2013 Delphos Herald Agriculture Tab

a special
supplement to
THE DELPHOS
HERALD
March 2013
2 The Herald Agricultural Tab March 2013
THE DELPHOS HERALD - THE AMERICAN
FARMER SUPPLEMENT
March 15
Full Page Ad = $400.00
800-451-2709 SchraderAuction.com
For more info., call for brochures or visit our website
Armstrong Stables Personal Property Auction
Tue, Mar 19, 10:00 AM
East Moline, Illinois - Rock Island Co. - Quad Cities
Allen & Dekalb County, IN Land
127 Acres Ofered in 8 Tracts
Tue, Mar 19, 6:00 PM
Auburn, IN - Allen & Dekalb County
Prime Tillable Farmland
152 +/- Acres Ofered in 2 Tracts
Tue, Mar 19, 1:00 PM
DeWitt County, IL - Just South of Farmer City
Lawrence County, IN Land Auction
Wed, Mar 20, 11:00 AM
Bedford, Indiana - Lawrence County
Prime Indiana Farmland
414.5 +/- Acres Ofered in 6 Tracts
Thu, Mar 21, 10:00 AM
Montpelier, IN - Jay County
Shelby County, Iowa Land Auction
160 +/- Acres Ofered in 1 Tract
Thu, Mar 21, 5:00 PM
Elk Horn, Iowa - Shelby County
Pocahontas County, Iowa Land Auction
116 +/- Acres Ofered in 1 Tract
Thu, Mar 21, 10:00 AM
Pocahontas, Iowa - Pocahontas County
Southwestern Michigan Real Estate Auction
19.14 +/- Acres
Mon, Mar 25, 7:00 PM
White Pigeon, MI - St. Joseph County
Ohio Farm Equipment Auction - Bid Online
Wed, Mar 27, 1:00 PM
Creston, OH
Bid Online
Horn Farm Equipent Estate Auction - Bid Online
Farm Equipment Fertilizer Equipment Vehicles
Thu, Mar 28, 10:00 AM
New Philadelphia, Ohio
Gardner Estate Auction
Mon, Apr 8, 6:00 PM
Argos, IN - Marshall County - Walnut Township
Kosciusko County Farm Auction
Thu, Apr 11, 6:00 PM
Warsaw, IN - Kosciusko County - Wayne Township
SPECIALISTS IN SELLING LAND AND FARM EQUIPMENT SINCE 1944
For Some Owners, It May be Your Best Time to Sell a Farm or Equipment.
DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH. Land in much of Corn Belt continues to show double-digit increases in value, based on Schraders auctions as well
as a recent report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, which determined that for the 12 months ending in November 2012, prices were
up 18 percent in Iowa, 15 percent in Illinois, and 11 percent in Indiana.
PROVIDING LOCAL ExPERTISE
WITH A NATIONAL PRESENCE.
FARMLAND & FARM EQUIPMENT PRICES
REMAIN VERY STRONG!
UPCOMING
AUCTIONS
It was my pleasure to work with Schrader Real Estate & Auction Co. on the sale
of Anderson Circle Farm. Everyone in your organization that we worked with
impressed me with their enthusiasm, professionalism, and dedication to our
success. In my opinion, Schrader has an unbeatable combination of people,
process, and professionalism. We were extremely pleased with the outcome and
would highly recommend them to anyone.
Sincerely,
Michael E. McCaw CEO
DOUBLE-DIGITAL GROWTH. Land in much of the Corn Belt continues to show double-digit increases in value, based on Schraders auctions as
well as a recent report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, which determined that for the 12 months ending in November 2012, prices
were up 18 percent in Iowa, 15 percent in Illinois, and 11 percent in Indiana.
March 2013 The Herald Agricultural Tab 3
2013 CHEVY SILVERADO

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SERVING THE VAN WERT AREA
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Researchers studying data from 600 fields in 20 coun-
tries have found that managed honey bees are not as suc-
cessful at pollinating crops as wild insects, primarily wild
bees, suggesting the continuing loss of wild insects in
many agricultural landscapes has negative consequences
for crop harvests.
The study, which prompts an urgent call to maintain
and manage pollinator diversity for long-term agricultur-
al production, is published today in the journal Science.
The 50 international researchers, including Lawrence
Harder, professor in the Department of Biological Sci-
ences in the Faculty of Science at the University of Cal-
gary, analyzed data from 41 crop systems around the
world including fruits, seeds, nuts, and coffee to examine
the consequences of having abundant wild pollinators for
crop pollination.
Our study demonstrates that production of many fruit
and seed crops that make diets interesting, such as to-
matoes, coffee and watermelon, is limited because their
flowers are not adequately pollinated, says Harder. We
also show that adding more honey bees often does not fix
this problem, but that increased service by wild insects
would help.
