July 2004

Welcome to Purdue Agriculture Report, an e-newsletter for business and community leaders on research, academics and Extension across Indiana and around the globe.

After 10 great years, I am no longer dean of Purdue Agriculture. All told, I worked in the School of Agriculture for more than 30 years. I now have the good fortune to continue to serve Purdue University as vice provost for engagement.

We saw tremendous growth in Purdue Agriculture over the last decade. The quality of our undergraduate experience improved with more emphasis on undergraduate research, service learning, globalization and study abroad. We accomplished this while providing a strong emphasis on meeting the needs of production agriculture.

Purdue Agriculture is committed to serving Indiana, and Purdue Extension is the catalyst for that connection. Our Extension educators and specialists work tirelessly to link research and teaching initiatives with the people in the state. That is a wonderful primer for my next role.

Purdue’s engagement mission focuses on using all of the university’s resources to serve Indiana. We want to collaborate with state officials, business and industry, and service organizations — all of our stakeholders — to help find solutions to the challenges facing our state.

Transition isn’t easy, but Purdue Agriculture is very fortunate to have a leader like Randy Woodson to serve as interim dean. He directs our agricultural research program and is an outstanding person who will do a fine job of keeping the school growing and moving forward.

Soybean research featured in Indiana State Museum exhibit

A new exhibit at the Indiana State Museum highlights innovative uses for soybeans, including their potential as an alternative to petroleum.

"Super Bean," which was developed and produced by Purdue University faculty and staff in partnership with the Indiana State Museum and Indiana Soybean Board, features a variety of consumer and industrial products made from soybeans, ranging from soap and candles to biodiesel and jet fuel. The exhibit, which is located in the museum's Tomorrow's Indiana gallery, will be on display until Dec. 11.

"Soybeans offer enormous opportunities for the development of new sources of energy and industrial materials, all from a renewable, domestic resource that's one of Indiana's largest crops," said Bernie Tao, Purdue professor of agricultural and biological engineering and one of the exhibit's developers.

"Super Bean" includes interactive computer touch screens and videos showcasing soy-based products and the history of soybean research, as well as displays of numerous consumer and industrial products made from soybeans. read more

Purdue's long-standing strengths in food and agribusiness management, coupled with IU's expertise in distance-delivered management education, will help managers confront the many challenges in the food and agricultural marketplace, said Jay Akridge, Purdue professor of agribusiness and program director.

"The dual-degree program delivers the best of both worlds - an industry-specific focus on current issues in food and agriculture and a general MBA," Akridge said. "Both schools have international reputations and are highly regarded for their quality programs." read more

Link between calcium and weight loss focus of summer camp

While many teens go off to summer camp to swim, hike or learn to play tennis, participants in Purdue University's Camp Calcium will be the nation's first subjects in a controlled-diet study investigating the role of calcium and dairy products in moderating body weight.

"We're on the cutting edge this year," said Berdine Martin, camp director and research associate in Purdue's Department of Foods and Nutrition. "This is the first time anyone has looked at this question in a clinical setting, under tightly controlled conditions, in any population, let alone teen-agers."

Recent studies have suggested that calcium or dairy product consumption may help people lose weight. None of these studies, however, have provided the level of dietary supervision Camp Calcium participants will receive, said Connie Weaver, distinguished professor and head of Purdue's foods and nutrition department. read more

For the second consecutive year, a Purdue University College of Agriculture researcher has won a grant from the Sidney Kimmel Foundation for Cancer Research.

The organization recently named Scott Briggs one of 15 scholars for 2004. Last year, Ann Kirchmaier received one of the two-year, $200,000 grants. Both Briggs and Kirchmaier are assistant professors in the school's Department of Biochemistry and members of Purdue's Cancer Center.

"Not many schools have Kimmel scholars in consecutive years," said Jim Forney, biochemistry department head. "The ones that usually do are universities with degree-granting medical schools. I'm excited that we've been able to convince talented young scientists who typically go to top medical schools to come to Purdue." read more

Agricultural exports are racing toward a record high this year, with Indiana helping fuel the economic engine.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has forecast national farm export sales of $61.5 billion in fiscal year 2004. The estimated total is $5.3 billion more than in 2003 and $1.7 billion above the previous high set in 1996.

Indiana is expected to contribute its share to the 2004 record, said Chris Hurt, a Purdue University agricultural economist. Hoosier farm export sales could jump $300 million this year, he said. "Agricultural exports from Indiana are going to be around $2 billion for the 2004 fiscal year," Hurt said. "That's up from $1.7 billion in 2002, the last year for which there are USDA state estimates." read more

Yield monitors make it possible for grain farmers to determine yields per acre while harvesting their crop. In the future, farmers also will be able to look inside the grain without leaving the combine.

Grain quality sensing is the next leap forward in crop production technology, said Jess Lowenberg-DeBoer, a Purdue University agricultural economist and director of Purdue's Site-Specific Management Center.

Midwest farmers who want to get an early peek at the technology can attend Purdue's Top Farmer Crop Workshop. The 37th annual event takes place July 18-21 in Stewart Center on Purdue's West Lafayette, Ind., campus. read more

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