September 2003

Welcome to Purdue Agriculture Report, an e-newsletter about research and Extension in the Purdue University College of Agriculture.

Purdue Agriculture is committed to being a strong partner in the alliance, and we see our role as two-fold. We will continue to provide education to advance the industry, improve regulatory processes and meet consumer demands. We also will conduct research to solve technical problems, increase profits and protect our natural resources.

The Hoosier state benefits greatly from a healthy and prosperous livestock industry. With help, this industry has the potential to become an even greater economic benefit for the state.

Purdue Agriculture, through our Extension and research outreach efforts, will continue to provide information necessary to help our producers, regulators and citizens make good choices for animal agriculture and the economic enhancement of Indiana.

Related Link: Purdue Department of Animal Sciences

Emerald ash borer found two miles from Indiana border

An aggressive beetle that destroys ash trees is creeping closer to Indiana, and two Purdue University experts say it may already be here, based on a recently confirmed sighting in Ohio.

Cliff Sadof, a Purdue Cooperative Extension Service entomologist, said the discovery of the emerald ash borer in northeastern Indiana is "imminent." The beetle was recently found in Defiance County, Ohio, just two miles from the Indiana border. It's also been found in several counties in Michigan and one additional county in Ohio.

"Although every effort has been made to contain the insect, it certainly appears to be on its way to Indiana," said Jodie Ellis, a Purdue Extension entomologist and invasive pest educator. "When you consider that we have 147 million ash trees in Indiana, this is bad news for Indiana homeowners as well as the recreational, timber, horticulture, and nursery and landscape industries in the state." read more

Agricultural and biological engineering tops in nation

Purdue University's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering is ranked first in the nation for its undergraduate agricultural engineering program, according to U.S. News and World Report magazine's annual rankings released Aug. 22.

The ranking for specialty programs, such as agricultural engineering, is based on a survey of educators at schools of engineering across the country. The magazine, in its spring 2003 edition, also ranked Purdue's agricultural and biological engineering graduate program second nationally.

"These rankings tells us that, in the collective opinion of the nation's engineering leadership, this department is the best," said Larry Huggins, associate dean of engineering and former department head of agricultural and biological engineering, which jointly operates in the College of Agriculture and the Schools of Engineering. read more

Related Link: Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Related Link: U.S. News and World Report

New tool helps researchers bone up on osteoporosis

Purdue University scientists investigating osteoporosis in laying hens have shown that a noninvasive tool can monitor birds' bone strength and aid in discovering genetic information about bone disease in chickens.

Lack of calcium in chickens' food and lack of exercise can leave hens with brittle bones, said Patricia "Scotti" Hester, a professor in Purdue's Department of Animal Sciences. In addition, eggshell production leaches calcium from hens' bones. Hester and her research team found they could accurately determine bone mineral density using a technology known as dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

Their study is published in the August issue of the journal Poultry Science and also appears on the publication's Web site. read more

Related Link: Poultry Science

Top winemakers honored at Indy Wine Competition

Indiana vintners rose to the top of world-class winemaking, winning more than 178 medals at the Indy International Wine Competition on July 24-26.

"The Indiana wineries are bringing home a large number of medals for a state of our size, indicating that Indiana wines are of very high quality," said Sally Linton, marketing and public relations specialist for the Indiana Wine Grape Council at Purdue University.

In this year's competition there were 3,291 entries from 15 countries. There were 269 Indiana wines entered in the competition, up 41 entries from last year. The 2003 event was the third largest wine competition in the United States and the largest in the nation outside of California. read more

Related Link: Indiana Wine Grape Council

Outlook meetings provide producers a look at 2004

Producers and agribusiness people can get an early look into the future during the 75th annual Purdue University Agricultural Outlook meeting series. The free meetings will take place in 26 counties spanning across the state of Indiana from Sept. 12-23.

Purdue agricultural economists will lead the meetings featuring a forecast for the general economy in the year ahead and implications for the agricultural sector in income growth, interest rates and inflation.

"A review of agricultural policy and the expected size of government payments also will be discussed, as well as Loan Deficiency Payments and how they might factor into a producer's pricing strategies and marketing," said Chris Hurt, a Purdue agricultural economist and outlook speaker. "In addition, there will be updates on agricultural export issues, land values and cash rents." read more

Upcoming Events

Sept. 9 — Soybean Field Day

Sept. 10 — Forage Management Training Session

Sept. 11 — Corn And Soybean Management Training Session
Sept. 16 — Self-Employment Training For People With Disabilities
Sept. 27 — Indiana Aquaculture Association Fall Meeting

 

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