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>

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> 

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>

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.