Flowers of most crops need to receive pollen before
making seeds and fruits, a process that is enhanced by in-
sects that visit flowers. These pollinators, including bees,
flies, butterflies and beetles, usually live in natural or
semi-natural habitats, such as the edges of forests, hedge-
rows or grasslands. As these habitats are lost, primarily
owing to conversion to agriculture, the abundance and
diversity of pollinators decline and crops receive fewer
visits from wild insects.
The study found that the proportion of flowers pro-
ducing fruits was considerably lower in sites with fewer
wild insects visiting crop flowers. Therefore, the reduc-
tion of wild insects in agricultural landscapes will likely
impact both our natural heritage and agricultural harvest.
Paradoxically, most common approaches to increase
agricultural efficiency, such as cultivation of all available
land and the use of pesticides, reduce the abundance and
variety of wild insects that could increase production of
these crops, says Harder. Our study highlights the ben-
efits of considering this paradox in designing and imple-
menting agricultural systems.
The study suggests that new practices for integrated
management of both honey bees and wild insects will en-
hance global yields of animal-pollinated crops and pro-
mote long-term agricultural production. These practices
should include conservation or restoration of natural or
semi-natural areas within croplands, promotion of a va-
riety of land use, addition of diverse floral and nesting
resources, and more prudent use of insecticides that can
kill pollinators.
Loss of Wild Insects
Hurts Crops Around the World
419-339-0110
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Though farming was once big business in the United
States, by 2012 less than 1 percent of Americans were
professional farmers. Many challenges face todays
farmers, many of which are largely unknown to the gen-
eral public.
Many people have an outdated view of a farm as a
small, family-owned and operated parcel of land where
livestock is raised in open pens and crops are hand-har-
vested when ripe. The reality is that modern-day farms
have had to overhaul operations to meet demand and
remain competitively priced while adapting to the ever-
changing ways technology infiltrates all parts of life.
Each of these factors present obstacles for todays farm-
ers.
Technology
Rural farming communities are expected to make an
effort to integrate modern technology into an industry
that has been around for centuries. But such a transition
in rural areas, where communications systems may not
be as up-to-date as those in urban areas, is not always so
easy.
According to the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Coun-
cil, a shift from a resource-based to an information-based
economy, compounded by the rapid introduction and ex-
pansion of new technology in the workplace, has altered
farm operation and the skills in demand. Older workers
who have been schooled in one way of agriculture may
have a significant impact on labor supply and the vitality
of farming as a career. Younger adults who are knowl-
edgeable in technology may no longer seek out agricul-
tural careers.
Decrease in farming as an occupation
The United States Environmental Protection Agency
says that only about 960,000 Americans claim farming as
their principal occupation. As that figure has dwindled,
the average age of farmers continues to rise, as the Bu-
reau of Labor Statistics notes that roughly 40 percent of
the farmers in this country are 55 years old or older. This
has led to concerns about the long-term health of family
farms throughout the United States.
Environmental concerns
Many farmers have come under scrutiny for how
farming impacts the environment. A growing emphasis
on sustainability and conservation has led many people
to protest certain farming practices. Protesters claim that
certain practices, such as raising livestock, can pollute
water, while the use of fertilizers and chemical pesticides
is bad for the environment. Many farmers, however, have
altered their methods to be more environmentally friend-
ly and self-sustainable in the process.
Climate change is another environmental issue farm-
ers must deal with. Strong storms and severe droughts
have made farming even more challenging.
Financial fall-out
The ongoing recession of the last half-decade has also
affected farmers. In November of 2012, the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that the unemploy-
ment rate within the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and
hunting industries was at 13.6 percent, far higher than
the national unemployment rate. As a result, many farm
families have found themselves stuck between a rock and
a hard place, as rising costs for equipment and technol-
ogy are being coupled with decreasing profits and rising
unemployment.
Further complicating matters is competition from
corporations and international food producers who have
made it difficult for family farmers to turn a significant
profit. Many family farmers rely on loans and lines of
credit to survive, but thanks to changes in the financial
sector that saw banks become less willing to extend lines
of credit, some farmers are facing bankruptcy.
Though it can be easy for those who do not work in
the agricultural industry to overlook the struggles facing
todays agricultural professionals, a greater understand-
ing of those struggles and the challenges that lay ahead
can benefit the industry and its employees down the road.
(MCC)
Challenges facing farmers
today and tomorrow
Greater public awareness of agricultural challenges
could help the industry in the future.
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161 W. Third St.
Ottoville, Ohio 45876
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Delphos, OH 45833
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Improving climate protection
in the agricultural sector
Agriculture is responsible for around ten to twelve per-
cent of all greenhouse gases attributable to human activities.
This raises the question of how these emissions could be re-
duced. A recent study has investigated -- for the first time
-- the full range of factors that contribute to greenhouse gas
emissions, namely soil and climate conditions, the agricul-
tural model and the farming intensity on both organic and
conventional holdings. The study has enabled scientists to
develop a new model that will allow agricultural landholders
to determine and improve their climate balance.
