Master Farmers, all for one and one for all.

Three Brothers Join Dad as Indiana Master Farmers

Posted on 25 December 2012 by Andy Eubank

Christmas celebrations usually are a special time for family to gather, and this summer there was a unique family element to the Master Farmer banquet in Plymouth. Three brothers were nominated and selected individually. And the selection of Kerry, Kim, and Kent Ames of Putnam County comes ten years after their father Kenny became a Master Farmer.

It’s the first time for 3 brothers to be so honored, and oldest brother Kerry says it’s the only way he would have felt right about being a Master Farmer.

“We are a family partnership. We’ve been a partnership for 25 years or over and it started with our dad and the three of us and we’re still together. To be able to do it as the three of us that have worked together, and we’ve kind of split responsibilities and have since we started up a long time ago, that just makes it right.”

What makes the 5,000 acre corn and soybean farm run smoothly is each brother filling a niche that suits him well.

“Kim takes care of a lot of the marketing. Kent is the more mechanical one of us as far as maintenance and looking after machinery, and I kind of look over the books and tax accounting and working with our lenders.”

Kerry says the operation is now moving into the era of bringing in a new generation of family farmers, “which is really neat but presents its own challenges, but we’re going now to my sons and two of my nephews who are there all the time. There are six of us there all the time so we’re trying to add now and expand the roles and maybe expand into some different areas trying to increase, if not in acres maybe increase in efficiency or increase our operation in maybe new areas that we haven’t been in before.”

Congratulations to Kerry, Kim and Kent Ames who join Ed Carmichael, Gene Schmidt, and Bill Schroeder as 2012 Master Farmers. The annual awards are presented by Indiana Prairie Farmer, Purdue Extension and Purdue College of Agriculture.

A Reminder of our Christmas times on the Dairy

Christmas on our family Dairy starts out like any other day with the alarm ringing at 5 am telling me its time to head to the barn.  Santa’s helpers were busy late that night making sure all the gifts were wrapped and stockings were stuffed so I tiptoed out of the house to the barn as quiet as a mouse.  I reached the barn and begin the daily ritual of starting the pipeline rinse, turning on the heater in the parlor and preparing the feed troughs for the cows.  Next, I remind the cows what time it is as many have already made their way to the barn for the morning milking.  Some of them usually decide to sleep in so it’s off to the pasture to round everybody up.  It’s a good chilly walk as far as ½ mile to the back of the pasture in the cold morning air.  Counting as I go so I know when I’ve got all the cows heading to the barn I head back to the barn singing Christmas carols on the way with the occasional moo approval of the cows.  After the cows are locked in the holding pen its back to the milk house to finish getting ready to milk.  Carrying the milkers into the parlor and connecting the pipeline to the bulk tank would complete the preparation along with getting all the teat dips and frost guard to protect the teats after each cow is milked.  At 6 a.m. cows enter the parlor 4 on a side and I begin prepping and milking them 4 at a time.  Milking the cows normally takes about an hour.  Back in the house the kids begin to stir in anticipation of seeing what Santa left.  They also begin to shout to their mom asking how long they would have to wait.  Back at the barn around 7 a.m. the cows have been milked and cleaning begins.  The barn is washed out, the milkers are cleaned and the pipeline begins its wash cycle.  The kids get excited when they hear the silo begin pouring out silage and the conveyer and bunk feeder motors are fired up to distribute the cows forage for the morning.  While the cows are being fed I continue to feed the calves and heifers their morning diet.  Milk for some, feed for others and water for all of them.  Real cold mornings mean taking time to bust some ice.  With the silage feeding complete I make one final walk through the milk house and parlor to make sure all the work is done.  Usually about 8 a.m. or so I make it back to the house and find a good seat to watch the kids run to the tree and find the one present Santa had left them unwrapped along with a well filled stocking full of goodies.  Can we open more shouts the kids but mom says not till we’ve had some cinnamon rolls and milk.  After the quick breakfast everyone begins opening the packages under the tree.  Play time is short as there are grandparents to visit.  By late morning everyone enjoys the company of all the family at grandpa’s house to open more presents and enjoy a great Christmas lunch.  About 4 p.m. I head to the barn for another 2-3 hours work in milking and feeding the cows and heifers.  This time some of the other family members offer some help and things go a little faster.  A nice dinner of leftovers is enjoyed by all and then it’s off to bed as 5 a.m. will come again tomorrow to start another day on the Dairy.

