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 AgComm
News Purdue Extension Purdue
Agriculture Purdue University 
Jay Akridge Olivia Maddox Cherryl Frederick 
Agricultural Communication |
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Welcome to Purdue Agriculture Report, an e-newsletter for business and community leaders on research, academics and Extension across Indiana and around the globe. Purdue Agriculture developing the next generation of bioenergy While many corn-based ethanol plants are being built in the Midwest , Purdue researchers are already developing the next generation of biofuels. Cellulose is a sugar that makes up much of a plant's cell wall. It can be fermented into ethanol. Cellulosic ethanol is usually made from grasses and agricultural wastes, such as corn stalks. Purdue Agriculture researchers received funding to find ways to produce ethanol from the cellulose of trees, by genetically changing a variety of fast-growing poplar tree. Purdue researchers have also altered the genetic structure of the yeast used to produce ethanol from corn, making it possible to convert the sugars in cellulose into fuel. Purdue is licensing the technology, which is currently used in Canada to produce ethanol from straw. Purdue Agriculture is committed to helping make biofuels a significant part of this country's energy mix, as agriculture becomes known not only for the food on your plate but also for the fuel in your car. Purdue tax workshops offer wise deductions for 2006 filings It might be better to give than receive, but people who make charitable contributions during the holiday season will need to do both to write it off on their taxes, said a Purdue University tax law specialist. "If you've got a habit of putting money in the Salvation Army kettles, you'll need to get a receipt in order to claim that as a deduction," said George Patrick, a Purdue University agricultural economist. The tax code change is one of several covered at the Purdue Income Tax School. The 38th annual workshop series takes place in 10 Indiana cities in November and December. A companion workshop series dealing with agricultural taxes is scheduled for three Hoosier cities in November. Both tax programs are designed to update tax preparers on new wrinkles in federal and state tax laws and regulations before the busy filing period begins. Tax preparers also have a lot to remember when helping farmers file their taxes. "There are a large number of laws that Congress has passed that try to protect farmers from some of the tax changes that occur from year to year," Patrick said. "There are almost 50 provisions that deal specifically with agriculture." To register online or download a workshop brochure for either workshop, go online at http://www.conf.purdue.edu/tax. read more Web site offers resource in wake of West Nile virus Purdue's entomology department recently unveiled a Web site providing information to health officials, educators and the general public about diseases, such as West Nile virus, and the insects and ticks that are vectors of these diseases. The new Web site is timely because, despite cooler temperatures, mosquitoes are still active and West Nile remains a threat. "For example, a female mosquito can acquire West Nile virus when feeding on an infected bird and subsequently pass the virus to a human or horse," said Catherine Hill, an assistant professor of entomology. The Web site, at http://www.entm.purdue.edu/publichealth/, provides a "one-stop shop" for reliable information regarding diseases and the insects that carry them, Hill said. The site provides information on preventing vector-borne diseases and the major groups of vectors that carry them, such as mosquitoes, ticks, lice and fleas. The site also includes a glossary, diagrams and full-color pictures of important insects and ticks. read more Make a clean break from dirty grain bins Before Indiana farmers get swept up in harvesting corn and soybean crops this fall, they should take a broom to the storage bins where they'll put all that grain, said a Purdue University agricultural engineer. Cleaning and performing maintenance on grain bins reduces crop spoilage and damage, said Dirk Maier, Purdue Extension grain quality specialist. Proper maintenance also saves on energy costs if the bin is equipped with a drying system, he said. "We don't know exactly how this crop will turn out in terms of quality, nor how wet it may be coming out of the field," Maier said. "The projection of a large crop and a crop that may be stored for a longer period of time indicates farmers need to be ready to carry this crop into next spring and, possibly, even into next summer." Hoosier producers could eclipse the state's yield records for both corn and soybeans. The large crop size, coupled with an expected rise in cash grain prices after harvest and into 2007, could lead many farmers to place their grain into storage and wait to sell. read more PIG puts pork production expertise online Indiana pork producers have a new online resource for knowledge on pork production via the Pork Information Gateway (PIG). PIG is a virtual library with information from national swine researchers contained in 200 fact sheets. Purdue University is one of 20 land-grant universities participating in the project offered by the U. S. Pork Center of Excellence.
"The site provides producers the opportunity to seek expert advice on specific matters, with the goal of receiving an answer within 72 hours," said Alan Sutton, Purdue professor of animal sciences and one of three Purdue experts associated with the project. Much of the information available on PIG can also be found in the new 2007 Pork Industry Handbook that will be available Oct. 15 from Purdue Extension. More information on the Pork Industry Handbook and an order form are available online or by calling (888) 398-4636. read more Purdue targeted sales workshops hit marketing bulls-eye Entrepreneurs and small-business owners who attend a Purdue University workshop not only will get their hands on effective marketing and sales techniques, but also walk away with them tucked under their arms. Every attendee of Bigger Profits Through Targeted Sales will leave the workshop with a personalized marketing action plan. In addition, they'll pick up valuable business advice and ideas. The one-day workshop takes place in four Indiana cities in October and November. The workshops are sponsored by Purdue's New Ventures Team - a group of Extension educators and specialists that aid those interested in starting new business ventures or improving the profitability of their existing businesses. "The purpose of these workshops is to assist in the overall goal of helping Indiana's economy, especially the rural economy," said Jane Anderson, New Ventures project director and a workshop instructor. Less a seminar and more a group activity, the workshops include interactive exercises, short lectures by instructors, an interview with a business owner and one-on-one discussions with New Ventures members. Throughout the day, attendees will craft their marketing action plans. For more information or to register, visit the New Ventures Web site. read more Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy seeks applications The Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy, an in-depth training program offered by Purdue University, seeks participants who will lead their communities in protecting Hoosier water resources. The academy is now accepting applications for the next class, which begins in January. The program is designed for anyone with watershed management responsibilities or interests such as watershed coordinators, citizen volunteers, community officials, engineers, planners, conservation agency representatives, and members of land trusts and community environmental organizations. "Indiana has a treasure of rivers and lake systems," said Brent Ladd, program coordinator. "These rivers and the people that participate in this academy are the lifeblood of watersheds supporting our communities." For an application and more information, visit the Indiana Watershed Leadership Program Web site or contact Ladd at (765) 496-6331 or laddb@purdue.edu. read more Purdue Extension workshop explains food business success Would-be business owners can get an idea of what it's like to start and operate a specialty food business during a Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service workshop to take place Oct. 24 in Fort Wayne. "Food businesses have a high failure rate, and people generally don't understand how hard it is," said Maria Marshall, assistant professor of agricultural economics. An Introduction to Starting a Specialty Food Business in Indiana will focus on creating and selling specialty ingredients and foods. The program will cover topics such as business planning, organic products, food regulations, marketing, packaging and product development. Participants will also receive information on contacts and resources available to help in starting a business. For more information or to register contact Deidre Bush in the Department of Food Science at (765) 494-3832 or (888) EXT-INFO, djbush@purdue.edu. read more Upcoming Events
Oct. 7 -- Forestry & Wildlife Field Day Oct. 24 -- An Introduction to Starting a Specialty Food Business Oct. 25-Nov. 17 -- Bigger Profits Through Targeted Sales Workshop Oct. 28 -- Tri-State Woodland & Wildlife Workshop Nov. 1-Dec. 1 -- Income Tax School & Agricultural Workshops
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