Gov. Braun greets Hoosier farmers at Indiana Ag Policy Summit
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun covered an array of farm topics in a “Fireside Chat” with ISA and ICGA CEO Courtney Kingery at the Indiana Ag Policy Summit in Lebanon, Ind.
17 Farmer shares her experiences from USDA Crop Report lockup
Walking into the USDA South Building in Washington, D.C. for the August Crop Production and WASDE Report was an experience ICMC Director Lori Cyr will never forget.
22 Rulon family farm embraces conservation to improve soil health
For more than 30 years, the Rulon family farm in Arcadia, Ind., has embraced conservation practices, benefiting not just their land and bottom line but their community.
32
Indiana corn checkoff brings grain bin safety training to rural firefighters
The Indiana Corn Marketing Council has stepped up again this summer to fund life-saving rescue equipment and training for more rural fire departments across the state.
50
About the cover:
John Baugh, Director of Ag Services Regulations at Purdue University, was honored with the Friend of Farmer award during the Ag Policy Summit on July 30. The Friend of Farmer award is given to a strong advocate for Hoosier farmers by the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee. For more, see story on page 19. (Gary Varvel illustration)
Chair
ISA Membership & Policy Committee
Brian Warpup, Warren / D2
Dylan Christopher, Brookston / D1
Joe Stoller, Bremen / D1
Allen Buchanan, Fowler / D1
Kevin Kelley, Brookston / D1
John Peters, Monticello / D1
Denise Scarborough, LaCrosse / D1
C.J. Chalfant, Hartford City / D2
Carey McKibben, LaGrange / D2
Steve Phares, Albion / D2
Jenna Scott, Muncie / D2
Brian Warpup, Warren / D2
Mark Wenning, Cambridge City / D2
Vice Chair
David Hardin, Avon / D4
Directors
Philip Springstun, Boonville / D3
Mark Legan, Coatesville / D3
Derika Lynam-Spaetti, Richland / D3
Gary McDaniel, Boonville / D3
Jason Misiniec, Bicknell / D3
Larry Rusch, Vincennes / D3
Andrew McDaniel, Noblesville / D4
Kevin Burbrink, Seymour / D4
Chris Eck, Boggstown / D4
Mike Koehne, Greensburg / D4
Roger Wenning, Greensburg / D4
President
Chris Cherry, New Palestine / D6
Vice President
Secretary
J.R. Roesner, Ferdinand / D8
Treasurer
Alan Dunn, Michigantown / D4 Tyler Everett, Lebanon / D7
Tom Murphy, Chesterton / D1
Joe Tuholski, LaPorte / D2
Phil Zicht, Winchester / D3
Staff Credits
Editor / Dave Blower Jr. dblower@indianasoybean.com
Indiana Corn & Soybean Post® is published six times per year by the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Growers Association.
For address corrections contact: Indiana Corn & Soybean Post® 8425 Keystone Crossing, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46240
Phone: 317-614-0376
Email: cornandsoybeanpost@ indianasoybean.com
Directors
Scott Smith, Windfall / D5
Tyler Pottschmidt, Crothersville / D9
For advertising information in the Indiana Corn & Soybean Post®, contact Dave Blower Jr. at 317-347-3620 or dblower@indianasoybean.com. Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservations must be made by the first day of the month preceding publication. In consideration of the acceptance of the advertisement, the agency and the advertiser must, in respect of the contents of the advertisement, indemnify and save the publisher harmless against any expense arising from claims or actions against the publisher because of the publication of the content of the advertisement.
Harvest a natural time to make 2026 planting season decisions
HChris Cherry President Indiana Corn Growers Association
arvest has just begun in parts of Indiana, and as the Old Dominion song goes, “the days will be long, but the years will fly right by.” Isn’t that the truth? The summer has flown by, and now with harvest upon us, our focus shifts to getting the crop out of the field.
This time of year always brings a sense of urgency. We try to make the most of every hour of daylight. I learned long ago that when it comes to cutting soybeans, you need to take advantage of every good day. September is the best time for soybean harvest — longer days and typically warmer weather allow for those big, productive days.
