rot infections in corn, which produces aflatoxin - a carcinogen and liver toxin that affects livestock. Luckily, it doesn't look like most farmers will have to worry too much about it. <Read More>

November Yard and Garden Calendar

HOME (Indoor plants and activities)
  • As houseplant growth slows, apply less fertilizer and water.
  • If plants are dropping many leaves, move them closer to sunny exposures, such as west- and south-facing windows. Artificial lights may be needed to supplement particularly dark rooms.
  • Pot spring-flowering bulbs with tips exposed to force into bloom indoors. Moisten soil and refrigerate 10 to 13 weeks. Transfer to a cool, sunny location, and allow an additional three to four weeks for blooming.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
  • Prevent rabbit and rodent feeding damage by erecting physical barriers, such as metal mesh (one-fourth inch) hardware cloth. Pull mulch a few inches away from the trunk, as the mulch provides a warm winter home for rodents. Chemical repellents also are available, but their effectiveness is temporary and not foolproof.
GARDEN (Flowers, vegetables and small fruits)
  • If frost hasn't taken your garden yet, continue harvesting.
  • Harvest mature green tomatoes before frost, and ripen indoors in the dark. Store at 55-70 F. The warmer the temperature, the faster they ripen.
  • Harvest root crops and store in a cold (32 F), humid location. Use perforated plastic bags as an easy way to increase humidity. <Read More>

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Cattle Can Eat Corn Too

Cattle feeders are going to use more corn than previously expected according to USDA’s latest Cattle on Feed report that showed five percent more cattle in the nation’s feedlots. The real surprise was the higher number of placements in September that has resulted in over one-half million more cattle being fed than a year ago. Feed grains used by cattle in feedlots from the 2011 crop will now likely be more than five percent higher than was fed from the 2010 crop. <Read More>

Saving Seeds from the Garden

Collecting seeds from garden plants to plant next year may seem like a good way to save money, but you may be in for a surprise. Some seeds can be saved from year to year with good results, particularly the old-fashioned cultivars. But modern hybrid cultivars rarely breed true from collected seed. <Read More> 

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Weekly Outlook - Corn and Soybean Consumption

Darrel Good
Agricultural Economist
University of Illinois
With the USDA’s October Crop Production report, corn and soybean supply forecasts for the 2011-12 marketing year are likely close to the final estimates.  Prices will be primarily influenced by the current rate of consumption and expectations about consumption during the remainder of the marketing year.  The actual rate of consumption will be revealed sporadically, and in some cases, slowly.  Expectations about future consumption will likely vary widely.....<Read More>

Monday, October 17, 2011

Home Invaders of the Six-legged Kind

Dr. Tom Turpin
Professor of Entomology
Purdue University

It happens every year about this time. I refer of course to the arrival of fall. It is an appropriately named season. Leaves fall from trees. Football teams fall from the ranks of the unbeaten. Nuts, apples and acorns fall from their nurturing boughs. Petals fall from the last flowers. And temperatures fall from the highs of summer. All of this falling stuff means that winter is on the way.....  <Read More >

Purdue Extension-Spencer County Launches Farm, Home, and Garden Gazette

Welcome to the Farm, Home, and Garden Gazette, an online publication of the Purdue Extension Service of Spencer County.  The intent of this publication is to provide research-based, timely, and up-to-date news articles, announcements, and resources to the residents of Spencer County and beyond.  This publication does not replace our regular Extension newsletter, mailed every-other month to over 820 households.  Instead, the Farm, Home, and Garden Gazette is a supplement to the newsletter and provides an additional way to reach you with agricultural, horticultural, and consumer news and information in a conveniently accessible form.