HSUS at it again

Consumer Alert Ad Exposes HSUS’s Misleading Fundraising Campaigns

Posted on 18 December 2012 by Gary Truitt

Just in time for the holiday giving season, HumaneWatch.org, a project of the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), is issuing a consumer alert reminding Americans to be wary of the deceptive fundraising practices of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The ad, airing nationally on Fox News beginning today, highlights HSUS’s duplicitous fundraising practices—85 percent of the animals in its fundraising commercials are dogs and cats, yet less than one percent of the money HSUS raises from the public goes to local, hands-on pet shelters. The ad also encourages Americans to give directly to their local pet shelters to make the greatest impact in their community. HSUS’s 2011 tax return indicates that many Americans are already wising up to the animal rights group’s deceptive practices. Contributions and grants to HSUS went down by about $8.5 million in 2011 compared to 2010, for an overall decrease of 6.5 percent. Within the same year, local pet shelters experienced a six percent increase in public contributions, according to IRS data. “HSUS uses emotionally manipulative ads to raise money on the backs of abandoned and abused dogs and cats, yet it gives just one penny of each dollar it raises to local pet shelters,” said CCF Senior Research Analyst J. Justin Wilson. “HumaneWatch.org wants to ensure that donations go to support the cause donors intend. If they want their dollars to aid cats and dogs in their community they should give directly to local pet shelters instead of inadvertently bankrolling HSUS’s aggressive PETA-like agenda.”

Nationally, HSUS shared less than one percent of its $127 million budget with pet sheltering organizations in 2011. In the same year, HSUS spent nearly $50 million on fundraising-related expenses, which is 100 times more than it did on grants to support shelter aid. HSUS also socked $2.4 million away into its pension plan. “HSUS knows full well that the American public experiences ‘humane society’ brand confusion, yet they continue to mislead the public with multi-million dollar ad campaigns,” remarked Wilson. “This holiday season don’t be fooled by HSUS’s misleading fundraising ads; giving directly to your local shelter will do the most to benefit the neediest animals in your community.”

Indiana Farm Bureau Convention report

     Returned from Convention last Saturday and instead of reprinting some of their news reports I will try to give you what Patti and I can recall participating in.  We arrived at the Indiana Farm Bureau office at about 11a.m. on Thursday to attend the new County President meeting.  Introductions was one of the main focus points as all the new Presidents introduced themselves and told us a little about their County Farm Bureaus and their occupations.  During the meeting I was able to talk to Dr. Julie Volbers-Klarich who is the Professional Development Coordinator.  Julie will be attending our January meeting to discuss our Mission and Vision Statements and how it relates to our responsibilities as Farm Bureau directors.  She has also agreed to be our guest speaker at our annual meeting scheduled for Feb. 22 at noon in the Fairgrounds Community Building.  After lunch we headed to the JW Marriott and got checked in before our 2 pm County Leaders meeting.  We were assigned seats and met several other County Leaders as we discussed various thoughts and questions concerning Farm Bureau.  Friday began with more leadership training as I attended the Public Relations session, Patti attended the session for Secretaries, David Greenburg attended the session for Policy Chairs.  During the convention we attended the Trade Show at various times.  Patti did some Gourd Painting and I attended a program on Grain Bin Safety.  On Saturday Patti and I were the top bidder on an item provided for the Young Farmer Silent Auction.  David was able to attend the Fertilizer Use Regulations session and I attended the Legislative session with Former Republican Chair Mike McDaniel and Democrat chair Robin Winston.  The first general session was highlighted by many awards being presented.  Friday afternoon I attended the County Gov. Budget issues session along with our State Rep. Jim Baird.  Patti and I were also able to catch the Young Farmer Discussion Meet Finals that afternoon.  On Saturday we visited the trade show along with attending a session on Building Consumer Confidence and Trust in Today's Agriculture presented by a representative of the US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance.  During the closing general session I received the County Recognition award for our county's work for the year.  Patti, Dave, and I finished up the convention with the delegate session where Don Villwock was re-elected State FB President.  Those attending the Convention from Putnam County included Steve and Patti Cash, David Greenburg, and Mark and Phyllis Legan.

Farmland Property Tax Fix

Property Tax Fix For Farmland Looks Certain

Posted on 03 December 2012 by Gary Truitt

Bob Kraft

While in Washington there is still no agreement on estate and other federal tax issues, it is a different story in Indianapolis. Bob Kraft, with Indiana Farm Bureau, says the incoming Governor, Lt. Governor, and General Assembly are all in agreement that the productivity formula on farmland needs to be eliminated.  Kraft told HAT that lawmakers plan to tie the hands of the bureaucrats who want to raise farmland assessments significantly, “The Governor, Lt. Governor, and Legislature understand the issue far better than the Department of Local Government Finance. I think we are going to see some efforts to tie the hands of the DLGF.”

Kraft says the move last year by the state agency to force changes in the productivity factor, which would have increased some farmland tax rates by 35%, did not sit well with farmers, but it also did not sit well with legislators who felt the state agency was overstepping its authority, “I think their efforts to make changes unilaterally have been very ill-received by the General Assembly.”  Kraft says, with the support of Farm Bureau members, it should be possible to delay any changes in the productivity factor for at least another year, perhaps indefinitely, “or at least until a better solution is found.”

