Lafayette Online » Purdue Cooperative Extension Service

Gray and pink molds turning up in Indiana cornfields

admin — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:26:57 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Wet, cool conditions not only keep farmers out of the fields, but also favor moldy corn. One Purdue University specialist is getting calls from around the state about Diplodia and Gibberella ear rots in corn.

A pink mold that starts at the ear tip is characteristic of Gibberella ear rot. (Photo A. Robertson)

There’s a lot of Diplodia ear rot throughout Indiana, especially in the northeast and southeast, said Charles Woloshuk, a Purdue Extension pathologist who specializes in corn mycotoxins. Anywhere from a few percent to up to 30 percent of the ears are infected, he said.

Diplodia ear rot is characterized by a grayish or grayish-brown mold on and between the kernels on part of the ear. Gibberella ear rot, also known as Gib, is characterized by a pink to reddish mold, which begins at the tip of the ear and develops toward the base. Gib is easy to identify in the field on intact ears, but is more difficult to spot once the grain has been shelled.

Woloshuk encouraged producers and elevators to know what’s going on in their area. Producers need to walk their fields, pull 10 ears and determine if they have either Diplodia or Gibberella and the frequency, he said.

“If it’s Gib ear rot, then there’s concern about the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol, or DON, as well as zearalenone. If suspect, the grain should be tested, especially if it’s to be fed to livestock,” Woloshuk said.

Purdue Extension pathologist Charles Woloshuk holds one good corn ear and one infected by Diplodia ear rot. (Purdue Agricultural Communication photo)

Two grain inspectors in the central and north-central regions of Indiana who analyze grain for DON are East Indiana Grain Inspection Inc., located at 7020 N. Walnut St. in Muncie, and Titus Grain Inspection Inc., located at 1111 E. County Road 800 North in West Lafayette.

“If it’s Diplodia, there is no need to be concerned about mycotoxins. However, if you are feeding a high percentage of moldy grain, that’s still not good,” Woloshuk said. “In either case, the grain needs to be harvested as soon as possible and dried for storage. This grain should not be stored through the summer months.”

Farmers also are encouraged to adjust combines to reduce the amount of fine and small, shriveled or broken kernels.

Growers that have problems this year with either Gib or Diplodia can take steps to help prevent a reoccurrence.

Genetics are involved with Diplodia, Woloshuk said.

“If a producer had a problem this year with a specific hybrid, then I would not plant that hybrid again,” he said.

With either of the diseases, the crop residue should be tilled under because that’s where the pathogens can survive, Woloshuk said. He also recommended rotating to soybeans.

For questions and additional information about Diplodia or Gib, contact Woloshuk at 765-494-3450, woloshuk@purdue.edu

United Way to host Purdue Extension poverty simulation

admin — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:39:05 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The United Way of Greater Lafayette and the Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network will host a poverty simulation for community leaders, nonprofit boards and staff, and interested community members from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 14) at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds.

The simulator, presented by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, teaches participants what life in poverty is really like.

“One out of every eight people in Indiana lives in poverty – that’s almost 800,000 individuals,” said Hannah Ritchie, Purdue Extension consumer and family sciences operations coordinator. “The simulator is not a game. It is a great opportunity for community leaders and the general public to see what life is really like for people with low incomes. It’s a very eye-opening experience and one we hope will inspire participants to get out in the community and work to solve the problem.”

Simulation participants will use a kit to role-play the lives of low-income families and try to budget their resources to provide basic necessities and shelter over the course of four 15-minute “weeks.” During the simulation, they will interact with mock human service agencies, grocers, pawn brokers, bill collectors, job interviewers, police officers and more.

After the simulation, a facilitated discussion about the experience will allow the group to share insights with one another.

“The federal poverty level is $22,050 per year for two adults and two children. Indiana’s minimum wage is $15,080 annually,” Ritchie said. “There are so many people out there who have to just simply survive. We want to give participants a new understanding of what it means to live in poverty and a new perspective when working with the impoverished.”

