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 AgComm
News Purdue Extension Purdue
Agriculture Purdue University 
Jay Akridge Olivia Maddox Cherryl Frederick  Agricultural Communication |
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May 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 Agriculture carries on its tradition of student leadership The Purdue University College of Agriculture has a tradition of being home to many student leaders on campus. This year was no exception, as the outstanding male graduating senior, student representative to the board of trustees, and outgoing and incoming student body presidents are all Purdue Agriculture students. We take the enrichment of students’ leadership abilities very seriously. Our Leadership Development Certificate Program was created with this in mind. The program provides students with directed experiences to prepare them for leadership roles in society. While not all students will be able to head a corporation or run for public office, the future of agriculture depends on people serving in productive ways, whether it be as an office team member, civil servant or local volunteer. These roles require commitment, communication skills, resourcefulness and flexibility--skills fostered by our student leadership program. To learn more, visit http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/oap/LDCP/ Purdue researcher starts work on 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine
Using a method he developed for the H5N1 bird flu, Purdue University researcher Suresh Mittal believes he will be able to create a vaccine that will work against the 2009 H1N1 flu strain and its variants. Mittal, a professor of comparative pathobiology in the School of Veterinary Medicine, has received gene samples of the new H1N1 virus (swine flu). With scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mittal hopes to have a vaccine ready for testing within the month. "We would like to have a vaccine in two to three weeks to start testing in mice," Mittal said. "We are trying to use a similar approach with the 2009 H1N1 virus as we did with the H5N1 bird flu virus." Now that work has begun, Mittal believes a 2009 H1N1 vaccine using the adenovirus could be ready for production in a few months. Coaches help citizens take stock of finances in tough times
Using Purdue Extension's "Where Does Your Money Go?" curriculum, financial coaches teach participants how money management practices affect financial stability. Coaches help individuals gain financial control by developing money management skills, such as tracking expenses, identifying needs versus wants, establishing financial goals and developing savings plans. "This program uses hands-on activities to help participants analyze their current spending patterns and determine ways to adjust spending to stabilize finances," said Karen DeZarn, Purdue Extension consumer and family sciences assistant program leader.
Researcher: Lasers used to detect melamine in baby formula With equipment readily available to health officials and businesses, a Purdue University researcher has found a way to detect trace amounts of melamine in infant formula. Using infrared lasers and light spectroscopy methods, Lisa Mauer, an associate professor of food science, was able to detect melamine in baby formula at one part per million in about five minutes or less. Melamine, a synthetic chemical used in plastics and other products, has been found in baby formula and other milk-based products imported from China. High doses of melamine were associated with cancer in some animals, and it is especially dangerous for infants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We have found detection methods that are inexpensive and do not require a lot of the product or time for sampling," said Mauer. "Any company could do this itself. Police agencies, state departments of health and many colleges have this type of equipment." Purdue ABE graduate program receives No. 1 ranking U.S.News & World Report has ranked the Purdue University Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering graduate program one of the nation's best. In its annual "America's Best Graduate Schools" ranking, U.S.News rated Purdue and Cornell University No. 1 in agricultural/biological engineering. "This is the highest ranking our graduate program has ever received," said Bernie Engel, ABE professor and department head. "Historically, we've had a very strong program with great faculty and students doing very good research. In the last few years we've been able to hire some outstanding faculty, which helped propel us to No. 1." For more information about ABE undergraduate and graduate programs and research, visit https://engineering.purdue.edu/ABE/index.html. A bit of advice: cooling can lengthen tool life, Purdue expert says
Those who want their cutting tools to stay sharper and last longer might consider splurging for air conditioning. Rado Gazo, a Purdue University professor of wood processing and industrial engineering, found that cryogenically treating router bits, as well as cooling them while they cut, can increase the tools' lives - in some cases doubling them. "Excessive heat is a major contributor to premature tool wear," Gazo said. "In metal machining, you put water on the tools to keep them cool, but you can't do that when cutting wood." Gazo was able to show that either cryogenically treating the bits to harden them, blowing cooled air on them during use, or doing both, improved the life of tools and kept cuts clean later in the tools' lives. Gazo said manufacturers would likely find cryogenic treating an affordable option for increasing tool life in tungsten-carbide tools. Purdue researcher keeps pushing for deeper knowledge
Making new discoveries in the lab is a thrill for Dan Szymanski, but it's never enough. Szymanski, a Purdue University associate professor in agronomy, studies the most intricate and complicated processes in plant cells. When he discovers how a process works, he feels a need to understand what triggered the process, causing him to dig ever deeper. "I've always been fascinated with mechanisms," Szymanski said. "Now, the best part is to make a new discovery in the lab and watch the students get excited and pursue a new result." That drive has led to Szymanski being named winner of the 2009 Agricultural Research Award. The award is given each year to a faculty member who have demonstrated a high level of excellence in research and made significant contributions to agriculture, natural resources and quality of life for Indiana citizens. Ethanol co-products team awarded for research, outreach A team of Purdue University agriculture researchers studying corn ethanol co-products is the recipient of the 2009 Purdue Agriculture Team Award. The Integrated Corn Ethanol Co-Products team is an interdisciplinary applied research and Extension rapid-response effort composed of more than 40 researchers representing five departments within Purdue Agriculture, including Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Animal Sciences, and Botany and Plant Pathology. "This team is a great example of what can happen when a group of researchers cross disciplines and work together to address issues on a global scale," said Jay Akridge, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture. "The team's contributions to renewable energy sectors through research and Extension are playing a vital role in creating more sustainable agriculture and biofuels industries." New Web site aims to give Indiana hardwood industry a boost Gone are the days of thumbing through the phone book or hoping to stumble upon the right Web site to find a needed product or service - at least in the hardwood industry. Eva Haviarova, a Purdue University assistant professor of wood products design and manufacturing, developed the Indiana Forest Products Community Web site and launched it earlier this year. The idea is to bring Indiana hardwood industry suppliers and service providers under one umbrella to advance the industry. The site, located at http://www.indianaforestproducts.com, features individual sites for the more than 1,600 companies listed, business development information, news about companies and products, industry association information, and more. There are multiple search functions on the site that allow for easy navigation. Purdue Agriculture columns now offered as podcasts Two news and informational columns written by Purdue University Agriculture specialists are now available as podcasts. Podcasts of "On Six Legs" by entomologist Tom Turpin and "Capital Comments" by agricultural economist Larry DeBoer can be downloaded at http://www.ag.purdue.edu/agcomm/Pages/NewsPodcasts.aspx. "On Six Legs" takes an entertaining look at the insect world, while "Capital Comments" has timely information on public policy issues related to state and local government in Indiana. To read or subscribe to any of the five agricultural news columns visit http://www.ag.purdue.edu/agcomm/Pages/Newscolumns.aspx. Upcoming Events May 14: Farmers Market Master Boot Camp May 14, 15, 18, 26: Estrous Synchronization Workshop May 19-20: Crop Training Workshops June 16: Invasive Plant Management Field Day June 23-24: Indiana Farm Management Tour
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The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service has trained more than 50 volunteer financial coaches in 10 Indiana counties to help individuals evaluate and improve their financial situations.
