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 AgComm
News Purdue Extension Purdue
Agriculture Purdue University 
Jay Akridge Olivia Maddox Cherryl Frederick  Agricultural Communication |
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September / October 2009 Welcome to Purdue Agriculture Report, an e-newsletter for business and community leaders on research, academics and Extension across Indiana and around the globe. The economy still captures headlines Purdue University, Dow AgroSciences and the state of Indiana recently announced a new partnership that has the potential to not only build on our already strong relationship with Dow Agro, but also to create some innovative new collaborations with scientists across the campus. With a new research and greenhouse facility to be built in the Purdue Research Park, we hope to create even more exciting opportunities for students and faculty and contribute to discoveries that will benefit producers. (See the story below for more information on this partnership.) The economy is still capturing headlines in Indiana and around the nation. We included several articles in this issue that focus on various aspects of how the economy affects everything from food prices to farmland values. Purdue experts continue to provide insights to help consumers, farmers and agribusinesses weather these difficult times. Dow AgroSciences, Purdue, IEDC partner for life sciences venture at Purdue Research Park
A key development in the life sciences arena was announced today as part of a new agricultural collaboration involving Dow AgroSciences, Purdue University and the state of Indiana. Dow AgroSciences will become a key tenant at the Purdue Research Park. In addition, a $2.2 million greenhouse research center will be constructed. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. will support the Purdue Research Foundation with a grant to assist in development costs. Up to 30 scientists will be working in the facilities as part of this collaboration over the next three years, with up to an additional 18 contract research workers to be hired from the surrounding community. Researchers from Dow AgroSciences will have access to the Purdue College of Agriculture's research facilities. Research will focus on biotechnology innovation and discovery. "As a land-grant university, Purdue has a long, rich history in agricultural and life sciences research with innovative faculty and strong outreach programs through our Extension offices and other projects," said Purdue President France A. Córdova. "The Dow AgroSciences project is a perfect example of how our collaborations with industry and the state can generate new research that will ensure Indiana maintains its leadership in agricultural sciences."
Economy, lower commodity prices slowing food cost growth After a couple years of above average food price inflation, a Purdue University economist believes the inflation rate will return to normal next year. Corinne Alexander, an agricultural economist, estimated 2010 food prices would increase between 2.5 percent and 3.5 percent, not near the records that were set in 2008 of 5.5 percent. The 10-year average for food-price inflation for 1997 to 2006 is about 2.5 percent, she said. "One reason we're not seeing prices go up so much right now is we had a massive recession that caused people to cut back." Alexander said that in July of this year, the cost of food purchased for the home decreased 0.9 percent over the same month last year, much lower than usual and lower than the September 2008 peak of 7.6 percent. Food purchased away from home, such as in restaurants, increased 3.2 percent this past July over the same month last year. That was about average, and lower than the December 2008 high of 5 percent.
Virtual field trip connects students with Purdue scientists Thousands of Indiana middle school students visited Purdue University from their desks on Sept. 17. Thanks to the Internet, videoconferencing technology and Indiana Public Broadcasting stations, more than 7,500 sixth-graders at 100-plus schools and home schools watched and interacted with scientists from Purdue Agriculture and the university's School of Veterinary Medicine. "We're All Animals" was the first Purdue zipTrips electronic field trip. During the 45-minute live program, students learned about comparative biology and how it applies to humans and animals. "ZipTrips is intended to expose students to science in a fun and engaging way," said Jamie Loizzo, zipTrips project manager. Schools benefit, as well, she said. "The idea is to give students real-world examples of what a job in science may look like, spark their interest and encourage them to consider a science career in the future." For additional information about zipTrips and to preview a live show, visit the zipTrips Web site.