Those interested in participating in the free poverty simulator are asked to register online by Monday (Oct. 12) at www.INRNWEST.blogspot.com

For more information about the Oct. 14 presentation of the poverty simulator, contact Jillian Miller with the United Way at 765-413-6049, jmiller@uw.lafayette.in.us. More information about the simulation itself is available by contacting Ritchie at 765-496-2489, hritchie@purdue.edu.

Experiment allowed kids to create, learn about biofuels

admin — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:32:47 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Indiana 4-H members and their peers across the nation created renewable energy in a Wednesday (Oct. 7) experiment.

Biofuel Blast helped 4-H’ers better understand the process for producing fuel from crops, and built on science education that’s a regular part of the 4-H program, said Renee McKee, assistant director and program leader for Indiana 4-H youth development. The experiment took place on 4-H National Youth Science Day.

“Our goal through this experiment, known as Biofuel Blast, was to allow young people all over the state to learn about science and how it can be fun and how it has a necessary role in everyday life,” McKee said.

The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and Indiana Corn Marketing Council co-sponsored Biofuel Blast in Indiana.

“Since this year’s experiment was corn-based, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council provided funding so that we could provide the base supplies to every county to help get them started,” McKee said. “It also allowed the youth to learn how corn products can be used as a source for alternative fuels,” McKee said.

During the experiment, 4-H members mixed yeast, corn syrup and warm water in a plastic bottle. They shook the mixture and placed a balloon over the bottle’s top. The balloon inflated with ethanol produced from mixing the yeast with the corn syrup.

4-H’ers also were able to try variations of the experiment by using other materials such as sawdust, dried leaves and cornmeal.

“The young people observed the variations on the experiment and recorded their results in a nationwide database,” McKee said.

Not only did Biofuel Blast allow participants to see how biofuels supply energy, but they also saw how they could learn about renewable energy through 4-H activities, she said.

“We hope 4-Hers left the Biofuel Blast experiment with the idea that projects like this can help further their education and possibly lead to a future career choice in the science field,” McKee said.

The Indiana Soybean Alliance is providing funding for a follow-up supplemental experiment for 4-H’ers in middle school and high school.

To learn more about 4-H National Youth Science Day, visit https://www.4-h.org/NYSD/

Extension workshop teaches grant writing basics

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:11:53 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A two-day workshop to help grant writers of all skill and experience levels learn how to write a grant proposal will be offered by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service.

This workshop is for both beginners and experienced grant writers to develop ideas into winning proposals, target potential funders and understand the full proposal development, submission and review process.

The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing workshop will be offered Oct. 29 and Dec. 2 at locations across Indiana. The workshop, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both dates, will teach participants how to get the most funding possible for their organizations.

“Participants from this workshop have been able to receive more funds for their projects than ever before. To date, participants have received $7.3 million in funded proposals,” said Sabina Calhoun, Purdue Extension program resource development officer.

On the workshop’s first day, participants should come with an idea for a grant proposal, Calhoun said. By the end, they will have an outline and resources necessary to expand the outline into a full proposal.

When participants return the second day with a full written proposal, they will be put into the role of reviewers. Day two also will teach strategies for finding funding and provide an opportunity to polish proposals and submit them for professional review.

“This workshop is for participants to go back to their respective communities and have the chance to receive the funds for community growth, vitality and sustainability,” Calhoun said.

Site locations include:

Aurora – City Building
Bedford – Purdue Extension Lawrence County office
Brookville – Franklin County Government Center
Crown Point – Purdue Extension Lake County office
Crawfordsville – Montgomery County Extension-Learning Network
Danville – Hendricks College Network; 4-H Fairgrounds
Elnora – North Daviess School Corp. and elementary school
Frankfort – Purdue Extension Clinton County office
Goshen – Purdue Extension Elkhart County office
Greenfield – Purdue Extension Hancock County office
Indianapolis – Purdue Extension Marion County office
Lafayette – Purdue Extension Tippecanoe County office
Morocco – Newton County Government Center
Muncie – Ivy Tech Community College
Newport – Vermillion County Courthouse
Tipton – Purdue Extension Tipton County office

Registration deadline is Saturday (Oct. 10), and the workshop fee is $150 per person. The fee includes the “Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing” workbook, lunch both days and follow-up technical assistance. Checks should be payable to Purdue University.