Lt. Governor Ellspermann has gone on record as saying a one year delay in the assessment will be introduced in the upcoming session.  Kraft said it is likely lawmakers will make it impossible for state agencies to make any major changes in farmland assessment protocols without the consent of the General Assembly.

  

Indiana Farm Bureau State Convention "For all FB members"

Pre-registration for the 94th annual Indiana Farm Bureau state convention ends soon. The convention at the JW Marriott is December 7^th and 8^th and the planners have prepared events that will help members “Engage” in opportunities that can help with family farm decision making.

Kim Vail, Director of Organizational Development for IFB, says valuable breakout sessions all day Friday and Saturday morning include starting a retail agriculture venture.

“And that breakout is titled ‘Is Entrepreneurship for You?’ (Friday, Dec. 7, from 10-11 a.m.) and it really tries to focus in on what we see as a trend that’s been going on recently in Indiana agriculture of looking for other ways to add value to the products that we produce on the farm and what it takes to build that business and harness that passion that entrepreneur might have.”

Another session deals with establishing a successful cover crops program, 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, and this convention is a good place to be coming off the drought of 2012.

“There are going to be a number of opportunities not only in the breakout sessions but also when we really have nothing planned or scheduled that are opportunities for farmers to network and have those specific conversations about how they dealt with what we’ve endured this past summer,” Vail told HAT. “We also have a breakout session on Saturday that talks about the competing demands on our water resources and how that’s going to impact us in the future.”

Pre-register online through this Friday November 30^th. “And that doesn’t mean that if you don’t pre-register that you cannot attend. We will be able to register you on sight as well. And we do look forward to seeing as many people there as can make it.”

The most current schedule can be found on the convention website, and here is the link for registering.

Property Tax Relief

Property Tax Relief Top Ag Priority for Ellspermann

Posted on 18 November 2012 by Gary Truitt

Sue Ellspermann

Indiana Lt. Governor-elect Sue Ellspermann is wasting no time in dealing with tough agricultural issues. Still well over a month away from taking office, she is speaking out about her top priority for agriculture in 2013: property taxes. Last year state government attempted to use a controversial and outdated formula for determining the productivity of farmland.  The soil fertility formula would have resulted in substantial increases in farmland assessments, in some cases increasing taxes on farmland as much as a 35%.  Indiana Farm Bureau lobbied hard and obtained a 1 year delay in the implementation of the formula by the General Assembly. Sue Ellspermann told HAT that getting another 1 year extension is a top priority for the incoming Pence administration, “One thing we do need to get done in the first quarter of 2013 is the property tax assessment fix.” She favors a 1 year hold on implementing the soil productivity factor and then do a comprehensive benchmark study on other states to assess their taxation approach to farmland, “And, from this, develop the best model for Indiana.” She said implementation of that model would not likely take place until 2014.

Ellspermann believes that a better system can be found, but it will require some time and research which is something she hopes to get out of the General Assembly in the upcoming session.  She said legislation will be introduced to deal with the farmland tax issue, “Yes, legislation dealing with this issue will be introduced.” She did not give details on who would be sponsoring the bill, but gave the impression plans were already in the works.

Research by Purdue University supports the claim that the formula being proposed by the state is inaccurate and outdated.  Making changes in the soil productivity factor was part of the Pence/Ellspermann plan for agriculture outlined during their campaign.

Ellspermann also told HAT work would begin early in 2013 on the Agriculture Innovation Corridor, another key component in her campaign platform. She indicated the first step in the process would be gather all the players together in this proposed public/private partnership. A recommendation of the Indiana Biocrossroads study, the Innovation Corridor would be bring together research efforts to drive innovations in agriculture and to center those research efforts in Indiana.

Putnam Co. Election Results

Putnam County Election Results

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Greencastle Banner-Graphic

County ElectionsCounty Auditor
Laurie Hallett -- 8865 (66.43 percent)
Wilma Phipps -- 4480 (33.57 percent)

County Commissioner District 1
David E. Berry (Rep.) -- 7610 (57.46 percent)
Jeffrey Oliver Blaydes (Dem.) -- 3,925 (29.64 percent)
Charlie Boller (Ind.) -- 1,709 (12.90 percent)

County Council At-Large
Gene R. Beck (Rep.) -- 9,124
Larry L. Parker (Rep.) -- 7,954
Phillip J. Gick (Rep.) -- 7,750

County Treasurer
Sharon Owens -- 10,515 (100 percent)

County Coroner
David R. Brown (Rep.) -- 10,147 (100 percent)

County Commissioner District 3
Donald K. Walton (Rep.)