But by late October, the weather becomes much more unpredictable, and the “great” soybean days are mostly behind us.
Someday, I’d like to survey other farmers about their “terminology” for harvesting soybeans versus corn. I always say that I’m “cutting soybeans” or “shelling corn.” My wife believes I have those phrases backwards because we “cut the corn off the cob” and “shell the soybeans out of the pod.”
To me, soybean harvest is a sprint, while corn harvest is a marathon. Once soybeans are in, corn becomes about showing up every day and chipping away — trying to make a dent in the operation, one field at a time. I love harvest time and the smells of fall. Each year I look forward to bringing in the crop.
Harvest is also a natural time to begin thinking about planting plans for the 2026 growing season.
• Do we stick with our usual rotation?
• Should we plant less corn this year?
• Are we going to plant wheat?
• Where do we see the best chance to break even — or better yet, make a profit?
These questions are always part of farming, and the “right” answer is different for every farm.
A recent series of stories published by NCGA’s Krista Swanson highlighted high production costs. Input prices
compared to commodity prices are at a spread we’ve only seen a few times in the last 40 years.
In fact, the last time we saw something similar was between 2012 and 2016. Since 2012, the adjusted cost of producing corn has remained high. According to the article, there have only been three years where corn prices were relatively strong compared to cost of production: 2012, 2021, and 2022.
According to a report from NCGA, the average cost to grow an acre of corn in 2025 is $897 per acre which is 3 percent lower than the peak in 2022. The main difference in these two years is that nearby futures contracts topped near $8 per bushel in 2022 while corn is currently below $4 per bushel.
The average break-even price for corn is $4.75 per bushel which puts the average farmer facing a loss of 85 cents per bushel.
NCGA added that companies can adjust prices to stay profitable or at least viable. Unfortunately, those higher costs often get passed down to farmers. It seems like we always end up taking the hit.
This is another reason why our work within the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is important.
We continue to push for legislation that brings value to our commodities. One of our top priorities remains E15 — it’s the first thing we talk about when a meeting starts, and the last thing we bring up before we close. Expanding access to E15 is critical to creating demand and bringing stability to corn markets. We are always looking forward to new uses and demands for the corn that we produce.
As you head into harvest, I hope you stay safe and productive. Take advantage of every good day. Reflect on the season but keep an eye on what’s next. Whether you’re sprinting through soybeans or settling in for the corn marathon, remember that your decisions now will shape your future success.
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POET purchases corn from local farmers to produce biofuels and bioproducts. There are five POET Bioprocessing facilities across Indiana: Alexandria, North Manchester, Portland, Shelbyville, and Cloverdale. | poet.com/grain
International trade a key element to success for Indiana agriculture
RBrian Warpup Chair ISA Membership and Policy Committee
eady or not, fall of 2025 is here. No matter what your yields are or how well you sold the crop, it will either be stored on farm, at an elevator, or at an end user such as ethanol. Did you forward price the delivery? Are you storing for hopeful higher pricing moving forward?
Every scenario is probably in play for every grower here in Indiana as well as the entire Midwest. These decisions are generally the same every year no matter what the yield because none of us want to put all of our eggs in one basket. It’s always about spreading the risk.
The same can be said about our exports and the final destination of our crops. Nearly 62 percent of U.S. soybeans are exported, and our biggest customer is China. So far this year, minimal sales have made it to that destination. How can we compensate for that market being nearly closed for the entire 2025 calendar year?
International trade is the key component to Indiana agriculture succeeding in moving into 2026. Indiana is 38th in terms of size, but we are seventh in farm exports. Corn, soybeans and pork account for more than $6.4 billion from Indiana. An estimated one-third of Indiana’s farm income is exported. Our primary export countries are Canada, Mexico, Japan and Turkey.
Tariffed countries seem to not allow our products to move throughout the world. This suppresses our prices here domestically. Political delegations are key to our exports inbound and outbound to ensure that Indiana agriculture succeeds moving forward. Exports of corn and soybeans are simply not filling the gaps. We must be innovative in how we market and sell future products worldwide.