A workshop brochure with additional information and a registration form can be downloaded by logging onto http://www.pcrd.purdue.edu/documents/grant_writing/sf09_gww_brochure.pdf . Additional information also is available by contacting Peggy Hosea at 765-236-0955, phosea@purdue.edu

The workshop is sponsored by Purdue Extension and the Purdue Center for Regional Development.

Natural Resource Enterprise Workshop offers chance to explore new income avenues

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:24:37 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Landowners wanting to try out their green thumbs and earn extra income are encouraged to attend the Natural Resource Enterprises Workshops on Sept. 2 and 3.

Small-scale biodiesel production is one of the new income avenues that will be showcased at the September 3rd workshop.

“The workshops will help landowners and farmers seek new and innovative ways to earn an extra income to help keep their family farm,” said Brian MacGowan, Purdue University Extension wildlife specialist. “They are designed for landowners interested in learning about developing enterprises from the natural resources on their property or simply learning more about wildlife and business management.”

Attendees will learn how to manage natural resources on their land, ways to market their enterprise, cost-share programs that are available and ways to reduce their liability. The workshops are co-sponsored by Purdue.

“Both of the workshops will allow people to learn everything they need to know about starting a natural resources-based business, and they will have the chance to see examples of successful ventures and speak with the hosts about what they learned,” MacGowan said.

Each of the workshops will feature three field tour stops relating to natural resources enterprises.

The workshop on Sept. 2 will be on the Wilkin’s Farm, located at 1935 W. County Road 1000 N., Linden, and will highlight small-scale lumber production, agritourism and timber management. The Sept. 3 workshop will be at the Woodling’s Farm, located at 7092 N. Shilo Road, Unionville, and will showcase small-scale lumber manufacturing, biodiesel production and hunting.

Registration for each workshop is $25, which includes a 600-page reference notebook, lunch and breaks. For more information about each workshop or to register, visit http://www.wildlifeworkshop.msstate.edu

“By hosting these workshops, we hope this will give landowners and farmers a jump-start to begin their natural resources-based enterprises on their own properties, while giving them the information and contacts to manage their property for wildlife and other resources,” MacGowan said.

Pork handbook offers new resources to swine producers

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:43:43 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 2009 Pork Industry Handbook will soon be on sale through Purdue Extension — The Education Store.

The 2009 Pork Industry Handbook can be purchased for $100, plus $15 shipping, and the DVD may be purchased for $45, plus $6.50 shipping. The handbook and DVD can be purchased together at a discount rate of $130, plus $15 shipping.

The handbook, in its third edition, is a cooperative effort of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, Pork Checkoff and the U.S. Pork Center for Excellence. It has new content, including industry statistics and historical data, and new information on human resources, swine welfare, genetics, environmental stewardship and worker health.

“The Pork Industry Handbook covers all aspects of pork production — from conception to products — and it includes the most current and up-to-date information available,” said Alan Sutton, Purdue Extension swine specialist.

Also new for 2009 is a DVD version of the handbook that includes all of the information contained in the print version and color versions of all photos and graphics contained in the handbook. It also includes more than 30 how-to videos and more than 20 interactive swine management worksheets producers can use on their own farms.

“What makes the Pork Industry Handbook unique is that it gives producers a resource where they can find information on all aspects of production in one place,” Sutton said. “It gives them the information they need to make key decisions about their operations.

“The handbook also serves as a great resource for training on-farm employees or as a textbook for vocational agriculture classes.”

