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.
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.
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>
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>
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>
"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.
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
· 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:
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
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
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
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>
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.
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.
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>
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.
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>
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