Peanut prices on the rise

According to the USDA, after unfortunate growing conditions of Runner peanuts, raw peanut prices went from $450 a ton in 2010 to costing almost $1200 a ton this year.

            Runner peanuts are used to make peanut butter so both consumers and producers will be affected by this change in price. Rick Whitacre, professor of agricultural economics, explained the reason behind the poor peanut harvest.

           “There are two things working here. First of all, in the southeastern portion of the United States, Georgia specificially, which is the largest peanut producing state, had a very difficult summer weather wise. Not enough rain fall and some very hot temperatures had a very dramatic impact on yields of peanuts. It resulted in a 2% increase in yields, but on top of that they had a reduction in acreage harvested of 11%,” Whitacre said.

            He concluded it was a combination of poor weather conditions and the 11% decrease in acres harvested than a year ago contributing to the low peanut yields.

Runner peanuts

            Tracy Widergren, marketing coordinator for Campus Dining Services, explained how this shortage will affect individuals from a consumer stand point.

            “In general, consumers will see changes in retail (grocery) stores in terms of packaging sizes, prices, or availability. For example, peanut butter companies may raise prices, or they may shrink packaging sizes but keep prices the same. You might also see higher prices in products that use peanuts as an ingredient, such as peanut M & Ms or Snicker bars. These products may become limited in availability, or the manufacturers may reduce the number of pieces/size of the products sold.  It will be interesting to see how manufacturers who produce peanut-related products will adjust to this shortage,” Widergren said.

            As far as a precautionary measure campus dining has taken, she said the executive chef keeps a close watch on the food industry in terms of crop and food production as well as manufacturing.

            “As soon as he [executive chef] became aware of the shortage, he immediately began making plans with our director to purchase a large enough peanut butter supply to keep our dining centers stocked with peanut butter through the end of the academic year (end of spring semester). The order was based on our average consumption in the dining centers, so we expect the supply to last through the spring semester. Any increase in student consumption could change these predictions and/or our supply, but we believe we have prepared sufficiently for the shortage,” Widergren said.

            Whitacre added this change in peanut yields/prices has left producers with mixed emotions.

            “They [producers] did have a decrease in production of 13%, but at the same time had an increase in prices of 100%. From a producer’s point of view, they may find themselves actually making more money this year than they did last year simply because of the higher prices they are receiving for their output,” Whitacre said.

            Both Whitacre and Widergren said there aren’t a lot of good substitutes for peanut butter.

            “There really aren't alternative options available to foodservice operations.  Many students may suggest a substitution such as Nutella. What students need to understand is that products like Nutella are available to retail customers (i.e. in grocery stores), not to foodservice operations like Campus Dining.  We buy peanut butter in such large quantities, so there is really no comparable product in terms of our usage/quantity needs,” Widergren added

Whitacre added that parents will continue to purchase peanut butter no matter the price since children consume such large amounts. 

Note: This is an article I wrote for ISU's newspaper, the Daily Vidette, but thought it was interesting to share.

Where has the time gone?

Where has the time gone? I can not believe Thanksgiving is less than a month away! I came upon this realization in class as final projects were being assigned, and realized just how fast time does go by. I concluded that I have not yet carved a pumpkin this fall (which will happen this week), or navigated my way through a corn maze. Growing up on the farm, there was always so much to be done during these fall months. From making apple sauce, to carving pumpkins, to harvesting, to hanging out with friends at a bon fire, to hay rack rides, to spending the day at an apple orchard/pumpkin patch, to riding horses, there was never a dull moment.

Being away at college, I have missed out on some of the simple pleasures of being on the farm. I realized today just how true this is. I want to tell you to take the time to enjoy the autumn season. It is not too late to head to your favorite orchard/pumpkin patch, or put your artistic talents to use by carving pumpkins. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it is not too early to practice some of those favorite recipes. With that said, seize the day, enjoy the rest of the fall season!

Buffalo

As a little girl, I remember Saturday mornings when my cousins and I would go feed the buffalo and deer at the wildlife park near my house in Wisconsin. I always thought it was so cool because who else got to feed buffalo at that young age, especially when there weren’t many buffalo left? After talking with Don Grubb from Buda, Illinois all these memories came tumbling back.

Don always knew he wanted to be a farmer. He and his wife, Arkie, raise Belted Galloway cattle, goats, four horses, and rent their farm land and hog farm out to surrounding farmers. The most unique thing about their farm is their small buffalo herd. One thing Don said you absolutely have to have when raising buffalo is a tall fence. He also explains the health benefits of eating buffalo versus other types of meat.

“Buffalo meat tastes like beef. If I didn’t tell you it was buffalo you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, but your doctor could tell the difference because it has about fourth as many fat grams as choice beef and it’s lower in cholesterol than chicken. Not only that, it tastes good. If you like beef, you’ll love buffalo,” Grubb said.