For more information on the handbook, bulk orders and discount rates, contact The Education Store at 888-398-4636, or by e-mail at media.order@purdue.edu. More information is available http://www.extension.purdue.edu/store/2009_PIH_order_form.pdf

Event helps flood victims deal with mold-plagued homes

admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:31:13 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Indiana floods in 2008 and 2009 have left many victims and volunteers wondering how to deal with mold issues.

A Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service IP video event at 2 p.m. May 5 will answer those questions. Experts from Purdue and the Indiana State Department of Health will teach both victims and volunteers helping with flood cleanup how to fight mold and how to stay safe and healthy while removing it.

Experts from Purdue and the Indiana State Department of Health will teach both victims and volunteers helping with flood cleanup how to fight mold and how to stay safe and healthy while removing it.

“We have talked with the case managers of the long-term recovery committees active in Indiana, and mold issues still remain from 2008 and new mold issues are arising in houses flooded in 2009,” said Steve Cain, Purdue Extension specialist and president of the Indiana Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster. “There are many reasons why mold problems persist. Some houses have mold growing in the crawl space, some houses were not cleaned properly and other houses were repaired before they were allowed to properly dry out.”

Scheduled topics include:

“Drying Out the House,” Karen Zotz, Purdue Extension program leader for consumer and family sciences
“Personal Safety in Moldy Homes,” Ron Clark, industrial hygienist with the Indiana State Department of Health
“Cleaning and Removing Mold,” Denise Schroeder, educator, Purdue Extension White County
“Removing Mold from the House,” Schroeder

Also included will be a question-and-answer session for participants, information on how to contact the mold team for local presentations, and a list of educational materials available to help victims and volunteers deal with mold.

The event is free and will be offered at several Purdue Extension offices throughout the state. For more information about the program and host sites, contact Purdue Extension at 888-EXT-INFO (398-4636). Additional resources on mold can be found online at http://www.extension.purdue.edu/eden. Click on “Floods & Storms” and scroll down to the word “Molds.”

New Corn and Soybean Field Guide available

admin — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:59:15 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 2009 edition of the “Corn & Soybean Field Guide,” a pocket reference that covers corn and soybean production issues, is now available for sale.

The guide, created and distributed by Purdue University’s Crop Diagnostic Training and Research Center, is a handy resource for determining stages of plant development and identifying weeds, insects and plant diseases, as well as plant injury and deficiency symptoms. Center director Corey Gerber said pictures in the guide have been especially helpful to its users.

“The photos help identify types of pests, plant deficiencies and injuries, either related to herbicides or weather,” Gerber said. “The guide is small enough that people can take it to the field and use it as a source on the spot.”

The 2009 guide includes a few new items, including updated nitrogen recommendations and photos of early stage lesions for plant diseases on corn. Gerber said these photos would aid crop advisers, scouts and farmers in diagnosing issues early, allowing ample time to manage problems.

The guide is $6 and can be purchased online or by phone. To purchase online, go to http://www.extension.purdue.edu/store and search for product code ID-179. To order by phone, call (888) EXT-INFO (398-4636).

Sweet corn and pumpkin varieties featured at twilight meeting

admin — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:22:53 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Vegetable growers and master gardeners can tour plots by wagon and compare different varieties of pumpkins and sweet corn at the Sept. 9 twilight meeting in Wanatah, Ind., at the Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center.

The pumpkin variety on the left shows signs of severe powdery mildew infestation while the variety on the right shows much less disease. (Purdue University photo/Liz Maynard)

The Pumpkin and Sweet Corn Twilight Meeting will begin with registration at 6 p.m. EDT (5 p.m. CDT). Participants will have an opportunity to look at synergistic and supersweet sweet corn varieties, powdery mildew resistant pumpkin varieties and the cucurbit downy mildew sentinel plot.

“We have done some different things with our plots this year,” said Liz Maynard, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service vegetable crops specialist. “This is the first year we have sprayed for powdery mildew in only half the pumpkin plots, so growers can see a difference.”