As part of the study, scientists investigated 40 organic
and 40 conventional agricultural holdings across Germa-
nys four agricultural regions. They focused exclusively on
crop and dairy farms. The scientists recorded all relevant
climate gas streams during the entire production process,
including methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. In the
case of dairy farms, they also factored in the purchase of
soybean meal from South America and all related green-
house gas emissions.
Strategies for improving climate balance
Fossil fuels, above all diesel, are one of the main sourc-
es of CO2 emissions in agriculture. However, greenhouse
gases are also emitted during the manufacture of mineral
nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides, agricultural machines
and equipment.
There are different ways of improving a farms cli-
mate balance, explains Professor Kurt-Jrgen Hlsbergen
from Technische Universitt Mnchen (TUM). One ef-
fective strategy is for landholders to grow feed themselves
rather than purchase soy from another source. Farms can
also streamline production processes and deploy modern
technology to obtain higher yields without increasing the
amount of energy required.
In crop farming, increasing nitrogen efficiency is a key
factor. High levels of nitrous oxide are released into the en-
vironment if crops are unable to utilize all of the nitrogen
fertilizer that was spread. The production of nitrogen fertil-
izer is also energy intensive, which further increases the
climate balance of unused nitrogen.
In contrast, the greenhouse gas CO2 can be stored long
term as humus in the soil, and thus eliminated from the cli-
mate balance. This can be achieved by planting legumes
as part of a diversified crop rotation strategy, explains
Professor Gerold Rahmann at the Thnen Institute. Us-
ing soil less intensively and applying organic fertilizer also
helps.
Topping the charts: organic versus conventional farming
Organic farming is more energy efficient and produces
less land-specific CO2 emissions. This advantage, how-
ever, is offset by the significantly lower yields achieved
through organic farming practices. The pilot organic crop
farms produce around twenty percent less emissions per
yield unit than conventional holdings.
Organic dairy farms use more plant fodder grown on site
and do not import soybean meal. This strategy pays off, ac-
cording to Hlsbergen: The pilot organic farms we looked
at emit around 200 grams less CO2 per kilogram of milk
than conventional farms with the same milk yield.
Most interestingly, the investigations show that yields
and greenhouse gas emissions fluctuate significantly be-
tween different organic farms in some cases to an even
greater extent than the fluctuations between organic and
conventional holdings. This demonstrates that the individ-
ual know-how of farm managers plays an important role
in the greenhouse gas balance and that there is significant
potential for improvement at individual farms.
Putting theory into practice
This is the first time that a study has provided a 360-de-
gree overview of climate-relevant factors impacting all
emissions related to livestock and crop farming. We have a
workable model that will enable us to identify the causes of
low energy efficiency and high greenhouse gas emissions,
adds Hlsbergen. We are now optimizing this model so
that it can be used directly by climate change advisors in
the agricultural sector.
Call
BRENNCO, INC.
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STAN BRENNEMAN
Home: 419-339-3457
Fax: 419-339-7260
Mobile: 419-236-9759
KIM BRENNEMAN
Home: 419-339-3127
Mobile: 419-236-3347
Neighbor Insuring Neighbor Since 1863
112 E. Third Street
Delphos, OH 45833
Local Agents:
FARMOWNER/HOMEOWNER INSURANCE
Lyons
Insurance:
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In an effort to live a more environ-
mentally friendly lifestyle, consumers
have embraced organic foods in record
numbers. They stand behind the idea that
organic products are not only better for
them, but also better for the planet. But the
claims that organic food is safer, healthier
and more eco-friendly may be more hype
than fact. Some organic foods are not all
that they seem to be, and when you dig for
the dirt on organic, you might be sur-
prised at what you find.
The variety of organic products avail-
able at specialty food stores and more
traditional supermarkets has increased
considerably. Food purists and environ-
mentalists support this growing trend.
Certified organic foods are grown without
the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers,
sewage sludge, genetically modified or-
ganisms or ionizing radiation. Organically
produced meats are from animals that do
not take antibiotics or growth hormones to
produce heartier cuts. The USDA Nation-
al Organic Program sees to it that organic
foods meet these stringent requirements
and also that any companies that handle
or process organic food before it gets to
the supermarket or restaurant are certified
as well.
However, consumers who embrace or-
ganic products might not be getting what
they think they are. The term organic
conjures up images of local produce
stands and farmers diligently caring for
their crops. However, as organic foods
have grown in popularity and the organic
food industry has become a multi-billion
dollar industry, the methods of bring-
ing these foods to a store near you have
changed. While consumers may believe
that organic broccoli was trucked in from
a farm down the road, it actually may
have traveled thousands of miles -- negat-
ing many environmental benefits in the
process.