Meat is a notable example of how we can move our products into the world market. Processing the grain and feeding the livestock domestically can help with the exportation of those products through an animal such as beef or pork.
When we sell our commodity here in Indiana, we need to look at two areas for that crop: One is called commodity based and the other is called value added.
Commodity based is simply selling the whole grain as it is to a buyer no matter where in the county or world it is destined for end use. Value added is taking the commodity and processing or inserting it within another product to increase the value of the outcome.
Most value-added products are “worth more” than the raw material and can significantly boost the cost of the product that we as farmers produce. So, in times such as these where raw exports of corn and soybeans are at their lows, the value-added sector can help offset that deficiency.
Agencies in Indiana are the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, and your corn and soybean checkoffs that continually look for other avenues and promote our products locally as well as around the world.
Simpson to lead policy staff
Sarah Ash Simpson has been hired by the Indiana Soybean Alliance to serve as its Senior Director of Public Policy and Industry Affairs. Simpson has 20 years of experience in policy leadership – most recently with the Indiana Board of Animal Health.
A Tippecanoe County native, Simpson was raised on a grain and hog farm in Carroll County. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and Juris Doctor from the Valparaiso University School of Law.
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ASA calls for U.S.-China soybean trade deal, responds to new MAHA strategy
BY BLAIR SHIPP American Soybean Association
As U.S. soybean farmers head into the 2025 harvest, many face unprecedented market pressures. Retaliatory tariffs on American soybeans have made U.S. supplies less competitive in global markets, while rising input costs add financial strain at the same time farmers are bringing in this year’s crop.
With international markets shifting and domestic policy evolving, the coming months will be critical for soybean producers as they navigate challenges to maintain profitability and market access.
ASA continues to urge the White House to prioritize U.S. soybeans in ongoing trade negotiations with China. In a letter sent Aug. 19 to President Donald Trump, ASA outlined the urgent need to remove Chinese tariffs on U.S. soybeans and secure purchase commitments.
The organization highlighted that China imports more than 60 percent of the world’s soybean supply and has historically relied on U.S. producers. Retaliatory tariffs, however, have made U.S. soy roughly 20 percent more expensive than South American supplies, prompting China to turn to Brazil.
The letter, which has gained significant attention in national media, emphasized the immediate economic impact on U.S. farmers. Approaching harvest, many soybean growers have no contracts for U.S. soybeans, while input and equipment costs continue to rise.
ASA’s economics department released a white paper detailing the potential consequences of losing longterm market share in China. Current figures referenced in ASA communications reflect the situation as of mid-August 2025 and may evolve as trade negotiations continue.
The trade situation has been further complicated
by a federal appeals court ruling limiting presidential authority to impose broad tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The decision, which is stayed pending an expedited Supreme Court appeal, adds uncertainty to ongoing negotiations and future tariff policies. ASA continues to monitor developments closely and advocate for policies that protect U.S. soybean competitiveness.
MAHA Strategy shows progress
On Sept. 9, the White House released the Make Our Children Healthy Again (MAHA) Strategy, the second publication from the Commission since its May report. ASA commended the administration for increasing engagement with agricultural stakeholders and incorporating constructive changes, particularly in pesticide policy.
The May MAHA report criticized pesticide use, especially glyphosate and atrazine, linking them to health concerns. Since the release of the May report, ASA has been actively engaged with the Commission to ensure that agricultural perspectives are represented.
The organization met with Commission staff multiple times over several months, providing detailed recommendations on pesticide policy, precision agriculture and seed oils. ASA also coordinated with a broad coalition of food and agriculture stakeholders to provide scientific data and address misinformation, helping the Commission better understand modern farming practices and the economic realities facing soybean farmers.
These efforts contributed to revisions in the Strategy, including acknowledgment of EPA’s science-based review process, support for voluntary precision agriculture adoption, and the removal of negative rhetoric around seed oils.