During the wagon tours, Rick Foster, Purdue Extension vegetable and fruit crops pest management specialist, will discuss insect management in sweet corn and give an update on corn earworm. Dan Egel, Purdue Extension plant pathologist, will point out various diseases in the fields, and participants will have the chance to see symptoms and ask questions. Maynard will highlight the different varieties in plots and discuss production methods and weed management strategies.

Registration is due by Sept. 2 and costs $5, which can be paid at the door and includes dinner. If the weather permits and the sweet corn is ready for harvest, participants will be able to taste some of the different varieties from the plots at dinner. Those interested can register by contacting Maynard at (219) 785-5674, emaynard@purdue.edu. Registration for those wanting to receive private pesticide applicator recertification credit (PARP) is $15.

Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center is located at 11402 S. County Line Road. More information is available online at http://www.hort.purdue.edu/fruitveg/events/PumpkinTwiliteTour08.pdf. For additional questions, contact Maynard.

The meeting is sponsored by Purdue Extension and the Northwest Indiana Commercial Horticulture Program, a part of Purdue’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.

Free, web-based online tool aids in local planning, economic development

admin — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:17:10 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Land use and economic development planning takes time and money – two things few cities and counties have in abundance. Thanks to a free online resource developed by Purdue University and the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, money no longer needs to be a limiting factor.

The Local Decision Maker (LDM) is a comprehensive planning tool that provides almost instant data for producing a socioeconomic and environmental community snapshot, as well as a portrait of how that community might someday appear.

There is no charge to use the LDM, located at http://ldm.agriculture.purdue.edu/.

The Web-based resource allows government officials to get more bang out of taxpayers’ bucks, said Richard Farnsworth, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant associate director for Extension in Purdue’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and a LDM project leader.

“Every comprehensive planning process begins with a community inventory and analysis phase,” Farnsworth said. “Inventory and analysis is also expensive, although much of the data is available from public sources. We have discovered that rural communities and counties spend between 60 percent and 80 percent of their limited budgets on inventory and analysis, thus leaving very little for the actual plan.”

Consultants often are hired by cities and counties to collect and analyze the data for comprehensive plans, said Christine Nolan, chair of the Purdue Extension Land Use Team and a LDM team member.

“A comprehensive plan for a small or midsize city or county can cost $45,000 to $65,000,” Nolan said. “Plans for big metro areas and specialized economic development plans, which require very detailed data, can be into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

The LDM contains government- and geographic information systems-based data in the areas of population, environment and natural resources; land use and land cover; education; and economy and labor markets.

“The two available geographies are counties and school districts,” said Indraneel Kumar, a regional planner at the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD). “GIS-based data for municipalities and townships are works in progress, as are other elements of comprehensive plans, such as transportation, housing, health and human services, and governance.”

By choosing the appropriate data, the online program leads the user through a four-step community audit (”Inventory/Analysis”), a community goal (”Vision/Objectives”), plan development (”Alternative Strategies”) and plan implementation.

“Planners and government officials will be able to use the Local Decision Maker throughout the entire planning process, from beginning to end,” Nolan said.

Nolan described an example of how a county planner might utilize the LDM.

“Let’s say they need to determine the location for new schools. This resource will provide information on demographics, roads, taxes, land cover and sensitive areas, as well as aerial photographs. By having that data, the planner then can identify the suitable sites for those schools.”

Professional consultants who helped test the LDM are excited about the resource.

“They feel this will boost their capacity and productivity,” Nolan said.

The LDM will be updated regularly as new data become available, Farnsworth said.

“This is a value-added resource,” he said. “We’re adding value through the consolidation, flow and analysis of information.”

Purdue’s LDM development team included the PCRD, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service and Purdue’s Center for the Environment at Discovery Park.

Lafayette Online » Purdue Cooperative Extension Service

Gray and pink molds turning up in Indiana cornfields

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