North Putnam School Board -- Russell Township
Darrell Wiatt -- 218 (69.87 percent)
Jacquelyn Simpson -- 94 (30.13 percent)

North Putnam School Board -- Monroe Township
James Bowling -- 296 (54.71 percent)
Dustin Osborn -- 245 (45.29 percent)

North Putnam School Board -- Franklin Township
Jill Summerlot -- 454 (100 percent)

North Putnam School Board -- At-Large
Mark Hoke -- 3,075 (100 percent)

Cloverdale School Board -- Cloverdale Township (Includes Owen County precinct)
Donna Fidler -- 1,559
Christopher Mann -- 1,296
Rob Schroer -- 1,174
Tim Powell -- 1,102
Kaufman -- 921

Cloverdale School Board -- Jackson Township
Barbara B. Nees -- 1,230

South Putnam School Board -- At-Large
Anthony Heavin -- 1,676 (66.04 percent)
Trisha Shrader -- 862 (33.96 percent)

South Putnam School Board -- Washington Township
Angie Nichols -- 1,634 (65.41 percent)
Tim McKean -- 864 (34.59 percent)

South Putnam School Board -- Marion Township
Steven E. Cash -- 2,129 (100 percent)

New National FFA Officers

New National FFA Officer Team Announced as Indianapolis Convention Concludes

Posted on 27 October 2012 by Andy Eubank

Six students from across the U.S. have been chosen by their peers to help lead and shape the National FFA Organization as national FFA officers in 2012-13.

Today at the conclusion of the 2012 National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, University of Florida at Gainesville student Clay Sapp was elected to serve as National FFA president.

“It will be my mission to activate change and growth in the National FFA Organization,” he said. “I plan to develop strong relationships, be a champion of FFA and agricultural education and seek new ways to strengthen student experiences within FFA.”

Joining Sapp on the 2012-13 National FFA Officer team are Kalie Hall of Georgia as national secretary, Joenelle Futrell of Kentucky as Eastern Region vice president, Lindsey Anderson of California as Western Region vice president, Brennan Costello of Nebraska as Central Region vice president and Wiley Bailey as Southern Region vice president.

For the next year, the group will travel more than 100,000 miles across the country to engage top leaders in business, government and education. The national officers will lead personal growth and leadership training seminars for FFA members. The team will help set policies that will guide the future of FFA and promote agricultural literacy.

“It takes a highly motivated person to become a successful national FFA officer,” said National FFA Organization CEO Dr. Dwight Armstrong. “It is an opportunity afforded to just a few of our members. As a national officer, the lives of these six individuals will be non-stop hard work with never-ending commitments where every moment counts.”

Indiana candidate Micah Matlock, although breaking through to the top 20, did not make it to the final 6.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 557,318 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,498 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Know the Judges on the Ballot!

Nearly 300 people gathered on the steps of the Indiana Statehouse Wednesday, many calling for the recall of Indiana Supreme Court Justice Steven H. David. Justice David authored the recent high court ruling that held individuals don’t have the right to resist police who enter their home, even if those entries are illegal.

Justice David spoke about the salaries, which account for about $97 million in the state budget. He told lawmakers how the recently passed Ways and Means Committee budget prohibits judges, prosecutors, state-funded magistrates and deputy prosecutors from receiving any pay adjustments for two years regardless of whether state employees get an increase – a move that specifically reverses a 2005 statutory change to how trial judge compensation is tied to those state worker hikes.

“We seek no special treatment for the men and women who serve as judicial officers and prosecutors across this great state and who administer the people’s business in the local courthouses,” he said. “We only ask that they be treated in the upcoming biennium in the same way that the legislature and governor intended and agreed that they would be treated in the 2005 legislation.”

Justice Rucker testified about the public defense funding, which accounts for about $13 million currently. In the budget proposal submitted last fall, the court asked for a $3.15 million annual increase in public defense funding because of five additional counties – Delaware, Hamilton, Huntington, Lawrence, and Marshall – that will qualify for reimbursement at the start of the next biennium.  The state reimburses some of the defense costs for counties meeting certain standards, and the court says the general fund appropriation needed is $16 million rather than $12.85 million included in the budget passed by the House Ways and Means Committee.

“We were told they would do their best with us,” Dolan said.

Justice Robert Rucker says his four Indiana Supreme Court colleagues have issued a ruling that transforms millions of law-abiding residents into traffic offenders.

The four-justice majority on Thursday decided that state law makes it illegal to display temporary license plates in a vehicle's rear window, and that those paper or cardboard plates must comply with the same statute governing permanent metal plates. That holding came in Kerry L. Meredith v. State of Indiana, 89S04-0808-CR-430, and was echoed in the shorter companion case of Jeffrey Young v. State, 49S02-0905-CR-252.

"A drive down nearly any Indiana street on any given day will reveal Hoosier motorists applying old-fashioned common sense: attaching temporary paper tags to the inside of the back window in order protect them from deterioration by the elements," Justice Rucker wrote in Meredith. "By today's decision the majority has transformed law-abiding citizens into traffic offenders. This is patently wrong in my view; therefore I dissent."

