NEWS RELEASE: Lt. Governor Skillman Announces Transition in Leadership at State Department of Agriculture
Today, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, announced a transition in leadership at the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). Joe Kelsay, a sixth generation dairy and crop farmer, has been selected to serve as the next Indiana Agriculture Director. Later this fall, Kelsay will succeed Anne Hazlett who will then serve as Chief Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry under ranking member U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss.
"Anne's passion for agriculture helped the State Department of Agriculture surge forward, strengthen partnerships, and set the course for the future," said Lt. Governor Skillman. "Talent like that doesn't go unnoticed. Fortunately, in her new position, she will continue to work everyday to allow agriculture to flourish in Indiana and across the country."
A 1999 graduate of Purdue University in agricultural economics, Kelsay farms full-time with his father and brother in rural Johnson County. In addition to milk production, Joe and his wife Amy operate a farm tour business, Kelsay Farm Tours LLC, which teaches thousands of children and families each year about life on the farm. Beyond his experience in production and business development, Kelsay has held a wide variety of leadership positions in the agriculture industry. He was the Indiana FFA State Vice President from 1995 to 1996. He currently serves as Chairman of the State Young Farmer Committee in Indiana Farm Bureau and is president of the Indiana Professional Dairy Producers. Further, he is a member of the Purdue University Dean of Agriculture's Advisory Council as well as the ISDA Agriculture Advisory Board.
In his role as the Indiana Agriculture Director, Kelsay will lead the state's efforts to promote and strengthen the agriculture industry. "I cannot think of a person more suited for this critical leadership role than Joe Kelsay," Skillman said. "With his zeal for agriculture, proven leadership abilities, and entrepreneurial spirit, Joe will be a tremendous asset for all facets of Indiana agriculture. I am very much looking forward to working with him as we continue to grow the agriculture sector to an even greater piece of our state's economic revitalization."
Kelsay will assume his responsibilities in early November upon completion of the 2009 harvest.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
FB Blog survey
Please comment on this post as to this blogs value. Do we need more pictures, ag articles, basic ag information, FB information, or markets? Your response is my (Steve Cash) only indication that anyone is checking this as no one but Bill Dory has ever offered a comment. Please take a moment to reply via anonymous if you don't have an account. I would really appreciate it.
Friday, August 7, 2009
North Dakota Benchmarks for cattle
The average CHAPS producer exposed 218 cows to bulls. The cows had an average age of 5.7 years. Of the 218 cows exposed to the bull, 93.5% were pregnant in the fall, 92.9% calved in the spring and 90.9% weaned a calf in the fall.
During the calving season, 63.9% calved during the first 21 days, 88.9% during the first 42 days and 95.6% within the first 63 days of the calving season.
On average, the calves were weaned at 189 days, weighed 565 lbs. and had a frame score of 5.8.
These growth numbers translated into a 3.01-lb. weight gain per day of age and a 639-lb. adjusted 205-day weight. For every cow exposed, CHAPS producers weaned 505 lbs. of calf.
During the calving season, 63.9% calved during the first 21 days, 88.9% during the first 42 days and 95.6% within the first 63 days of the calving season.
On average, the calves were weaned at 189 days, weighed 565 lbs. and had a frame score of 5.8.