Soybean oil blend works well as fuel for home furnaces A blend of degummed soybean oil and No. 2 fuel oil can be used as an alternative heating fuel and reduce sulfur emissions, according to a Purdue University scientist. Klein Ileleji, an assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering, tested blends of 20 percent, 50 percent and 100 percent degummed soybean oil – an unrefined and cheaper product to produce than soy methyl esters, commonly known as biodiesel – and found that the 20 percent blend didn't degrade a home furnace's parts or heat output. The only issue found with the 20 percent blend was a slight early degradation of the furnace's seals and gaskets, which manufacturers could fix by switching to a higher quality product. "Overall, using 20 percent degummed soybean oil, you can get by using existing furnace designs," Ileleji said. "You can use a 20 percent blend without changing your combustion system, and you will not be changing its performance. What you will be getting is the benefit of lower sulfur emissions, which is good for the environment." Indiana farmland values and cash rents down slightly, survey shows Indiana farmland values dropped slightly but held their own in a tumbling economy, according to the 2009 Indiana Farmland Values and Cash Rents Survey completed by Purdue University. The survey, conducted each June by the agricultural economics department, reports that the value of top-quality farmland in Indiana declined 0.2 percent from 2008 numbers, while average- and poor-quality farmland declined by 1.2 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively. Craig Dobbins, Purdue Extension farmland economics specialist, said he was surprised that farmland values were not down more than they were. "I expected the drop in grain prices and higher input costs would lead to a fairly significant drop in farmland values," said Dobbins, who conducted the survey. "But farmland real estate is often seen as a strategy to hedge against inflation, so we may have some of that coming into play here." Results from the survey and a full report are available online at http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/extension/pubs/paer/2009/august/dobbins.asp
Model backs green tea and lemon claim, lessens need to test animals An animal study at Purdue University has shown that adding ascorbic acid and sugar to green tea can help the body absorb helpful compounds and also demonstrates the effectiveness of a model that could reduce the number of animals needed for these types of studies. Mario Ferruzzi, associate professor of food science and nutrition, adapted a digestion model with human intestinal cells to show that adding ascorbic acid to green tea would increase the absorbability of catechins found in the tea. Catechins, a class of polyphenols common in tea, cocoa and grape, are antioxidants thought to fight heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and other health problems. "This model may be used as a pre-emptive screening tool at very little cost before you do expensive tests on animals or humans," said Ferruzzi. "If you want to get human screening off the ground, it takes months. If you want to use this model, it takes hours."
Online courses help businesses, faith groups prepare for H1N1 A severe outbreak of H1N1 flu this fall and winter could cripple businesses and houses of worship that don't plan for such a health emergency. Two online resources available through the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) can help these two community pillars stay standing during a flu pandemic. "Pandemic Influenza Preparedness for Business" and "Pandemic Influenza Preparedness for Faith-Based Organizations" are free courses that can be taught to employees and church personnel by in-house instructors. Developed in part by Purdue University's EDEN representatives Steve Cain and Abigail Borron, the courses can be downloaded at http://www.eden.lsu.edu/LearningOps/Pandemic/ (business course) and http://www.eden.lsu.edu/LearningOps/FBO (faith-based course). "We know from experience that businesses and faith-based organizations are critical to helping communities survive a disaster of any kind," said Steve Cain, EDEN's Purdue-based homeland security project director. Purdue center starts up to help small, medium food processors Purdue University rolled out a new Web site in September to help small- and medium-sized food processors comply with environmental regulations. The Food Processing Environmental Assistance Center's Web site, http://www.fpeac.org, is an all-encompassing source for small- and medium-sized food processors on environmental regulations. It contains federal and state regulations and publications aimed at helping processors address environmental issues related to their businesses. "Large food processors have full-time staffs devoted to these regulations and activities," said Kevin Keener, director of the center and Purdue associate professor of food science. "The small- and medium-sized processors don't. This is their resource." The Web site is just the first step. In the future, the center will offer technical services to processors.
Pork handbook offers new resources to swine producers The 2009 Pork Industry Handbook is now being sold through Purdue Extension -- The Education Store. The handbook, in its third edition, is a cooperative effort of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, Pork Checkoff and the U.S. Pork Center for Excellence. It has new content, including industry statistics and historical data, and new information on human resources, swine welfare, genetics, environmental stewardship and worker health. "The Pork Industry Handbook covers all aspects of pork production -- from conception to products -- and it includes the most current and up-to-date information available," said Alan Sutton, Purdue Extension swine specialist. More information on the handbook is available at http://www.extension.purdue.edu/store/2009_PIH_order_form.pdf. Ag outlook meetings give insight to what's in store for 2010 Farmers, landowners, lenders and agribusiness managers are invited to attend a Purdue Agriculture Outlook Update meeting in one of 41 counties on dates from October through December. "The outlook meetings are designed to preview the economic situation for agriculture in 2010," said Chris Hurt, a Purdue University agricultural economics professor. "The intent is to help inform managers so they can make better business decisions." The recession has reduced the demand for agricultural products and led to lower farm and agribusiness incomes, Hurt said. During the meetings, he will address the recession, recovery strength and impact on the agricultural sector. Upcoming Events
Oct. 7-8, 19-20, 28-29: Wildlife Management Training Workshops October 8: Starting A Specialty Food Business Workshop November 4-5, 12-13, 16-17, 19-20, 23-24; Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 3-4: Purdue Income Tax Schools Click here for more information on upcoming events |
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