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 AgComm
News Purdue Extension Purdue
Agriculture Purdue University 
Jay Akridge Olivia Maddox Cherryl Frederick  Agricultural Communication |
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June 2009 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 researcher recognized for efforts to feed the world In this land of plenty, it may be hard for us to imagine what true hunger is really like. For a man born in Ethiopia, however, the struggle to raise a crop and provide food for one’s family is literally a life-and-death challenge. With that background, Gebisa Ejeta came to Purdue University and began the work that would eventually revolutionize sorghum production in Africa. Now a Distinguished Professor of Agronomy, Dr. Ejeta was just named winner of the 2009 World Food Prize. See the article below for more about his efforts. Dr. Ejeta's work is a powerful demonstration of the difference agricultural research can make in creating a more secure and consistent food supply for millions of people. We're very proud of Dr. Ejeta and are thrilled that he was selected to receive the 2009 World Food Prize. For Purdue Agriculture, solving world problems is part of the job every day.
Purdue sorghum researcher wins World Food Prize Ejeta, a plant breeder and geneticist, developed sorghum varieties resistant to drought and Striga, a parasitic weed. Sorghum is a major food crop for more than 500 million people on the African continent. "I'm pleased that the selection committee found my work significant enough to choose me as the 2009 World Food Prize winner," Ejeta said. "It is a great honor." The World Food Prize is considered the Nobel Prize of agriculture. Ejeta is the second Purdue professor to receive the World Food Prize in three years. More information about the World Food Prize Foundation and Prize is available at http://www.worldfoodprize.org. Purdue study: CAFO impacts a mixed bag in communities
"Community Impacts of Confined Animal Feeding Operations" examined 50 CAFOs in Benton, Cass, Huntington, Jasper, Jay, Randolph, Wabash and Wells counties, which have the largest concentration of the animal facilities in the state. The 2007-08 study looked at demographics, labor, impacts on local government budgets, environment violations, and county planning and zoning. "The expansion of CAFOs in Indiana has been controversial. The purpose of this research was to learn more about the issues and the impact of CAFOs on local communities," said Janet Ayres, an agricultural economist and research team leader. The four-member Purdue research team presented the full study June 18 in a statewide broadcast. View the broadcast online at http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/extension/programs/cafo.asp.
Biodiesel blend performs as well as ultra-low sulfur fuel Those worried about a performance drop-off going from standard diesel fuel to the more environmentally friendly B20 biodiesel blend can ease their minds. A new Purdue University study shows that there is almost no statistical performance difference in semitrailer trucks using B20, a 20-percent blend of biodiesel, and No. 2 ultra-low sulfur diesel, the current standard. "In terms of performance, reliability and maintenance costs, it was basically a wash," said John Lumkes, the assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering who led the study. "The only differences are environmental and economic." Economist: Gas prices rising but shouldn't top $3
Pump prices traditionally rise in late May with the beginning of the summer driving season, said Wally Tyner, who specializes in energy production and policy. "For the rest of the summer, we can expect to see gasoline prices higher than this spring, but nothing like last summer," Tyner said. "Today, gasoline is $1.35 less per gallon than this time last year. Gasoline prices this summer likely will stay in the $2 to $3 dollar per gallon range and not come near the $4 seen last year." Top male graduate to help entrepreneurial firm
Barnard is the 21st College of Agriculture recipient of the Ross Award in the 50 years that it has been given. He has been president of the Purdue Student Government and active in the Purdue Greek Intervarsity Youth Fellowship, Mortar Board and Farm House Fraternity. Entomologist develops emerald ash borer cost calculator Now found in 14 states and in Canada, emerald ash borer infestations are taking a major toll on city budgets - but one Purdue University entomologist has introduced a tool that can help cities find the most cost-effective solutions. "In Indiana alone, ash trees make up at least one-third of all of the street trees planted in cities," said Cliff Sadof, creator of the Emerald Ash Borer Cost Calculator. "Because emerald ash borer (EAB) infestations are fatal to ash trees without costly chemical treatments, many cities are left to cope with tree removal and replacement decisions. The cost calculator is a tool we've created to help cities weigh their options and find the best, most cost-effective solutions for dealing with EAB." The calculator, found on the Purdue Entomology Web site at http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/treecomputer/index.php, allows forest managers and city arborists to plug in city-specific statistics, which it uses to calculate and provide comparisons of annual and cumulative costs over a 25-year period for any management strategy - including mixtures of treatment, removal and replacement. Hermodson named interim director of ag research programs
Hermodson replaces Sonny Ramaswamy, who becomes the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University on Aug. 1. The ARP director leads Purdue's research programs in agriculture, food and natural resources, including fiscal management and regulatory functions, as well as coordinating agricultural research with the College of Consumer and Family Sciences and School of Veterinary Medicine. "Mark is a longtime Purdue faculty member, former head of the Department of Biochemistry and also held the interim director of ARP position when Randy Woodson was dean," said Jay Akridge, Purdue's Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture. "He has much respect across campus, and that respect, plus his leadership experience, will help us make this transition a smooth one." Upcoming Events July 7: 2009 Purdue Weed Day July 7: Feldun-Purdue Ag Center Field Day July 14 & Sept. 3: Crop Training Workshops July 19 - 22: Top Farmer Crop Workshop July 21: Midwest Regional Turf Field Day
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Gebisa Ejeta, Distinguished Professor of Agronomy at Purdue University, has been named the recipient of the World Food Prize for research leading to the increased production and availability of sorghum in his native Africa.
Large-scale animal production in eight Indiana counties is carried out by a mostly younger, educated work force and seldom violates state environmental regulations. However, fiscal and zoning issues surrounding confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are more complicated, according to a study by four Purdue University researchers.
Gasoline prices are up this summer, but motorists should not experience the historic highs of one year ago, said a Purdue University agricultural economist.
Eric Barnard, an agricultural economics major from Flora, Ind., received the G.A. Ross Award as the outstanding graduating man at Purdue University. Barnard also received a Governor Bob Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship, which allows recent graduates to work for two years with some of Indiana’s fastest growing entrepreneurial companies. Barnard’s host company is RICS software, which provides services to the retail sector. 
Mark Hermodson, emeritus professor of biochemistry, has been named interim director of Purdue University's Office of Agricultural Research Programs (ARP) and associate dean of Purdue Agriculture. Also, Marshall Martin, ARP associate director, has been promoted to senior associate director and assistant dean.