“There was a period in late May that was suitable for harvesting hay, but for whatever reason many producers did not get their hay cut,” he said. “Now producers need to focus on getting the hay harvested. Producers who started in late May are starting their second harvest.”

As of June 14, 23 percent of Indiana’s alfalfa crop was still waiting to be harvested, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Statistics Service crop and weather report released June 15.

Producers can take steps to make sure they are ready to cut hay when the ideal time comes, Johnson said.

First they should have a properly set mower conditioner that sufficiently crimps the stems and does not bruise the leaves.

“Keep in mind that there are two types of conditioners, a flail and rubber rolls,” Johnson said. “The flail mower is more aggressive with the crop, so using a flail mower on a legume like alfalfa is not recommended because more leaf loss will occur.”

Producers also should consider the optimal time to use a tedder – a fingerlike rake used to fluff hay after it has been laid in a swath. The tedder is an aggressive piece of equipment that is more useful when the hay crop has more than 50 percent moisture content. If the hay crop has a low moisture content and the tedder is used, the hay has a greater potential of losing nutritional value from the leaves.

Making bale silage is another option farmers have, Johnson said. Having the correct amount of wrap, a bale wrapper and baling the hay at 50 percent moisture content is essential to making this happen. Farmers can wrap in a single bale or in a row of bales.

Farmers harvesting their fields the traditional way should consider moisture content. If baling into small rectangular bales, the moisture content should be 20 percent. Large rectangular bales and large round bales should be at 18 percent moisture content. Higher moisture levels will result in moldy hay. Farmers should use a propionic acid preservative, which permits hay to be packaged at a slightly higher moisture content during baling.

After harvesting, the field may need to be fertilized, Johnson said.

“A soil test can tell you what nutrients the forage needs to improve yield and persistence in a perennial crop,” he said.

Along with maintaining the soil of the hay field, insect scouting is important, too.

Producers with alfalfa fields will need to scout for potato leafhopper, an insect carried to Indiana in the spring by weather systems from the southeastern United States. There are alfalfa varieties available that are up to 70 percent resistant to the potato leafhopper.

Because of the isolated and pop-up thundershowers across the state, Johnson encourages producers to check the weather forecast at least twice a day and look at the extended forecast in and outside of their local area.

In Related News:

• Grant writing workshop, March 18 and April 22
• Purdue program provide primer on immigration issues

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

Undesirable weather slows down hay production

The two day Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing workshop will be offered March 18 and April 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in several locations across Indiana. The workshop will teach participants how to get the most funding possible for their organization. Participants need to attend both days of the workshop, if possible, but the first day is essential.

“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.

The workshop is a two-part videoconference workshop with Purdue Extension educators that may be viewed at 24 different sites throughout the state.

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

On the first day of the workshop, participants should come with an idea for a grant proposal and by the end of the day 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 send them in for professional review.

“This workshop is for participants to go back to their perspective communities and have the chance to receive the funds for community growth, vitality and sustainability,” said Calhoun.
Regional site locations include:

• Purdue Extension Benton County office, Fowler.
• Clinton County Learning Center, Frankfort.
• Purdue Extension Fountain County office, Covington.
• Purdue Extension Jasper County office, Rensselaer.
• Newton County Government Center, Morroco.
• Purdue Extension Pulaski County office, Winamac.
• Purdue Extension Tippecanoe County office, Lafayette.
• Purdue Extension Warren County office, Williamsport.

The registration deadline is March 1. The workshop is $150 per person. This fee includes the Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing manual, lunch both days and follow-up technical assistance. Checks should be payable to Purdue University. The workshop is sponsored by Purdue Extension and the Purdue Center for Regional Development.

For more information or a registration form, contact the local Purdue Extension office, or Angela Schneidt at 765-496-2090, adthomas@purdue.edu

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• Program offers resource management strategies for cattle farms
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• Free Blue Ocean Strategy webinar designed to help businesses grow during recession
• Undesirable weather slows down hay production

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

Grant writing workshop, March 18 and April 22

Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and the university’s College of Liberal Arts are sponsoring a pair of video broadcasts to help Indiana residents better understand the state’s changing demographics. The Basics on Immigration takes place 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Oct. 22 and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29. The Web-based broadcasts can be viewed at seven Purdue Extension offices across Indiana.

The broadcasts are free and open to the public.

“This program is designed to reach those individuals who are concerned or interested in learning more about immigration in Indiana,” said Carmen DeRusha, a Purdue Extension economic and community development specialist, and the program coordinator.

“Our democratic system depends on an educated citizenry and Purdue Extension wants to help educate Indiana residents about issues affecting the people of Indiana, including immigration.”

According to the U.S. Census, 81 of Indiana’s 92 counties experienced an increase in foreign-born residents between 1990 and 2000. Although foreign-born residents made up just 3 percent of the state’s more than 6.03 million Hoosiers in 2000, the 186,534 foreign-born people represented more than 17 percent of the state’s population growth in the 10-year Census period.

That growth in immigrant population has not come without challenges, said Sam Cordes, co-director of Purdue’s Center for Regional Development and a program leader for Purdue Extension.

“Immigration is a high profile – and often controversial – issue facing our society and communities,” Cordes said. “Unfortunately, what we hear is often not grounded in facts or research. Our program will enable local leaders and residents – especially businessmen – to gain a better understanding of the various issues, challenges and opportunities, and to engage in constructive dialogue with others in their communities.”

The Oct. 22 program features presentations on demographic data and the global elements of immigration. Speakers include Adriela Fernandez, associate dean in Purdue’s College of Liberal Arts; James McCann, a Purdue professor of political science; and Thomas Ruge, an attorney and immigration law expert with the Indianapolis legal firm of Lewis & Kappes.

On Oct. 29 the three speakers from the previous program will answer immigration-related questions.

The Web broadcasts will originate from the Pfendler Hall Deans Auditorium on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. The public can attend in person or watch the programs at the following Purdue Extension sites:

• Clinton – 1111 S. Jackson St., Frankfort, (765) 659-6380
• Howard – 120 E. Mulberry, Kokomo, (765) 456-2313
• LaGrange – 114 W. Michigan St., Suite 10, LaGrange, (260) 499-6334
• Montgomery – 400 Parke Ave., Crawfordsville, (765) 364-6363
• Pulaski – 125 S. Riverside, Winamac, (574) 946-3412
• Tippecanoe – Pfendler Hall Auditorium, 715 West State Street, @ Purdue University,
  West Lafayette, (765) 474-0793 – [this is the live presentation site]
• Tipton – 1200 S. Main St., Tipton, (765) 675-1177

For more information, contact DeRusha at (317) 275-9305 ext. 253 or by e-mail at cderusha@purdue.edu

In Related News:

• Undesirable weather slows down hay production
• Study finds big shifts in Indiana immigrant trends since 1990
• Grant writing workshop, March 18 and April 22
• Presidential candidates quietly vying for Latino vote

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

Purdue program provide primer on immigration issues