Grubb will be spending the winter in Arizona riding his horses in the mountains and then plans on heading to Texas to follow the rodeo circuit. If he could do his life all over again, he would not change one single thing.

To hear an interview with Don Grubb, click here http://www.box.net/shared/1xdkh2h0jcouknd8euct

Equine Therapy

The horse is a truly magnificent animal. Think of all the books and movies that have been created over the years starring a horse and owner. At the top of the list there is Black Beauty, Flicka, and Seabiscuit among numerous others. What is the common theme? Could it be the connection between horse and rider? John Yoder, out of Gridely Illinois, has been around horses his whole life. In his experiences he has noticed how horses can become far more than a friend to someone; they can help their riders overcome certain health/emotional obstacles known as equine therapy.

Equine therapy is becoming more and more popular as occupational, physical, and speech therapists turn to horses in order to get through to their patients. Horses help their riders learn coordination, communication, and responsibility among several other factors that people often overlook. Yoder sees, first hand, the positive effects of horses as his daughter, struggling with abnormal muscle tone, interacts with them. He enjoys seeing his hard work pay off as so many people can benefit from the responsibility that comes with riding horses.

“I want to help as many people as I can. We’re only here for a short time, and I want to make a difference. I really understand horses. I really love and appreciate horses. Horses can help people in so many ways that we don’t understand,” Yoder said.

The healing power of equine therapy

In his spare time, Yoder enjoys going on camping trips with his daughter, training horses for other people, and giving wagon rides at charitable functions.
To hear an interview with John Yoder, click here http://www.box.net/shared/m7t6v2pca25u7pe1geiq

Free Trade Agreements

Everyone is looking for ways to make more money, especially in today's economy. This is no different for corn farmers or anyone else linked to the agricultural community. The House and Senate should be applauded as they just passed the pending Free Trade Agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia last night. According to ilfb.org the passage of these agreements will boost U.S. agirculture exports by $2.5 billion and will create over 22,500 American jobs when it is all said and done.

As the United States is the world's largest corn producer and exporter, the passing of these FTA's will also create opportunities for customers in the livestock and poultry industries as well as the export of distillers grains. South Korea is the United States third largest corn market, and now corn and distillers grains will be guaranteed to enter duty-free as soon as possible. Colombia has been one of the top ten export markets for U.S. corn, but has decreased dramatically last year. Now, with the new FTA, U.S. corn producers will gain immediate access to the Colombian market 2.1 million metric tons of corn at zero percent duty. Finally, Panama is one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America, but has one of the highest tax on grains being imported into the country. The new FTA will work on lowering that so Panama and the United States will be on an equal playing field.



Members of the Free Trade Agreement


As I have been researching these new Free Trade Agreements and talking with farmers, I am finding that these new passages will boost economic growth as well as international competitiveness. What is your opinion of the Free Trade Agreements?

Rader Family Farm

Agri-tourism is becoming a popular activity as the gap between the agriculture community and the urban community continues to grow. Lynn and Linda Rader of Normal, Illinois have realized the need to keep the public informed about agriculture. They are grain farmers but started a pumpkin farm about 20 years ago. Starting out as a small business, that small pumpkin farm has turned into Rader Family Farms which now attracts thousands of people throughout the fall season. The Rader family is known for their tasty sweet corn as they have been selling this crop for years. There is something for everybody whether your interest lies within fresh baked goods, exploring a straw castle, corn maze, or going into a corn silo where children can actually play with the corn, feeding the miniature donkeys, lama, calf, goats, and/or chickens, or finally just enjoying being out in the country among several other activities. The Rader family strives to include the community with their bountiful harvest each year.



The Rader Family

“We have lots of field trips come out. The students have a four section field trip. They get to watch a farm video and eat some popcorn in our little school house which we are calling our ag education building. Every year we’ll add some more educational things. We really want to get some things about the wind turbines in there. We have something about the pumpkins life cycle right now, and we have some agricultural pictures in there. Then they go on a hayride, which is a very new experience for many of them, and they get to see the fields, the corn, the beans, and the pumpkins. They get to pick a pumpkin. Then they get to see several farm animals that we have and then their favorite part they get to play,” Rader said.

The weekend of October 15-16 is Reggie Day at Rader Family Farms. As their two sons graduated from the agriculture department at Illinois State University they were informed of the 100^th year anniversary so they’re partnering up to create a special event for faculty, students, and alumni. Lynn will be making his famous kettle corn to give to all alumni as well. To find out more about this local agri-tourism farm check out raderfamilyfarms.com. Whether you are an ISU student, faculty, alumni, or an ordinary family looking for something fun to do with the kids, Rader Family Farms has something for everyone.