Confidence in EPA review
The new Strategy acknowledges the Environmental Protection Agency’s science-based registration process and the importance of public confidence in EPA review procedures.
ASA supports efforts to improve efficiency and reduce the backlog of new pesticide label approvals while monitoring recommendations related to cumulative chemical exposure in children to ensure they remain grounded in science.
The Strategy also highlights the role of precision agriculture in reducing pesticide use, lowering input costs, and helping farmers achieve conservation goals. ASA emphasized that policies should remain voluntary and address barriers such as equipment costs and tariffs on steel and aluminum, which affect access to precision agriculture technology. Expanding access to precision agriculture while maintaining farmer choice is critical to supporting efficiency and environmentally responsible practices.
The Strategy removed negative rhetoric surrounding
seed oils, marking progress in recognizing their role in a healthy diet. However, ASA will continue monitoring federal rulemaking on infant formula, ultra-processed foods, and the Dietary Guidelines for America, as upcoming policy changes could challenge soybean oil markets. ASA remains committed to promoting soybean oil as a heart-healthy alternative that supports early childhood development and maintaining access to essential markets.
Maintaining competitiveness is key
Following the Strategy’s release, the MAHA Commission will pause operations until its mandate is updated. ASA will remain engaged to ensure action items do not limit soybean market access or restrict farmers’ use of essential pesticides.
With domestic policy evolving and international markets shifting, ASA will continue advocating for soybean farmers on trade, pesticide regulations and precision agriculture.
The association emphasizes the importance of sciencebased policies and fair market access to maintain competitiveness for U.S. soybean producers.
Latest MAHA Commission report is much improved for agriculture
BY LESLY McNITT, NCGA Vice President of Public Policy
One of the many lessons I have learned during my two-plus decades in Washington is that shaping policy recommendations takes hard work and persistence because most policy change is incremental. So, when you see a window of opportunity to make an impact, you take it and give it everything you’ve got.
You may recall that in June I provided an update on NCGA’s concerns that some of the work being conducted by the Make America Healthy Again Commission would compromise farmer access to key crop production tools. This month, the commission released its long-awaited final recommendations reflecting a major shift in tone and substance related to pesticide use and crop production.
The commission had released its first report in May, looking at a host of causal factors related to childhood health, including vaccines and food consumption. Corn grower leaders and other farmers were concerned that they were left out of the process for developing the report, and with the substance of the report itself.
The report cast doubt on the safe use of two key pesticides, glyphosate and atrazine, which have decades of regulatory reviews and research establishing their safety.
Why is this a concern to you?
Because if farmers were to lose access to these pesticides, it could lead to a 70 percent reduction in corn yield. The National Corn Board directed our staff to hit this issue head on, and we went to work.
The National Corn Growers Association and other ag groups pushed back on the draft recommendations. We sounded the alarm through the news media, and working with a coalition of farm and commodity groups, we sent open letters to members of Congress conveying our concerns.
Corn farmers across the country engaged in a call to action and shared their personal stories on NCGA’s Pesticide Perspectives platform. We met with members of Congress to explain the importance of pesticides, the great lengths farmers must go to apply them safely and with precision, and we shared the science-based information that supports their safety for intended use.
NCGA’s leadership and policy staff shared these facts publicly and called on the White House to intervene. As a result of these efforts, we began hearing more from administration officials, including those working closely with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
With our encouragement, these officials visited farms, reviewed research and considered the impact the recommendations could have on farmers and rural communities.
For more on NCGA
We developed common ground with these officials around soil health and precision farming. We soon started seeing a change in the posture among MAHA and administration officials who began more regular one-on-one meetings with us to hear our perspective.
When the commission released its policy recommendations on Sept. 9, we were delighted that the final recommendations reflected our feedback, including reaffirming that the Environmental Protection Agency is the appropriate agency for regulating crop inputs. And much of the negative language about these pesticides from the original report was omitted in favor of a more science-based approach.
The report also added soil health and precision agriculture as new priorities, which we look forward to engaging on further. The news media labeled the development a big win for farmers. But I like to look at it as an important step toward ensuring science-based policies and regulations around pesticide use.
