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Feldun-Purdue Agricultural Center (FPAC)
The original 360-acre tract of land for the Feldun-Purdue
Agricultural Center (FPAC) in Lawrence County,
Indiana was donated to Purdue by Moses Fell Dunn
and his aunt, Marie Antionette Fell, in 1914.
Special legislation permitted the Moses Fell annex
Farm to become the first Indiana "experimental
station" established outside of Tippecanoe County.
Currently, commercial beef cattle breeding and
management are a major part of the research performed
at FPAC. Research focuses on crossbreeding and
on evaluation of alfalfa varieties for forage.
Other research involves studies of growth, yield,
and cutting alternatives for upland central hardwoods.
FPAC maintains a herd of about 250 beef cows for
grazing research as well as crossbreeding research
with the Simmental and Angus breeds. Calves produced
at Feldun are used in various feedlot research
after weaning.
People from across Indiana come to FPAC with tour
groups to see watering systems, grazing techniques,
and beef cow production practices. The Lawrence County
SWCD and Purdue Extension uses FPAC for grazing, fencing
and watering systems training. It's not limited to
Hoosiers. Groups from Russia, Poland and other states
have toured FPAC's facilities.
FPAC is home to the Indiana Beef Evaluation Program
(IBEP) bull test station--an important link between
Purdue and the beef cattle industry of Indiana. The
IBEP helps breeders identify sires whose offspring
excel. IBEP staff follow the growth rates, feed conversion,
and carcass value of every offspring.
Producers use the information to get the best,
performance-tested bulls. Bulls from breeders
in 14 states and Canada have been evaluated for
genetic growth potential, breeding soundness,
and leanness.
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