Judge John G. Baker was named to the Court of Appeals in 1989, which makes him the longest-serving member on the current Court. He is Presiding Judge of the Court’s First District, which covers all of southern Indiana, and he served as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals from 2007-2010

 Judge Nancy H. Vaidik is a judge on the Fifth District Court of Appeals.  As far as I can tell, the question of her retention is statewide on all Indiana ballots.  She was appointed by Governor Frank O’Bannon in 2000, and retained by voters in 2002.   

Sample ballot

The ballot for Marion North in Putnam County. Indiana

US PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT MITT ROMNEY REPUBLICAN US PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA DEMOCRATIC US PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT GARY JOHNSON LIBERTARIAN UNITED STATES SENATOR RICHARD E. MOURDOCK REPUBLICAN UNITED STATES SENATOR JOE DONNELLY DEMOCRATIC UNITED STATES SENATOR ANDREW "ANDY" HORNING LIBERTARIAN GOVERNOR & LT. GOVERNOR MIKE PENCE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR & LT. GOVERNOR JOHN R. GREGG DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR & LT. GOVERNOR RUPERT BONEHAM LIBERTARIAN ATTORNEY GENERAL GREG ZOELLER REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL KAY FLEMING DEMOCRATIC SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TONY BENNETT REPUBLICAN SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION GLENDA RITZ DEMOCRATIC UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE - DISTRICT 4 TODD ROKITA REPUBLICAN UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE - DISTRICT 4 TARA E. NELSON DEMOCRATIC UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE - DISTRICT 4 BENJAMIN J. GEHLHAUSEN LIBERTARIAN STATE SENATOR - DISTRICT 24 PETE MILLER REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR - DISTRICT 24 CHARLES ALBERT BENDER DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE - DISTRICT 044 JAMES (JIM) BAIRD REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE - DISTRICT 044 RICHARD THOMPSON DEMOCRATIC COUNTY AUDITOR LORIE L HALLETT REPUBLICAN COUNTY AUDITOR WILMA PHIPPS DEMOCRATIC COUNTY TREASURER SHARON OWENS REPUBLICAN COUNTY CORONER DAVID R (DAVE) BROWN REPUBLICAN COUNTY COMMISSIONER - DISTRICT 1 DAVID E BERRY REPUBLICAN COUNTY COMMISSIONER - DISTRICT 3 DONALD K WALTON REPUBLICAN COUNTY COMMISSIONER - DISTRICT 1 JEFFREY OLIVER BLAYDES DEMOCRATIC COUNTY COMMISSIONER - DISTRICT 1 CHARLIE BOLLER INDEPENDENT COUNTY COUNCIL AT-LARGE GENE R BECK REPUBLICAN COUNTY COUNCIL AT-LARGE PHILLIP J (PHIL) GICK REPUBLICAN COUNTY COUNCIL AT-LARGE LARRY L PARKER REPUBLICAN SOUTH PUTNAM SCH BRD MEMBER - MARION TOWNSHIP STEVEN E CASH NON PARTISAN SOUTH PUTNAM SCH BRD MEMBER - AT LARGE - PUTNAM COUNTY ANTHONY HEAVIN NON PARTISAN SOUTH PUTNAM SCH BRD MEMBER - WASHINGTON TWP TIM MCKEAN NON PARTISAN SOUTH PUTNAM SCH BRD MEMBER - WASHINGTON TWP ANGIE NICHOLS NON PARTISAN SOUTH PUTNAM SCH BRD MEMBER - AT LARGE - PUTNAM COUNTY TRISHA SHRADER NON PARTISAN

Public Question Details

The search result set grid below displays all of the public questions that will be on your ballot during the next election. Please note that this list of public questions is supplied and maintained by the Indiana Election Division and counties. If this information appears to be incorrect or incomplete, please contact the Indiana Election Division. Please see the “County Contact” and “Indiana Election Division” tabs below to contact either the Indiana Election Division or your county election board. Category Title Public Question Supreme Court Justice Retention (1) JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT Shall Justice Robert D. Rucker be retained in office? Supreme Court Justice Retention (2) JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT Shall Justice Steven H. David be retained in office? Court of Appeals Judge Retention (3) JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS Shall Judge Nancy H. Vaidik be retained in office? Court of Appeals Judge Retention (4) JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA, FIRST DISTRICT Shall Judge John G. Baker be retained in office?

Halloween Time - Protect those with Food Allergies

SAFE CANDY LIST!

by AllergyMoms on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 1:52pm ·

AllergyMoms 31 Food Allergy Friendly Halloween Candies

By Gina Clowes

There is no such thing as a completely "safe" candy or snack. What is safe for one child could be harmful to another.

However, we all need a place to start. The treats listed below are free of many (but not all) of the major allergens.  Check the labels and the websites, and call manufacturers to find out if they are safe for your child.  