We are proud of NCGA’s ability to impact policy outcomes that affect corn farmers, but we’re also cleareyed that our work on this issue is far from finished. There was language in the draft report on cumulative exposure, which captured our attention and is something we will monitor as we go forward.
We know that the devil is in the details and our continued engagement in the regulatory process will be critical. We also know that efforts are underway in the states to pass legislation on pesticide use. So, ag advocates will need to regroup and focus on those efforts.
One of the reasons our campaign on the MAHA report was successful is because it fully integrated NCGA’s direct advocacy, communications and grassroots strength for maximum impact. We will draw on that playbook to inform our strategy for other pressing policy priorities, like helping to increase new export opportunities and passing legislation that will allow for year-round, nationwide consumer access to 15 percent ethanol fuel blends at the pump.
But for now, let’s take a moment to celebrate that we came together to overcome a significant obstacle. It’s a powerful reminder of what this organization can achieve when we all work together, and corn farmers make their voices heard.
From
property taxes at the Statehouse to the Farm Bill on Capitol Hill, the Indiana Ag Policy Podcast
will share the latest from the biggest names in ag policy. Scan below to listen now!
Lamb: Rural economic development creates opportunities for agriculture
BY DON LAMB Director, Indiana State Department of Agriculture
When you’re a farmer and you hear the words, “economic development,” it tends to bring mixed reactions. To those of us that love the land, it can seem like a threat to our very livelihood. Rural economic development though, is something we all need to take seriously.
Why is it important for agriculture to have a seat at the table of economic development? Our rural economy will impact whether our children and grandchildren have opportunities to spend their lives where they grew up. The rural economy will dictate what our healthcare and childcare systems look like.
While it can feel like a threat, it can also be the key to that same livelihood we want to protect. That’s why when Gov. Mike Braun asked me if I would be part of the Indiana Economic Development Board, I didn’t have to think long – absolutely. Connecting agriculture to economic development in Indiana has been a constant priority of our State Department of Agriculture.
In the previous administration, the IEDC was focused on incentivizing new business to come to our state. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, Sustainea is one such company that will add value to corn products that are processed at Primient in Lafayette. This may add 42,000 bushels of corn demand per day, and it wouldn’t have happened without a strong pitch from the IEDC.
Agricultural economic development does not always need to be hundreds of millions of capital expenditure, or hundreds of new jobs to make a huge difference in a rural community. Gov. Braun has a different focus and has committed to see economic development reach the four corners of the state and everywhere in between.
One pillar of his plan is to help the businesses that are already in Indiana to continue to succeed. This is good for Indiana agriculture.
The rural economy will determine the quality of life that is available because there is a vibrant community with social and recreational opportunities. Agriculture has always been the backbone of the Indiana economy. As technology advances, there will be more opportunities for young people to get excited about producing the next generation of food products.
Agricultural economic development will be fueled by entrepreneurship, and the drivers of this economy need a clear path to success. The tools that have been used to bring new manufacturing business to Indiana can be used to provide opportunities for agriculture and rural communities.
I love rural Indiana. There is no better place to raise a family. That’s why we can’t afford to look at economic development only as a threat to our livelihood. Preserving our land and our agricultural heritage can go hand in hand with economic development.
Local control and good planning can provide a foundation for the next generation, both on and off the farm. There will be opportunities to bring production, processing, or packaging of a certain farm product to a certain region of the state.
My opinion? Stay engaged with local officials. Stay engaged with local economic development teams. Your communities are better places to live because of the farmers and farm families that live there.
Houchin: Closing the digital divide essential for Indiana farm economy
BY U.S. REP. ERIN HOUCHIN Republican, District 9
In Indiana’s Ninth District, agriculture is not just an industry. It is a way of life.
Our farmers produce the food, fuel and fiber that sustain America, and they do it with determination and an embrace of innovation. To stay competitive in a modern economy, they need something that too often does not reach their fields: reliable broadband.