Corn maze in the shape of Reggie in celebration of ISU agriculture

To hear an interview with Linda Rader click here http://www.box.net/shared/h9l6ybdbtp6gq1fap7al

How to grow GIANT pumpkins

Fall is a unique season, and personally my favorite, especially for farm families as they’re harvesting their crops. While many families enjoy carving pumpkins together, sipping hot apple cider, and then splurging on a giant piece of pumpkin pie, fall creates the perfect atmosphere for such activities. Especially for those competitive pumpkin growers as they work towards breaking the next record for the world’s largest pumpkin. Growing the next award winning, giant pumpkin can happen in your very own backyard, so take note because the next giant pumpkin could be grown by you!

Like anything else, beginner pumpkin growers receive an overwhelming amount of ideas and opinions of how they should conduct their pumpkin growing. Even though there seems to be one specific way to grow a pumpkin, many growers have varying tactics at how to grow their individual giant pumpkins. Among the varying opinions three staple hold true; one must have good seed, good soil, and above all good luck. Some pumpkin growers even attempt to set sail in their giant pumpkins.

pumpkin grower sailing in his giant pumpkin

To grow a giant pumpkin in your backyard, growers should invest in Howard Dill’s patented Atlantic Giant variety. No other variety has been the world champion since 1979 so the odds of having the next giant pumpkin would be in your favor. These seeds do extremely well in soil filled with organic matter. In the early spring add two to five yards per plant of cow or horse manure as these fertilizers work best. In the fall use chicken manure sparingly. The soil pH should be between 6.5 and 6.8. If you have found success managing a small vegetable garden, you will be able to handle growing giant pumpkins.

Start with a pH test in the fall by adding sulfur to lower the levels and lime to raise it. Plant one to two pounds of winter rye per 1000 square foot area to be plowed in the early spring. When starting the seed, they should be planted inside in six inch pea pots about four weeks before your last spring frost date with the pointed end of the seed facing down. Soil temperature should be between 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds should emerge within five days. When the first true leaves begin to show, you can now transplant the seedlings but keep them sheltered from wind and frost.

Next, the first female flowers will appear so if you want to get a jump start on growing bigger pumpkins you will have to hand pollinate these flowers in the early morning with a freshly opened male flower. Remove the outer flower petals, exposing the stamen and fresh pollen. Then gently swab the internal parts of the female flower with the pollen laden stamen. It is crucial to set the pumpkin before July 10 as they can gain 25 pounds a day. This is a crucial growing season.

After setting the pumpkin, the vine placement becomes very valuable. The stem should be perpendicular to the vine for optimal growth. If your pumpkin is not at the right angels naturally, coax it for about a week until it’s in that position. Be sure not to injure the fragile stem as some pumpkins may die at this early phase. After this you will begin to see the actual pumpkins growing. Now it’s time to choose the pumpkin you want to continue growing. Young, round, tall pumpkins usually grow the fastest into giant pumpkins so those are the ones to keep around. You should remove the rest of the pumpkins so you can focus on growing the giant.

Prune each main vine when it has reached 10 to 12 feet beyond the pumpkin. The side shoots should be no longer than 8 feet before pruning them back as well. Train side shoots so they are perpendicular to the main vine to accommodate access to the vines and pumpkins. Bury the ends of the cuts veins to reduce water loss. Seedlings thrive under a high phosphorus fertilizer. Use a formula that stresses potassium towards the end of July. Do not overfertilize. This could harm the plant more than help it. Finally, keep track of the growth of your pumpkins. Circumference gains can average 4 to 6 inches in a 24 hour period. Measure the circumference of your pumpkins first parallel to the ground around the entire pumpkin, from blossom end to stem. Next, measure over the top in both directions: from ground to ground along the axis from stem to blossom end, then perpendicular to the stem-blossom-end axis. Add these three measurements together, then multiply by 1.9 to give an estimate of the pumpkin's weight.

giant pumpkins

I hope this is helpful as you begin growing your very own giant pumpkin!

Careers within Agriculture

As a graduating college senior, it can be overwhelming at how fast life seems to be changing. I'm sure you can relate. I mean back in high school, it was so easy planning for the future. Graduate high school, go to college, get a job, get married and then settle into a routine. Easy, right? Easier said than done. Don't get me wrong the journey has been amazing so far, and I'm excited to see where the road leads me after graduation.

I have been looking for jobs within the agricultural industry and the opportunities are endless. There is so much to do with agriculture. Whether you are a good communicator, a mathematical genious, possess a strong love for animals, a scientist, or have a keen eye/imagination for landscape design there is something for everyone within the field of agriculture. The opportunities do not end there as there are too many to fit on this page. So, if you are anything like me, and are beginning to make life changing decisions, consider a career in agriculture. Take opportunities as they come, put your best foot foward, pray for the best, and enjoy the ride!