Keep in mind: Ingredients change without notice; different sizes of the "same" candy can have different ingredients, and different versions of the same candy always have different ingredients. Precautionary labels (ie. "may contain") are voluntary.     

Read the label every time. When in doubt, call the manufacturer or do without.  Happy Halloween!  

Airheads www.airheads.com  Multi-colored and flavored taffy strips.

Bottlecaps www.wonka.com  Soda flavored candy. (Root beer, orange etc.)  

Divvies  www.divvies.com  Chocolate ghosts, Halloween jelly beans, caramel and kettle corn, all made to share!    

Dots  www.tootsie.com  Candy corn dots are safe for many too!

Dum Dums  www.dumdumpops.com These, (along with Smarties) are food allergy family favorites as they are safe for a variety of allergies.

Enjoy Life Chocolate Bars  www.enjoylifefoods.com  Three varieties. My kids love the crispy rice milk chocolate.

Frito Lay  www.fritolay.com  Regular Lay's potato chips, Ruffles, Tostitos, and Fritos are safe for many allergies.  

 .

Fun Dip www.wonka.com  Candy stick + candy dip = Fun!

Gimbals Jelly Beans www.gimbalscandy.com  Very allergy aware company.

Hot Tamales www.hottamales.com   Similar to Mike & Ikes with cinnamon flavor.

Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum www.wrigley.com  My kids love the bubble tape version.

Jolly Ranchers www.hersheys.com/jolly-rancher  Sticks and hard candy.

Jujubes (and Jujyfruits) http://www.farleysandsathers.com  Great for decorating cakes and cookies too.

Life Savers (hard candies & gummies) www.life-savers.com  My kids love the gummy variety.

Mike & Ike www.mikeandike.com  Popular movie candy.

Necco Wafers www.necco.com  Oldie but goodie shows up a lot at Halloween.

Nerds www.wonka.com  My son and his friends love these sugary nuggets.

Nik-L-Lip  www.tootsie.com  Those cute little wax bottles with colored sugar water inside.

Pez www.pez.com  Fun, convenient and safe for most allergies. A clever Pez dispenser is good for trading unsafe candy.

Pixy Stix www.wonka.com  Messy but fun. Teens like the larger size.

Pure Fun www.organiccandy.com  Tasty way to avoid dyes and gmo's.

Razzles www.tootsie.com  First it's a candy, then it's a gum!

Saf-T-Pops http://www.spanglercandy.com/ Fun first lollipop from an allergy-aware company.

Skittles www.skittles.com  A "safe" candy that is a Halloween favorite.

Smarties (US version)  www.smarties.com  These are a favorite for many allergy moms. Safe for many allergies.  Smarties pops are good too!

Sour Patch Kids  www.sourpatch.com  Tangy, sweet-sour gummy candy.

Spree (regular only) www.wonka.com Chewy variety contains egg.

Starburst www.starburst.com Another allergy mom favorite.

Surf Sweets  http://www.surfsweets.com   Organic gummy bears, worms and jelly beans free of dyes and all common allergens.

Swedish fish www.swedishfish.com  These little red fish are another Halloween favorite.

SweeTarts www.wonka.com  Regular only as chewy sweetarts contain egg.

Wack-o-wax (wax lips) www.wonka.com Red lips or the vampire teeth anyone?

Warheads www.warheads.com  Super sour candy not for the faint of heart.

Yummy Earth www.yummyearth.com Organic lollipops, drops and other dye-free candy.  

(c) AllergyMoms.com 2012

What is your favorite Halloween Candy?

HSUS Now Goes After The Pork Checkoff

Sep. 28, 2012 8:13amby Troy Marshall in My View From The Country

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HSUS announced this week a lawsuit against USDA over intellectual property payments the National Pork Board makes to the National Pork Producers Council.

RELATED MEDIA

OCM, HSUS Team Up To Attack Checkoff

One thing you have to give the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) is that the organization is consistent. HSUS has made it clear – oppose us and you will pay a price.

That’s essentially what HSUS telegraphed when it provided the money and intellectual capital to allow theOrganization for Competitive Markets (OCM) and Mike Callicrate to sue the national beef checkoff. HSUS made it clear the move was payback for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) having thwarted the HSUS effort in Congress to pass poultry legislation in the 2012 session. Of course, NCBA wasn’t alone; the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) was also instrumental in helping defeat the HSUS legislation.

So it came as no surprise this week when HSUS announced it is suing USDA over the payments that NPPC receives via the national pork checkoff. Admittedly, there was very little of the populist rhetoric that was employed with last month’s lawsuit against the national beef checkoff; there were no claims about protecting the interest of producers, for instance.

HSUS, however, was pretty open that its latest action in the courts is payback for opposing the poultry legislation. HSUS was able to find a single pork producer, as they did with Callicrate in the beef checkoff suit, to serve as a front man for the action.