Many smaller organic businesses have
felt the pressure to keep up with main-
stream foods and have joined the ranks
of commercial food production. In fact,
some smaller companies have actually
been bought out by large food giants. Or-
ganic Cow, a Vermont milk producer, now
operates under the auspices of Horizon, a
company based in Colorado. Cascadian
Farm, which produces organic frozen
dinners among other items, is a subsid-
iary of General Mills. Many mainstream
food companies have their own organic
alter egos, which would no doubt surprise
consumers who support the organic food
movement.
Even true organic foods shipped from
small farms over short distances may not
be able to meet the hype of the organic
moniker. Plant physiologist and biologist
Alex Averys 2007 book titled The Truth
About Organic Foods talks about origins
of organic food and dispels some of the
myths that prevail. Avery notes that or-
ganic foods are not pesticide-free because
all vegetables contain about five percent
of their weight in natural pesticides, some
of which may be just as potent as man-
made varieties. Avery also notes that more
than 95 percent of conventional meat and
dairy products in the United States are to-
tally free of antibiotics and 99.5 percent
of it is free of synthetic hormones. Only
one sample in 400 violates the antibiotic
limits set by the FDA. Avery also states
that there are no nutritional differences
between organic and conventionally pro-
duced foods, which debunks the myth
that organic foods are more nutritionally
sound.
Organic foods also may contribute to a
higher carbon footprint. Instead of using
chemical fertilizers to feed produce, the
use of animal manure may mean clearing
out land for grazing and creating its own
problems in off-gassing and water con-
tamination that has been associated with
raising livestock. Furthermore, the U.K.
Department of Environment and Rural Af-
fairs states, A shift towards a local food
system, and away from a supermarket-
based food system with its central distri-
bution depots, lean supply chains and big,
full trucks, might actually increase the
number of food-vehicle miles being trav-
eled locally, because things would move
around in a larger number of smaller, less
efficiently packed vehicles.
Champions of organic foods are sure to
stand by the claims that organic foods are
better. Many organic foods are nutrition-
ally sound and rely on more natural grow-
ing methods. Yet consumers should keep
an open mind about both organic foods
and their commercially produced counter-
parts. MCC
Organic claims
not always accurate
There are many consumers that would like to believe that organic foods are
healthier and better for the environment. But some research indicates that these
claims may not be justified.
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How to
keep your land pest-free
(StatePoint) Spending time outdoors can
recharge the soul and bring the family to-
gether. In your own backyard you can find
beauty, enjoyment and a place to connect
with nature -- so long as you make sure to
maintain all those beautiful trees and plants.
Whether you have a garden, woodlands or
natural landscaping on your property, youll
want to keep your land healthy and free of
unwanted pests. And experts say that wood-
lands need special attention.
Although trees look strong, woodland
ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to
natural and man-made dangers that can grad-
ually reduce the health and beauty of your
woods, says Mike Burns, forester and pro-
gram resource manager with the American
Forest Foundation.
A U.S. Forest Service assessment released
last December predicts that as many as 34
million acres of forestland could be lost in
the United States during the next 50 years,
and that all regions in the United States will
experience increased stress from natural di-
sasters and pest infestations.
Luckily, there are steps landowners can
take to help keep trees and woodlands safe
from pests:
Keep an eye out for changes. On trees,
spots of yellow or brown or some thinning
needles might be the effects of natural
shading on lower limbs -- or it might be a
disease or insect thats about to spread to
other trees.
Stay informed about threats in your area.
Contact your state forestry agency or state
department of natural resources to find
out whats bugging your area.
Monitor for pests and signs of disease
every month or two. Check trees on the
trunk, limbs, twigs, under peeling bark
and leaves -- the most likely places to find
injuries. Keep your eye open for things
that look out of the ordinary.
Online resources can help you become a
better steward of your land. If you own
some woodlands, consider signing up
31yearsexperience
CertifiedAuctioneersInstitute(CAI)
CertifiedEstateSpecialist(CES)
BobGamble,BrokerandAuctioneerisyourGoTo
personfortheappraisalandmarketingoffarmland
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122 N. Washington St., Van Wert, OH
(419) 605-8300 Office: (419) 238-5555
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Keep a close watch on your trees. Wood-
land ecosystems are particularly vulner-
able to natural and man-made dangers.
See PEST-FREE, page 11
Serving the Agricultural Industry
Since 1945
100 East Oak
Continental, Ohio 45831
Bus: 419-596-3806
Fax: 419-596-3506
Custom Applications Seed & Chemical
Dry Fertilizer Liquid Fertilizer
Lawn & Garden Equipment
Rental and Products
A drought that plagued most of the
United States in the summer of 2012
decimated soybean and corn crops across
Americas heartland. According to Re-
uters, during the drought ratings for corn
and soybeans fell to their lowest since
the major drought of 1988 and major
farm states, such as Iowa, Nebraska, Il-
linois, Missouri, and Kansas, were not
able to produce enough crop necessary
to meet food and feed demands. To fur-
ther exacerbate the shortage, the United
States government still mandates that 42
percent of this years crop be turned into
ethanol as part of the Renewable Fuel
Standard adopted in 2005, angering some
farmers.
