December 2003
Welcome to Purdue Agriculture Report, an e-newsletter about research and Extension in the Purdue University College of Agriculture.
Purdue animal sciences puts the animal first
By Victor Lechtenberg, Dean of Agriculture
Recently I received a letter asking the College of Agriculture to stop animal sciences instruction. The author said animal agriculture teaches the wrong lessons about animal use, benefits greedy corporate businessmen and results in human and animal suffering.
From my lifetime association with agriculture, I disagree. The farmers I know put the animal first and try to keep their livestock free from pain, stress and disease – not just for economic reasons, but because it’s the right thing to do. They protect the land because they depend on it for their business – and because they live on it.
There is a connection between the farmer and the land that isn’t accounted for in arguments against good education. And a partnership between agriculture and the land-grant university that is less understood.
Our faculty and scientists are the ones who discover and demonstrate how to raise livestock more humanely. We modify animal diets to reduce potential pollutants in manure and devise production systems to safely handle waste and reduce odor.
Purdue University animal science graduates are trained to operate livestock farms that don’t hurt the environment and produce safe, nutritious meat and dairy products. In reality, we don’t need to teach less animal science. We need to teach more.
Purdue-Soybean Board partnership reaps benefits
Value-added research
finds new uses for soybeans
The Indiana Soybean Board will partner with Purdue University's School
of Agriculture to fund a professorship dedicated to researching new uses
for soybeans.
The Indiana Soybean Board Professor in Soybean Utilization Research will help create value-added products from soybeans through the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. The Soybean Board committed $1.5 million for the endowment, to be paid in installments over the next 10 years. Purdue will match the gift to establish an additional faculty position dedicated to soybean research.
"Our mission is clear – find new ways to make soybean producers more profitable," said Matt Langdon research committee chairman of the Indiana Soybean Board. "Bottom line, we are investing in the future of our industry by supporting a research position that will increase the demand for soybeans." read more
Researchers
develop alternative heating oil using soybean blend
A team of Purdue researchers recently refined a method for producing home
heating oil from a mixture of soybean oil and conventional fuel oil.
This oil blend, called soybean heating oil, can be used in conventional furnaces without altering existing equipment, said Harry Gibson, professor of agricultural and biological engineering and one of the developers of the process. Two Indiana homeowners started using soybean heating oil in their furnaces last winter, he said. read more
Stop to smell
the flowers – but do it before they're pollinated 
A recent Purdue University study has uncovered the processes responsible for shutting down scent production in certain flowers once they've been pollinated – a finding that may help the horticulture industry enhance floral scent.
Natalia Dudareva, associate professor of horticulture, and her colleagues have recently identified the molecular mechanisms that cause petunias and snapdragons to decrease scent production after they've been visited by pollinators such as bees or moths. The researchers also proved that fertilization, the reproductive process that follows pollination, triggers a decline in scent production. In addition, their research has identified a new role for the plant hormone ethylene.
"Until now, nothing has been known about the molecular mechanisms that shut down scent production after pollination," Dudareva said. "This study gives us a better understanding of how plants regulate floral scent production and how to improve floral scent in unscented flowers." read more
Grandparent caregivers face legal, policy issues
More than 2.4 million grandparents provide primary care for their grandchildren, according to recently released data from the 2000 U.S. Census. In many cases grandparents assume care of these children because the parents are unable.
Dena Targ, professor emerita in the Department of Child Development and Family Studies at Purdue University, said parental substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, and incarceration of parents are major reasons grandparents are caring for their grandchildren. She also cited teenage pregnancy, abandonment, HIV/AIDS, mental health problems, unemployment, divorce, poverty and death of a parent as other reasons.
While grandparents bring many strengths to parenting, Targ said they also face many legal and policy challenges.
Some grandparents have informal custody of their grandchildren and aren't recognized as legal guardians. Targ said these grandparents often face problems when they try to register the children for school or obtain medical services. In response, a number of states have passed education and medical consent laws that allow grandparents to seek services for grandchildren in their care. Although informal arrangements can present problems, many grandparents don't want to pursue formal custody. read more
Proper
tree care crucial to safe holiday season
With Christmas just around the corner, many people will begin their search for a fresh tree, but picking one that will look good and last through the holidays involves some work, according to a Purdue University tree expert.
Daniel Cassens, a Purdue Extension specialist and tree farmer, said fresh trees are the best bet for beauty and safety during the holidays. "A fresh tree's branches are not crumpled or drooping, the needles are tight and the color is good," Cassens said. "And a fresh tree isn't dried out so it's more safe." read more
Purdue receives biotech patents from Solae
The Solae Company, an alliance between DuPont and Bunge Limited, is giving Purdue several million dollars worth of technology to produce plant protein-based laundry detergents. Purdue will receive rights to the technology as well as business plans that will allow for the development of a new type of laundry detergent additive that uses plant protein to clean fabrics better, reduce lint formation and allow clothes to last longer.
The university hopes to commercialize the technology within the state of Indiana, as well as use the technology as a starting point for further research. "This gift from The Solae Company provides Purdue with a multitude of opportunities," Purdue University President Martin C. Jischke said. "Not only will the technology provide an advancement in important research in the College of Agriculture, it also will give us the chance to help increase economic growth in the state." read more
Upcoming
Events
Dec.
16-17 — Indiana
Crop Advisor Conference, Indianapolis
Jan.
3 — Hoosier
Sheep Industry Symposium, Noblesville
Jan. 8 — Illiana
Vegetable Growers School, Schererville
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