HSUS’s lawsuit is over the intellectual property payments that the National Pork Board, the USDA-appointed body that oversees the national pork checkoff, makes to the NPPC for the rights to the slogan “Pork, The Other White Meat,” which NPPC owns. HSUS claims the payment is too high and is illegal, as it’s just a way to funnel checkoff dollars toward lobbying, which the Act and Order forbids. But the HSUS press release announcing the lawsuit made it clear that its legal action was mainly payback for NPPC’s support of sow gestation stalls, which HSUS opposes.

A Closer Look: McDonald’s Gestation Stall Policy Means Higher Costs

The “Other White Meat” campaign is one of the most successful advertising campaigns ever employed by a commodity product. Though the National Pork Board has moved to a new marketing slogan, consumers still identify and remember the tag line, which was replaced with “Pork. Be Inspired” a few years back. In fact, the “White Meat” campaign was so successful that it caused the U.S. beef industry conniptions because it seemed to denigrate red meat at the same time it pushed the acceptability of pork.

I suppose the bottom-line question is whether the agreement for NPPC’s intellectual property is fair or not? Personally, I find the value of phrases, naming rights and intellectual property a little incredulous. At the same time, however, I also acknowledge that the phrase “pink slime” was a game changer for lean finely textured beef. And, obviously, the success of numerous products underscores the effectiveness of the billions spent on marketing slogans.

It’s true that a total of $60 million over 20 years is a lot of money, but we see astronomical figures being paid for the naming rights of sports stadiums and it looks insignificant. Forbes magazine recently published an article estimating the trademark value for companies like Google, AT&T, Apple and GE, and the values ranged from $20-$35 billion dollars – yes, with a “B.”

HSUS is not foolish enough to try and challenge intellectual property right laws, while NPPC has every right to sell the rights to use the slogan it owns. But HSUS will try and make the case that the National Pork Board’s payment to NPPC is designed to circumvent the laws surrounding the checkoff. Much like OCM and Callicrate’s beef lawsuit, the action may not be as much about winning the lawsuit as forcing the opponent to defend it. The defense will likely involve millions of dollars that the pork industry thus won’t be able to spend on lobbying.

The big difference between the pork and beef checkoff lawsuits is that HSUS is actually a party to the pork lawsuit. They have abandoned the rhetoric that HSUS was somehow doing this to benefit producers. If there was ever any doubt, the second suit makes it clear that HSUS is committed to bringing about the demise of the checkoff programs, or at the least harming the entities that have opposed their attacks on the livestock industry. Any dollars siphoned away from these commodity groups in legal defense costs means those dollars aren’t available for use in fighting HSUS in the legislative arena. 

Industry Resource Page: What You Need To Know About Animal Activists

It appears that the beef and pork checkoffs are under a full assault by HSUS, and the entities that represent the largest number of producers will be forced to fight for the checkoffs or give up any role in the checkoff programs. If the activist efforts are successful, the effect is that mainstream producers will have to leave the governance and control of the checkoffs in the hands of a very small minority.

The U.S. pork industry is very concentrated, which means the vast majority of its checkoff assessments originate from a rather limited number of producers. The Pork Act & Order is mandatory, but if it were ever rescinded, the pork industry probably wouldn't find it hard to fund its promotion and research efforts via other means. Ironically, this would be a disaster for HSUS because the restrictions prohibiting lobbying under the current Act & Order would be removed.

The cattle industry, however, would find it much more difficult to fund demand-building activities, given the number of producers. But if HSUS is successful in eliminating any input by mainstream producers, it’s likely the beef industry might look at alternative funding resources as well. 

The logic for the checkoff programs is obvious, and the programs’ successes in building demand has been phenomenal. But it’s doubtful that the large producer groups will be able to continue to spend millions defending these programs from legal attacks from deep-pocketed groups like HSUS. We may see the end of the federally mandated checkoff programs as a result. 

Meet the Candidates

Putnam County Farm Bureau, Inc. will be hosting a Meet the Candidate Forum at 7 pm on Oct. 9, 2012 in the Community Building at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.  As in the past the candidates will be given time to introduce themselves and answer up to 3 questions of interest to the Agriculture community.  The public in invited and encouraged to attend.