Livestock producers who rely on corn
for feed are angry that the mandate has not
been modified in lieu of the record-break-
ing drought and shortages. Corn prices al-
ready are at all-time highs, and requiring
that 42 percent of the yield be relegated
to fuel will considerably drive up the cost
of the remaining corn. Not only will live-
stock farmers be affected but so will those
who enjoy corn in everything from breads
to cereals. Consumers on limited budgets
may find corn is simply too expensive.
Ranchers and farmers are not the only
ones hurting as a result of the corn short-
age. The ethanol plants themselves are
also feeling the crunch. A lack of corn
means that many plants are remaining idle
or not working at capacity. Some plants
are not breaking even in terms of opera-
tional costs, potentially costing individu-
als their jobs.
However, supporters of the ethanol re-
quirement are concerned that removing
the allotted ethanol amounts from fuel
will further drive up the cost of filling up
at the pump. Drivers have already experi-
enced high gas prices, and many are feel-
ing the effect on their wallets. The result is
a catch-22 where no one wins.
Despite the talks, some economists say
that the ethanol mandate suspension may
do little to lower the cost of corn. Agri-
cultural economist Scott Irwin from the
University of Illinois says that because of
the backlog of demand of corn for fuel, it
would be a few months before any price
change would reach the market. Plus,
the change would be nominal because it
would be hard to implement such wide-
spread changes in corn for fuel consump-
tion since the country has come to depend
on a set amount.
High summertime temperatures com-
bined with historically low rainfall totals
this past season devastated many corn
crops that would be put to use as animal
feed and ethanol fuel. The debate over
whether or not ethanol mandates should
be temporarily ceased is bound to con-
tinue until corn supplies are replenished.
(MCC)
Drought affecting corn crops
prompts ethanol debate
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Tips to
start composting
for your garden
(StatePoint) It doesnt matter if
youre a gardening novice trying to
supplement your dinner table with
some home-grown veggies or an en-
trepreneur that earns a living off the
land, composting is a simple way to
go green and help save the environ-
ment.
You dont have to be an environ-
mentalist to compost, either. Com-
post, which is organic matter that
has been decomposed and recycled
and used for fertilizing soil, is great
for your garden and will help reduce
landfill waste. In addition, compost-
ing in your home garden will help
you save money.
Using compost means your gar-
den will be more cost-effective be-
cause you will have to spend less
on fertilizers, insecticides, and fun-
gicides for a given harvest of any
crop, says Brett L. Markham, author
of The Mini Farming Guide to Com-
posting, the latest in his Mini Farm-
ing book series.
Across the country people are em-
bracing the concept of self-sufficien-
cy and preparedness, mini farming
anywhere, from rooftop urban gar-
dens to suburban backyards to larger
land plots. Growing food is easier
than ever and composting is a huge
part of this movement.
Markham, who also has written
the bestselling Mini Farming: Self-
Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre as well as
mini farming guides to fermenting
and vegetable gardening, offers these
gardening tips to get started on com-
posting:
Composting is a natural form of
recycling, so use food waste, grass
clippings, coffee grounds and even
paper as compost. Just be sure to
shred the paper first to speed up the
process.
Start your compost pile in a con-
venient spot, and make sure it is semi-
shaded and well-drained.
Add bulking agents such as wood
chips to accelerate the breakdown of
organic materials, allowing the fin-
ished material to fully stabilize and
mature through a curing process. Add
leaves, straw, or hay along with grass
clippings or green manures for plenty
of bulk.
Each layer should be no more than
two inches so that the grass clippings
or leaves dont get matted down to
form a layer impermeable to air.
Keep the compost moist. Either
water it yourself or let rain take care
of it. The compost should be moist,
but not soaked.
Cover the compost pile to help
retain moisture and heat. This will
also help prevent the compost from
being over-watered by the rain.
Turn the compost pile with a
shovel or a fork to aerate the pile. It
is important to water the pile as you
turn it as well. Turning the pile adds
oxygen to the compost which is nec-
essary to get the most out of your pile.
Once you add the compost to
your garden, youll be ready to start
planting in two to five weeks!
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(StatePoint) Cooking from the garden
is not like cooking from the store. Theres
nothing more tasty, nutritious and satisfying
than fresh, homemade meals made from the
fruits, vegetables and herbs you grew your-
self.
Experts say that even with modest
amounts of time and space, you can grow an
organic garden plot that feeds your family
all year long.
The simplest methods of gardening
work best, says Barbara Damrosch, organic
gardening expert and coauthor of the new
book, The Four Season Farm Gardeners
Cookbook, which serves as both a garden
guide and a healthful cookbook. There is
very little you cant accomplish in the gar-
den if you trust the systems that are already
in place.
Damrosch and co-author Eliot Coleman
contend that organic vegetable gardening is
not only healthful for you and your family,
but is also good for the planet and can make
a serious dent in your food expenses.
