Agriculture and Natural Resources
Complied by Diane Turner - Hamilton County Educator
Fall Fieldwork Wraps Up - Weekly Crop Report
Find the updated crop report for Indiana by clicking Indiana Crop Report - Nov. 30, 2015. Information is provided by Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
This issue concludes the weekly reports for the 2015 season. From this point forward we will be releasing monthly crop weather reports on these following dates:
Monday, January 4, 2016
Monday, February 1, 2016
Monday, February 29, 2016
Monday, March 28, 2016
Regular weekly reports will resume in April 2016.
Indiana Corn, Soybean Farmers Support New Facility at Purdue
Two groups representing Indiana corn and soybean farmers are making a $4 million investment in automated plant phenotyping research and education to further Purdue University's innovative work in plant sciences.
The Indiana Soybean Alliance will provide $1 million in soybean checkoff funds to buy equipment for the new automated plant phenotyping facility at the Purdue Agronomy Center for Research and Education, and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council will provide the same amount in corn checkoff funds to support the facility’s construction. An additional $1 million from each organization will be placed into two endowments to fund in perpetuity corn and soybean research related to plant phenotyping and technology innovation.
The support for plant phenotyping - identifying and measuring plant characteristics - was announced Monday (Dec. 7) at a celebration event at ACRE. The facility, now under construction, is scheduled to open next spring. Click here for the full article from AgAnswers
Growing Hops in Indiana
If you are thinking about or already growing hops, Purdue has resources to assist you. Check out this webpage for publications, Purdue researchers, and other resources from Purdue to help Hoosier grow hops. Below - Hops Photo Credit: Purdue Extension ID-462-W
*New Publication* Tips for Environmentally Friendly Phosphorus Applications
Take a moment to check out the recently released Extension publication AY-386 entitled “Tips for Environmentally Friendly Phosphorus Applications in Indiana” authored by Martha Winters and Tony Vyn. The information discusses the use of phosphorus in terms of the 4R principles – Right rate, Right source, Right time and Right placement.
This publication is a helpful resource to use in relation to information on soil health and water quality. Click here to take a look.
*New Publication* on Cover Cropping for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects
Available for free as either a download or in print, Cover Cropping for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects helps farmers make thoughtful changes in cover crop selection and management that support pollinators along with their other goals, such as suppressing weeds, managing nitrogen and improving soil health.
Pollinators provide a critical service in food production. As honey bees continue to suffer from Colony Collapse Disorder, providing pollinators with a healthy on-farm environment is essential. In October, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced $4 million in assistance for Midwestern farmers to plant bee-friendly cover crops, wildflowers and native grasses to help ensure farm productivity. Click here for your free copy.
Upcoming Training Events and Opportunities
Click on the link below to view all the PARP programs listed across the state.
About Diane Turner
Email: turnerda@purdue.edu
Website: https://extension.purdue.edu/hamilton
Location: 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville, IN, United States
Phone: 317-776-0854