Purdue Agriculture Report

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 more than 300 recent Purdue Agriculture graduates may benefit from an improved job market, according to a publication from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Purdue University.

The report indicates that national job openings for those with an agriculture-related degree should exceed the number of graduates over the next five years.

Purdue Agriculture students already enjoy strong job placement. By four months after graduation, 91 percent of our May 2004 graduates either had a job or were continuing their education.

Today's employers seek graduates with technical and communication skills, as well as those who work well in teams. Internships and international experiences give students even greater employment potential.

Purdue Agriculture students are encouraged to undertake a variety of experiences, which include leadership, internships and study abroad. More than 19 percent of our agriculture students participate in overseas programs prior to graduation.

We are also working with industry and government leaders to develop leadership certificate opportunities for our students.

Indiana benefits as well. Last year, 73 percent of our May graduates either took a job or continued their education in state. The future remains bright for Purdue Agriculture graduates and the Hoosier employers who hire them.

Underground crops could be future of 'pharming'

Corn grows just as well — if not better — underground as in a typical greenhouse setting or in the field, according to a team of Purdue University researchers that is working with a company to develop techniques for tightly controlled production of crops containing pharmaceuticals such as antibodies.

The scientists, in partnership with Controlled Pharming Ventures LLC of McCordsville, Ind., have designed and built a crop-growth facility inside a 60-acre former limestone mine in Marengo, a small town in southern Indiana. The first test crop, planted in the underground facility late last fall, produced more corn in a shorter time period than plants grown in a greenhouse on the Purdue campus, said Cary Mitchell, a Purdue professor of horticulture.

"This first planting performed very well," Mitchell said. "We've shown that you can successfully grow crops underground in a lighted but completely contained facility. What we have here is a perfect model for controlled-environment agriculture. This could jump-start a whole industry." read more

Kudzu turning over new leaves in Indiana counties

A leafy plant blanketing much of the South is slowly pulling the covers over Indiana .

Kudzu, known for its green quilt-like growth pattern, has been confirmed in more than 20 Indiana counties. The invasive plant species poses risks to both soybean growers and the forestry industry, said Glenn Nice, a Purdue Extension weed scientist.

"At the moment, there are well over 50 kudzu sites in Indiana ," Nice said. "The sites are mostly in the southern part of the state, with one site as far north as LaPorte County ."

Trees covered by kudzu can die from lack of sunlight or stress caused by the weight of the vines, Nice said. Another concern is kudzu's connection to soybeans. Because it is a legume like the soybean plant, kudzu serves as an alternate host for Asian soybean rust. read more

Destructive insect sends researchers to Far East

The list of enemies is made, and now Purdue University researchers must find the most lethal one by returning to the target's native home in the Orient.

The object of this far-flung investigation is to determine safe and effective natural predators of the almost microscopic, nearly transparent yellow-green soybean aphid, which can cause an average crop yield loss of six to eight bushels per acre. The project to discover insects that control soybean aphids in Japan , China and Korea where they originated is a collaboration of Purdue, the University of Wisconsin , Michigan State University , the University of Minnesota , Iowa State University , the University of Illinois , the Illinois Natural History Survey and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The scientists already have found nine species that kill soybean aphids.

"In most of Asia , the soybean aphid is not a problem, even though it collects on the plants, because natural enemies control it," said Bob O'Neil, Purdue entomology professor. "We have studied the soybean aphid's natural enemies and now that we know them, we need to determine their impact on non-targeted insects." read more

Soil recycling project evolves into private business

An idea planted and nurtured in a Purdue University soil laboratory grew into a reclamation project that now has blossomed into a private company.

Jody Tishmack's business, called Soilmaker, produces high-quality synthetic soil at the site where the idea became reality on Purdue's campus 10 years ago. She leases the land from the university and operates her business with the endorsement of university officials who promote moving research from the laboratory to the community.

Tishmack has been with the project almost since soil researchers Cliff Johnston and Darrell Norton, of the Department of Agronomy, in 1994 hatched the idea of creating a synthetic soil using waste products. Since then, Tishmack has taken the original soil recipe, modified it and now sells various forms for different purposes.

"Composting is an art that you learn from mistakes," said Tishmack, who holds a soil science master's degree. She was a civil engineering doctoral student and employee of Purdue's Physical Facilities Department when the synthetic soil project began. read more

Livestock producers and their employees now can pay for, and access, several Purdue University Department of Animal Sciences programs online. Phil Reid, the department's distance education coordinator, said the courses give people the flexibility to study from home at a time that's convenient for them.

IQ+Beef, Indiana Farm Fresh Beef, Milking for Quality and the Spanish version of Milking for Quality are available by dialing 1-888-EXT-INFO or through Purdue Extension's education store. The courses range in price from $10 to $25 and include materials and access to the online course.

"The information that is presented online is the same as what a producer would get at a live workshop," Reid said. read more

Purdue Agriculture annually recognizes scientific achievement through the Research Award for an individual faculty member and the Team Award for multidisciplinary collaboration.

Natalia Dudareva, associate professor of horticulture, is the recipient of the 2005 Agricultural Research Award. Her research focuses on the biology of floral scent. read more

Research conducted by the Purdue Agricultural Air Quality Team to alleviate odor, gas and dust emitted from livestock production facilities has earned the group the 2005 Agriculture Team Award. read more

A team of Purdue University agricultural economics students won first place in this year's National Agri-Marketing Association marketing competition, which took place April 20-22 in Phoenix.

The team's winning plan promotes a type of heating pad designed to keep piglets warm — invented, it turns out, by Purdue graduate Dick Ward, who majored in agricultural economics in 1943.

Teams participating in the national competition select a new agricultural product and develop a plan to successfully bring the product or service to the marketplace.

"We began looking last year for an agricultural product that wasn't very widely known," said Christine Wilson, assistant professor of agricultural economics and faculty adviser for the student team. "The warming pads were a perfect fit for the competition." read more

A farmer's market is new among the activities being offered on June 4 during this year's Vintage Indiana Wine and Food Festival at Military Park in Indianapolis.

The festival, sponsored by the Indiana Wine Grape Council located at Purdue University, includes more than 100 wines to sample from 15 Indiana wineries. The event also features cooking and wine demonstrations, live music, foods from local restaurants, and a children's fun area.

"The farmer's market is new this year and should complement the other activities," said Jeanette Merritt, marketing director for the Indiana Wine Grape Council. "Indiana doesn't have much fresh produce this time of year, but there will be plants, honey and other country products to purchase."

More information about the festival is available online or by calling (800) 832-WINE. Proceeds from the Vintage Indiana Wine and Food Festival benefit the Indiana Wine Grape Council, which promotes the development of the state's wine and grape industry. read more