They are offering these great tips to any-
one looking to grow and cook their own
food:
When choosing which plants to grow,
consider how much space you have. Salad
crops, for example, give you the most va-
riety in a garden of limited size. Consider
prioritizing crops whose flavor is most no-
tably lacking in supermarket varieties, such
as tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers and
melons.
It helps to get to know different plants
on a family basis. Family groupings are
very important in planning how to rotate
the crops in your garden from year to year,
and much of the techniques that work for
one vegetable, apply equally well to its
cousins.
Dont let weeds get ahead of you. Once
theyve gained the upper hand, getting rid
of them can seem almost impossible. The
ideal time to control weeds is when they are
tiny, right after they first appear. Take the
extra time to plant in straight lines, which
can help with weed control.
Veteran gardeners tend to be support-
ive resources to newcomers. Let friends
with green thumbs share their enthusiasm
and expertise with you. Or get involved in
an organic community garden, where there
is no shortage of experienced gardeners to
consult.
Pass up the modern habit of eating any
crop, any time of year by letting your garden
feed you. Fruits and vegetables that come
from halfway around the world were often
harvested far too early and can have a dis-
appointing, bland taste. By planning meals
from your garden, youll become a more
creative, improvisational cook.
More gardening tips can be found at
www.fourseasonfarm.com.
Eating is one of the most important
things we do, so dont just settle for what
the supermarket has to offer. Gardening can
revolutionize the way you eat, and help you
take greater control of your familys nutri-
tion.
Grow what you eat
Cook what you grow
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Untitled-1 1 3/8/2013 8:59:19 AM
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Food science expert says
Genetically modified crops
are overregulated
It has been almost 20 years since the first genetically
modified foods showed up in produce aisles throughout
the United States and the rest of the world, but contro-
versy continues to surround the products and their regu-
lation.
Bruce Chassy, a professor emeritus of food science
and human nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urba-
na-Champaign, believes that after thousands of research
studies and worldwide planting, genetically modified
foods pose no special risks to consumers or the environ-
ment and are overregulated.
Chassy elaborated on this conclusion at the 2013 meet-
ing of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science in Boston on Feb. 17. During his talk, Regulat-
ing the Safety of Foods and Feeds Derived From Geneti-
cally Modified Crops, Chassy shared his view that the
overregulation of GM crops actually hurts the environ-
ment, reduces global health and burdens the consumer.
Farmers have witnessed the advantages of GM crops
firsthand through increases in their yields and profit, and
decreases in their labor, energy consumption, pesticide
use and greenhouse gas emissions, Chassy said.
Despite these benefits, various regulatory agencies
require newly developed GM crops to be put to the test
with rigorous safety evaluations that include molecular
characterization, toxicological evaluation, allergenicity
assessments, compositional analysis and feeding studies.
This extensive testing takes five to 10 years and costs
tens of millions of dollars, and Chassy argues that this
process wastes resources and diverts attention from real
food safety issues.
With more than half of the worlds population now
living in countries that have adopted GM crops, it might
be appropriate to reduce the regulatory scrutiny of GM
crops to a level that is commensurate with science-based
risk assessment, Chassy said.
During his talk, Chassy chronicled the scientific tests
used in pre-market safety assessments of GM foods and
elaborate on the evidence from thousands of research
studies and expansive GM plantings that he says show
these crops do not present risks to consumers or the envi-
ronment. The overregulation of GM foods is a response
not to scientific evidence, Chassy said, but to a global
campaign that disseminates misinformation and fear
about these food sources.
for the My Land Plan resource, launched
by the American Forest Foundation. My
Land Plan can help you connect with up-
to-date information about pest threats,
map your lands boundaries and record
changes over time, all at www.MyLand-
Plan.org. You can explore the websites
newly expanded invasive pest and patho-
gen section and locate professional ser-
vices available for your needs.
If you suspect an outbreak, collect samples
of tree damage and any associated pests
to accurately identify the problem, which
may have more than one cause. Take pic-
tures and notes on your trees symptoms.
Often pictures are enough for an expert to
identify the problem and help you figure
out what to do next. Next steps can be
identified by your state forestry agency or
department of natural resources.
If you discover an insect that you suspect
might be a danger to your trees, seal it in
a container and store it in the freezer until
you can deliver it to a proper authority.
In the long run, nature might well be in-
vincible, but in the short run, residents may
need a helping hand to protect local land to
keep trees healthy.
Pest-free (Continued from page 7)
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The increasing production and use of antibiotics,
about half of which is used in animal production, is
mirrored by the growing number of antibiotic resistance
genes, or ARGs, effectively reducing antibiotics ability
to fend off diseases -- in animals and humans.
A study in the current issue of the Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences shows that China -- the
worlds largest producer and consumer of antibiotics
-- and many other countries dont monitor the powerful
medicines usage or impact on the environment.