Drought Grain Quality and Availability

2012 DROUGHT: GRAIN QUALITY & AVAILABILITY
BACKGROUND
The 2012 drought has brought on a set of market dynamics that are challenging for the grain industry. A warm, dry
winter led to ideal planting conditions in Indiana through June. A prolonged heat wave coupled with little-to-no rainfall
during prime pollination time caused Indiana’s – and the nation’s – corn crop to suffer. As of September 2, only 22
percent of the U.S. corn crop was rated good-to-excellent (8% in Indiana) with 10 percent of the crop harvested. In
addition to the expected short corn crop, grain quality may be an issue as conditions across the Corn Belt are conducive
for Aspergillus ear rot – a fungus that can produce a mycotoxin called aflatoxin which can harm livestock and humans.
Grain quality and availability will be major topics of discussion throughout the 2012 harvest and beyond. Grain farmers,
users of corn and soybeans (including livestock and biofuels producers), and grain buyers should be prepared.
As the 2012 harvest begins, what are some things to think about when looking to buy grain?
• Consider your grain needs for the year NOW and have a clear, written plan in place that addresses sources of
grain.
• Have a discussion with your local grain merchants NOW if you will need to buy grain this fall and into next year.
• Start your conversation about needing grain with grain merchants that you have done business with in the past.
Grain merchants will work with existing customers (who buy AND sell to them) first before accommodating new
customers.
• While harvest has just begun in Indiana, there are some concerns about grain quality after the difficult growing
season, including the possibility of aflatoxin in the corn crop. You can set quality parameters for the grain you
purchase this fall.
• While there may be grain quality discounts on incoming corn (for grain farmers) at grain elevators this year, this
does not necessarily mean grain will be available at lower prices for those looking to buy from elevators.
Does the Grain Indemnity Fund protect a grain farmer or grain elevator who sells directly to a farmer?
• Grain Elevators are never covered by the Grain Indemnity Fund, it is purely to protect the farmer in the event a
LICENSEE defaults.
• Grain elevator-to-farmer grain transactions are not covered by the Grain Indemnity Fund. This means that grain
merchants will more than likely ask for cash or a letter of credit from farmers seeking to purchase grain.
• Grain merchants may request pre-payment or letters of credit before selling grain directly to farmers, including
livestock operations. This is an unusual circumstance for many grain merchants so some additional steps may be
taken before they are comfortable selling grain to individual farms.
• Farmer-to-farmer grain transactions are not covered by the Grain Indemnity Fund, so if grain is bought this way,
buyers AND sellers need to take that into consideration. The exception is if the farmer buying the grain is
licensed by the Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency (IGBWLA). A complete list of licensed
grain buyers can be found at www.in.gov/isda/2399.htm.
Market drivers are pushing grain farmers and grain merchants to sell at harvest. What does this mean for those
looking to buy grain?
• Plan ahead for future needs when it comes to buying grain this fall.
• If grain is bought at harvest for future use, remember that storage fees will be paid on that grain.
• If a seller does not want to make you an offer for a deferred purchase, offer to buy today and pay storage fees
for future delivery.
What financial conversations should farmers have with the diminished crop this year?
• If you are facing a diminished crop or a lack of available grain to feed livestock, talk with your bank – and other
individuals and businesses you work with - about the situation now and what it means for your operation.
• If crop insurance payments for this year’s crop will be used to purchase grain (or other inputs) this fall, a
conversation between the buyer and seller is needed to understand the payment schedule. It is likely a
conversation between the farmer purchasing the grain and his/her bank would be useful under these
circumstances. The bank may need to issue a letter or credit, or extend credit based on the crop insurance.
What are some things for livestock farmers to keep in mind with the possibility of aflatoxin in the corn crop?
• Livestock farmers should consider testing corn that will be fed to be sure aflatoxin levels are in an acceptable
range. Approved labs for submitting corn samples are listed at
http://www.rma.usda.gov/fields/il_rso/2012/aflatoxin.pdf.
• There are quick tests that can be used to immediately to check for aflatoxin. Quick tests are not intended to
replace laboratory analysis, but can serve as a valuable resource to determine if aflatoxin is present.
o Charm Sciences Inc. - http://www.charm.com/
o EnviroLogix, Inc. - http://envirologix.com/
o Neogen Corporation - http://www.neogen.com/
o R-Biopharm - http://www.r-biopharm.com/
o Romer -http://www.romerlabs.com/
o Thermo Fisher Scientific Diagnostic - http://www.thermofisher.com/global/en/home.asp
o Vicam - http://vicam.com/
o A complete list of USDA approved quick tests can be found at www.gipsa.usda.gov/fgis/techservsup/
metheqp/GIPSA_Approved_Mycotoxin_Rapid_Test_Kits.pdf
• Livestock farmers need to remember that if aflatoxin is present in the corn, co-products (including DDGs) will
also be affected.
• If your corn tests positive for aflatoxin, consult your nutritionist to see about of developing a strategy for feeding
the contaminated corn. There might be a possibility to use some of the lesser quality corn depending on the
levels of aflatoxin present and the type of livestock you are feeding.
• Once there is aflatoxin in the grain, it doesn't get better in storage. This means that more corn may be sold at
harvest and that if stored corn is purchased, you need to have it tested before feeding it to your animals.
For more information, contact Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance at 1-800-735-0195 or
visit www.incorn.org and www.indianasoybean.com.