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November 20, 2015
Farm News. Farm Views.
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Profit isn't just about cost per acre
Corn and soybean growers should not scrimp on crop inputs because of lower grain prices and tightening profit margins, a Purdue University agricultural economist says. Michael Gunderson, associate professor and associate director for Purdue's Center for Food and Agricultural Business, said cutting corners on inputs can be more costly for producers because of yield reductions.
 
"The current commodity price climate might cause crop producers to focus more intensely than usual on managing costs of production," Gunderson said. "Producers often budget on cost per acre. While this is an excellent start and certainly better than no budgeting at all, focusing only on total costs per acre might cause producers to overlook important productivity tradeoffs.
 

 

On-farm cover crop trials gain soil health insights
Two farmers who were among the first to step up and enroll in the Soil Health Partnership on Nov. 6 hosted area growers, soil health experts and others in tours. Dave Moose and Tim Seifert were among 20 farmers across the Corn Belt to enroll in the partnership in 2014.

On-farm cover crop trials
An additional 20 farmers signed up this year, and the goal is to enroll an additional 20 farmers each of the next three years for a total enrollment of 100. The partnership, formed by the National Corn Growers Association with support from the Walton Family Foundation and Monsanto.
Scientists discuss future of plant science, feeding world
Purdue University has invested more than $20 million in its plant sciences program to invent ways to feed a growing world population. The program was a hot topic at the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development meetings held in West Lafayette.
 
Melba Crawford, Karen Plaut, Jian Kang Zhu and Katy Rainey.
"In 2013, President Mitch Daniels and the board of trustees determined that it was important to invest in areas where cutting-edge research could really make a difference for the future," said Karen Plaut, senior associate dean for research and faculty affairs at Purdue College of Agriculture.




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