On Chinese commercial pig farms, researchers found
149 unique ARGs, some at levels 192 to 28,000 times
higher than the control samples, said James Tiedje,
Michigan State University Distinguished Professor of
microbiology and molecular genetics and of plant, soil
and microbial sciences, and one of the co-authors.
Our research took place in China, but it reflects
whats happening in many places around the world,
said Tiedje, part of the research team led by Yong-Guan
Zhu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The World
Organization for Animal Health and the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration have been advocating for improved
regulation of veterinary antibiotic use because those
genes dont
stay local.
Antibiotics
in China are
weakly regu-
lated, and the
country uses
four times more
antibiotics for
veterinary use
than in the
United States.
Since the medi-
cine is poorly
absorbed by
animals, much
of it ends up in
manure -- an
estimated 700
million tons
annually from
China alone. This is traditionally spread as fertilizer, sold
as compost or ends up downstream in rivers or ground-
water, taking ARGs with them. Along with hitching
rides in fertilizer, ARGs also are spread via international
trade, immigration and recreational travel.
Daily exposure to antibiotics, such as those in animal
feed, allows microbes carrying ARGs to thrive. In some
cases, these antibiotic resistant genes become highly
mobile, meaning they can be transferred to other bacteria
that can cause illness in humans. This is a big concern
because the infections they cause cant be treated with
antibiotics.
ARGs can reach the general population through food
crops, drinking water and interactions with farm work-
ers. Because of this undesirable cycle, ARGs pose a
potential global risk to human health and should be clas-
sified as pollutants, said Tiedje, an MSU AgBioResearch
scientist.
It is urgent that we protect the effectiveness of our
current antibiotics because discovering new ones is
extremely difficult, Zhu said. Multidrug resistance is
a global problem and must be addressed in a compre-
hensive manner, and one area that needs to be addressed
is more judicious use and management of wastes that
contain ARGs.
Unchecked antibiotic use in animals
May affect global human health
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Corn cobs eyed
for bioenergy production
Microbes team up to boost plants stress tollerance
Corn crop residues are often left on harvested fields to
protect soil quality, but they could become an important raw
material in cellulosic ethanol production. U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) research indicates that soil quality
would not decline if post-harvest corn cob residues were
removed from fields.
This work, led by Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
soil scientist Brian Wienhold, supports the USDA priority
of developing new sources of bioenergy. ARS is USDAs
chief intramural scientific research agency.
Wienhold, with the ARS Agroecosystem Management
Research Unit in Lincoln, Neb., led studies that compared
runoff rates and sediment loss from no-till corn fields where
postharvest crop residues were either removed or retained.
The scientists also removed cobs from half of the test plots
that were protected by the residues.
After the test plots were established, the scien-
tists generated two simulated rainfall events. The
first occurred when the fields were dry, and the next
occurred 24 hours later when the soils were almost
completely saturated.
During the first event, on plots where residue was
removed, runoff began around 200 seconds after the rain
began. Runoff from plots protected by residues didnt start
until around 240 seconds after it started to rain.
Runoff from the residue-free plots contained 30 percent
more sediment than runoff from all the residue-protected
plots. But the presence or absence of cobs on the residue-
protected plots did not significantly affect sediment loss
rates.
Wienholds team concluded that even though cob resi-
dues did slightly delay the onset of runoff, sediment loss
rates were not significantly affected by the presence or
absence of the cobs. The results indicated that the cobs
could be removed from other residue and used for bioen-
ergy feedstock without significantly interfering with the
role of crop residues in protecting soils.
In a related study, Wienhold examined how the removal
of cob residues affected soil nutrient levels. Over the course
of a year, his sampling indicated that cobs were a source of
soil potassium, but that they werent a significant source of
any other plant nutrients.
While most farmers consider viruses and
fungi potential threats to their crops, these
microbes can help wild plants adapt to
extreme conditions, according to a Penn
State virologist.
Discovering how microbes collaborate
to improve the hardiness of plants is a
key to sustainable agriculture that can help
meet increasing food demands, in addition
to avoiding possible conflicts over scare
resources, said Marilyn Roossinck, profes-
sor of plant pathology and environmental
microbiology, and biology.
Its a security issue, Roossinck said.
The amount of arable land is shrinking as
cities are growing, and climate change is
also affecting our ability to grow enough
food and food shortages can lead to unrest
and wars.
Population growth makes this research
important as well, Roossinck added.
The global population is heading toward
9 billion and incidents of drought like we had
recently are all concerns, said Roossinck.
We need to start taking this seriously.
Roossinck, who reports on the find-
ings Feb. 17 at the annual meeting of the
American Association for the Advancement
of Science in Boston, said that she and her
colleagues found an example of a collabora-
tion between plants and viruses that confer
drought tolerance to many different crop
plants.
The researchers tested four different
viruses and several different plants, includ-
ing crops such as rice, tomato, squash and
beets, and showed that the viruses increased
the plants ability to tolerate drought. Virus
infection also provided cold tolerance in
some cases.
