Agriculture and Natural Resources
Compiled by Diane Turner - Hamilton County Educator
Current Purdue Production Newsletters
Inside this issue
- Welcome to the 2016 Season from the New Editor
- Weather Update Winter 2016
- Powdery Mildew of Cucurbits
- Organic Powdery Mildew Control
- Vegetables: An Overview of Production and Economic Significance in Indiana
- The Produce Rule is Here!
- FoodLink is NOW READY for Your Use
- Survey about the Use of Manure and Compost
- Correction of the 2015 Cantaloupe Variety Trial Report in Southwest Indiana
- Upcoming Events
Corn and Soybean Field Guide IPad Apps Available for Download
This useful app includes sections on corn and soybean management, weed ID and control, soils & fertility, sprayer calibration, handy calculators including estimating yield as well as insect and disease sample submission tool for the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory. (see screen shots from app below)
Modern corn hybrids more resilient to nitrogen stress, crowded planting conditions
Modern corn hybrids produce more plant material and take up, on average, the same amount of nitrogen as earlier varieties, in spite of being more crowded and having less nitrogen available per plant, a Purdue University review finds.
In an analysis of 86 field experiments, agronomists found that corn hybrids released after 1990 prove more resilient than their predecessors in multiple ways. Modern hybrids maintain per-plant yield in environments with low nitrogen, can bounce back from mid-season stress and have an improved ability to take up nitrogen after silking, even if they suffered from nitrogen deficiency during flowering. Click here to read the full article.
Growing Hops in Indiana: A Growing Trend
Indiana has over 100 breweries currently operating and plans for another 50 coming soon. The price of hops has continued to steadily increase with the growing craft brewing industry and there are concerns about hop shortages in the future.
Indiana farmers are getting on board to evaluate the potential of hops production locally and we currently have about 25 hops growers across the state. Stayed tuned for more information as I join a group of Purdue Educators and specialty crops professionals during the summer of 2016 to focus on this new Indiana crop.
Upcoming Training Events and Opportunities
Homesteading Workshop Planned for April 2, 2016 - Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds
On-Farm Food Safety for Produce Direct Marketers - Trainings Announced
Growing your own food can be very rewarding, especially when you can profit from it! In 2015, the Food Safety Modernization Act was finalized with recommendations on how to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses from fresh produce.
Purdue Extension - Hamilton County is serving as a host site on April 6th for an interactive webinar focusing on the ins and outs of the recently released guidelines. The interactive webinar will be lead by Scott Monroe, Purdue Extension food safety educator. We will also have an in person training with Marion County Extension Educator - Christina Ferroli discussing the 'home-based vendor' exemption in Indiana Law (HEA 1309) as well as basic food safety guidelines on April 20th.
These sessions will cover basic food safety and good agricultural practices (GAPs) for growers who are not covered by the produce rule. I invite all current and aspiring entrepreneurs who are need of more information for growing and producing safe, high-quality foods. Programs are FREE and will be held at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds in the Annex beginning at 10:00am and ending around 12 noon. Pre-registration is required by emailing Diane Turner or calling 317-776-0854.
Central District Scheduled PARP Trainings
Location: Scott Hall, Johnson Co. Fairgrounds
Date: Wed Mar 16 2016; 9:30 AM to 11:40 AM
Topics: Office of Indiana State Chemist-What we do, what we see; Weeds in Forage; Field Crop Pests
Contact: Sarah Hanson - ANR Educator 317-736-3724
Miami PARP
Location: Community Building, Miami Co Fairgrounds
Date: Thu Mar 17 2016; 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Topics: Sprayer Cleanout; Paraquat Poisoning; Pollinator Habitat Management
Contact: Gary Horner - ANR Educator 765-472-1921
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