These growth numbers translated into a 3.01-lb. weight gain per day of age and a 639-lb. adjusted 205-day weight. For every cow exposed, CHAPS producers weaned 505 lbs. of calf.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Pet Parade and Pedal Pull action at the Fair
Hot Action at the Pedal Pull during the county fair
Best Group during the Pet Parade was Jacob and Aiden Beadlesand their Guinea Pigs Darby and Daisy
Grace Merrell with her Best Trained Dog Lacey
Wyatt McKinney and his dog Faith was awarded Prettiest Pet
Beth Ann & Kelly Hansen paraded the Most Unusual Pets
Beth Ann & Kelly Hansen paraded the Most Unusual Pets
Steenie and Treenie - Giant Madagscar Hissing Roaches
Saturday, August 1, 2009
2009 Indiana Master Farmers includes Chris Mann
2009 Indiana Master Farmers Honored at Purdue 07/30/2009Andy Eubank
The level of experience of the newest crop of Indiana Master Farmers, introduced at Beck’s Ag Center at Purdue yesterday, ranges from fifteen years to nearly fifty years. They can all agree that changes during their time in farming include technology, like computers and the size and capability of equipment.Master Farmer Maurice Robeson is from Carroll County, and told HAT, “Satellite auto-steer has made things much easier. You’re not near as tired at night. You can put people on not quite as experienced, but the younger aged know computers real well, so it’s easier for them to learn to drive tractors.”HAT heard of a range of thoughts about what the master farmers of the next generation will need to succeed. R.D Wolheter from northeast Indiana points to people management skills. “The Master Farmers in the future are going to be more like a CEO. Because of the size of operations they have to know how to manage the people, motivate the people, and get the excellent quality of work out of people. We use part time help. My son and I have no fulltime labor, but we have some very dedicated people willing to work and only go on three or fours sleep when it’s busy. In the future, that may not be the case. You may have to have set crews that only work a certain number of hours.”
Chris Mann from Putnam County puts producer education at the top of his list. He says, “You have to have education to be able to market your grain, manage your finances, and then all the agronomic changes that are occurring. It’s just tremendously important to have a good, strong education. For a young person, I couldn’t recommend anything more important than to focus on their education. Once you get that knowledge foundation you can somewhat learn on your own, but education I think is by far the most important, and the ability to work hard. Nothing comes easy in life, and you just have to get up and strap your work boots on everyday, and just go at.”Mann added, “There will be days that things aren’t going to go your way, but if you keep at it long enough, the victories will outweigh the losses and you’ll gain success in life.”Also honored Thursday were Rodney Hager of Orleans and Honorary Master Farmer Bruce McKenzie, who retired from Purdue in 1993. In the coming weeks HAT will feature the four 2009 Master Farmer winners.Indiana Prairie Farmer, Purdue Extension, and the Purdue College of Agriculture present the annual event.Pictured left to right is the 2009 Master Farmer Class: McKenzie, Wolheter, Robeson, Hager, and Mann.
The level of experience of the newest crop of Indiana Master Farmers, introduced at Beck’s Ag Center at Purdue yesterday, ranges from fifteen years to nearly fifty years. They can all agree that changes during their time in farming include technology, like computers and the size and capability of equipment.Master Farmer Maurice Robeson is from Carroll County, and told HAT, “Satellite auto-steer has made things much easier. You’re not near as tired at night. You can put people on not quite as experienced, but the younger aged know computers real well, so it’s easier for them to learn to drive tractors.”HAT heard of a range of thoughts about what the master farmers of the next generation will need to succeed. R.D Wolheter from northeast Indiana points to people management skills. “The Master Farmers in the future are going to be more like a CEO. Because of the size of operations they have to know how to manage the people, motivate the people, and get the excellent quality of work out of people. We use part time help. My son and I have no fulltime labor, but we have some very dedicated people willing to work and only go on three or fours sleep when it’s busy. In the future, that may not be the case. You may have to have set crews that only work a certain number of hours.”
Chris Mann from Putnam County puts producer education at the top of his list. He says, “You have to have education to be able to market your grain, manage your finances, and then all the agronomic changes that are occurring. It’s just tremendously important to have a good, strong education. For a young person, I couldn’t recommend anything more important than to focus on their education. Once you get that knowledge foundation you can somewhat learn on your own, but education I think is by far the most important, and the ability to work hard. Nothing comes easy in life, and you just have to get up and strap your work boots on everyday, and just go at.”Mann added, “There will be days that things aren’t going to go your way, but if you keep at it long enough, the victories will outweigh the losses and you’ll gain success in life.”Also honored Thursday were Rodney Hager of Orleans and Honorary Master Farmer Bruce McKenzie, who retired from Purdue in 1993. In the coming weeks HAT will feature the four 2009 Master Farmer winners.Indiana Prairie Farmer, Purdue Extension, and the Purdue College of Agriculture present the annual event.Pictured left to right is the 2009 Master Farmer Class: McKenzie, Wolheter, Robeson, Hager, and Mann.
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