A leafy plant, related to a common weed
known as lambs quarter, was also infected
with a virus that caused a local infection.
The infection was enough to boost the
plants drought tolerance and may mean that
the virus does not have to actively replicate
in the cells where the resistance to drought
occurs, according to Roossinck.
In studies on plants that thrive in the
volcanic soils of Costa Rica and in the hot,
geothermal ground in Yellowstone National
Park, viruses and fungi work together with
plants to confer temperature hardiness, said
Roossinck. Researchers found that fungi
and a type of grass -- tropical panic grass
-- found in Yellowstone National Park grow
together in temperatures above 125 degrees
Fahrenheit. If the plant and fungus are sepa-
rated, however, both die in the same heat
levels.
Because viruses are often present in plant
See MICROBES, page 15
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If you aren't already taking advantage of our
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THE DELPHOS HERALD
405 N. Main St. Delphos
PUTTING YOUR
WORLD IN
PERSPECTIVE
The nursery rhyme does not state, Old MacDonald had a farm and on
this farm there was a bunch of dangerous things. But maybe it should?
Farmers perform an essential service, providing food and other prod-
ucts that consumers commonly take for granted. The inner workings of
a farm are something to treat with respect. Most of the families who live
and work on a farm understand the potential hazards of such an environ-
ment. However, individuals visiting a farm may be unaware of these dan-
gers. Understanding farm safety helps keep everyone safe.
According to the organization Kids Health, the age groups at greatest
risk for injury on farms are children ages 3 to 4 and teenagers ages 13 to
14. Most injuries can be prevented, though, with a little education and
precautionary measures.
Machinery
There are many different forms of machinery on a farm to help keep it
working efficiently. These items can pose serious safety risks. Although
tractors are the type of farm equipment that causes the most injuries, some
adults still think it is safe to allow children to ride along.
Injuries that may result from farm machinery include pinching of
clothing or parts of the body, where a person may become trapped in
the gears or components of equipment; cuts from equipment that shears
crops; bruising or cuts from projectiles thrown by mowers or other field
equipment; and crushing or trapping injuries from machinery that falls or
tips over.
Animals
Part of the excitement of visiting a farm is seeing and petting the ani-
mals. Although many animals may be docile and domesticated, they can
still be unpredictable. Animals that are startled by yelling or loud noises
also may become restless and dangerous.
Children should understand that animals may unintentionally cause in-
juries. It may be in a horses defense mechanism to kick when it is scared.
To avoid such injuries, never approach animals from behind. Also, when
baby animals are present, a female may be protective of her brood and go
on the defensive.
Another inadvertent injury that may occur is from bacteria or viruses
from the animals. Animal feces may contain bacteria, and there may be
other microorganisms on the animals themselves. It is a smart idea to al-
ways wash your hands after handling a farm animal to prevent the spread
of disease.
Here are some other precautions that can be taken when visiting
a farm.
* Dont allow children to wander around unsupervised.
* Rides on farm equipment should be discouraged.
* Before starting machinery, operators should locate children and other
guests and clear them from the work area.
* Dont allow children near machinery.
* Children under the age of 16 should not be allowed to operate any farm
vehicles.
* Watch for hand tools or other equipment, and keep children away from
them.
* Do not touch animals unless a farm worker allows it. Then follow his
or her instructions.
* Dont provoke farm animals or attempt to startle them.
* Supervise children around ponds, feeding troughs or manure lagoons. It
only takes a few inches of water to pose a drowning risk.
Farms are interesting places to visit, especially for children. Safety
should always be a priority when visiting a farm. (MCC)
Safety essential
when visiting a farm
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Microbes (Continued from page 13)
fungi, Roossinck wondered if viruses played
a role in the reaction.
I noticed that all of the samples from
the geothermal soils had a virus, so it
seemed worth it to take a deeper look, said
Roossinck.
The researchers found that there was no
heat tolerance without the virus. Once the
researchers cured the fungus of the virus,
the plant was unable to withstand the heat.
When the virus was reintroduced, the plant
regained heat tolerance.
A virus is absolutely required for thermal
tolerance, said Roossinck. If you cure the
fungus of the virus, you no longer have the
thermal tolerance.
While researchers do not entirely under-
stand the role of viruses in helping plants
withstand extreme conditions, Roossinck
said that future research may help the agri-
cultural industry naturally develop hardier
plants, rather than rely on chemical solutions
that threaten the environment.
The question is, can we restore the natu-
ral level of microbes in plants and grow
them better and more tolerant of environ-
mental stress like heat and drought, or patho-
gens? Roossinck said. This may lead to
more natural methods of creating crops that
are more heat, drought and stress tolerant.
Raise Your
Growth Potential.
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UNITED EQUITY INC.
Delphos Fertilizer Plant 419-695-1956
DELPHOS (419) 692-0811 SPENCERVILLE (419) 647-4148 KOSSUTH (419) 657-6788 NEPTUNE (419) 586-2196
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