For years, the United States has invested billions in closing the digital divide, yet many rural communities are still left behind. One major reason is that the FCC’s broadband map, the tool used to decide where federal dollars are directed, often misses farmland. Right now, barns and farmhouses might be mapped as having internet access but the cropland and pastures where farming actually happens are not. It is critical to have an accurate representation of the coverage gaps because if the map does not show the need, funding does not follow.
That is why I recently introduced the bipartisan Data BRIDGE Act. This common sense bill directs the FCC to incorporate existing USDA cultivated land data into the broadband map. The USDA already collects this information and integrating it into the FCC’s system will give us a more accurate picture of where internet access is truly needed.
This matters because modern farming is powered by precision agriculture. In fact, one farmer in my district recently purchased a new combine that depends on constant wireless connectivity to operate correctly. Without reliable internet access in the field, these combines cannot transmit the data they collect making Indiana farmers less competitive in a connected ag economy. Across Indiana, farmers are investing in tractors, planters, sensors, and irrigation systems that all rely on real-time data. With broadband that extends beyond the barn and into the field, these tools help farmers adjust operations to suit the need and increase yields per acre.
The Data BRIDGE Act is not about new mandates or costly programs. It is about using the data we already have so taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and where they will make the most difference. By ensuring broadband maps reflect cropland and pastures, we can make sure funding for precision ag reaches the acres where it is needed most.
This effort is bipartisan, with support from Republicans and Democrats. We all understand the importance of reliable internet access, whether for farmers in rural Indiana, students in small towns, or businesses in underserved communities.
Closing the digital divide is about more than convenience. It is about economic growth, food security, and ensuring rural America has the same opportunities as everyone else. The Data BRIDGE Act brings us one step closer to making that a reality, and I am proud to lead the charge on behalf of Indiana farmers and families.
U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin (R-Dist. 9) poses with ICMC President Tim Gauck following a Shop Talk on his farm near Greensburg, Ind.
Tariffs, trade and year-round E15 top talking points from Shop Talks
BY EMILY McNIFF
The Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee (M&P) and the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) wrapped up the 2025 Shop Talk season in the final week of August. With three Shop Talks across the state, more than 120 farmers, ag professionals and legislative staff attended policy meetings to engage with legislators and farmer leaders on ag issues.
Farmers scored a policy victory during this year’s Shop Talk season. U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-Dist. 1) agreed to support legislation for year-round access to E15 fuel – a blend of 15 percent ethanol with 85 percent gasoline. Mrvan announced he would co-sponsor the bill while attending a Shop Talk in Porter County, Ind.
Phil and Cindy Ramsey hosted a Shop Talk in Shelby County on August 5 with 43 attendees, including staff from the offices of U.S. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-Dist. 6).
ICGA and M&P staff facilitated a farmer leader panel to share more about board priorities, farm policy issues and checkoff project success stories. The panel featured host farmer Phil Ramsey, Mike Koehne of Decatur County, Chris Eck of Shelby County and Phil Zicht of Randolph County.
Koehne encouraged building farmer-legislator relationships. “You know that you are making an impact, and that our leaders in D.C. look to us for advice when you get a call from the personal cell phone of your elected official to ask you how a bill they are about to vote on might impact you,” he said.
Max Engling, the Central Indiana Regional Director for Sen. Banks, shared that while he was a staff member based in Washington, D.C., he and his
colleagues appreciated the professionalism and expertise that corn and soybean farmers bring to meetings on Capitol Hill.
The August 12 Shop Talk in Spencer County was at the event venue of farmer and ISA board director Gary McDaniel. Nearly 50 attendees gathered to hear remarks from U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Dist. 9) and engage in discussions about how work in the nation’s capital impacts rural and agricultural communities. Tariffs, trade and access to medical care and insurance were the trending topics for participants.
Messmer remained to listen in on the farmer panel featuring host farmer Gary McDaniel, J.R. Roesner of Dubois County and Larry Rusch of Knox County. These farmers shared their experiences and priorities while serving on the corn and soybean boards.
“I serve on the ICGA Board, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council Board and the National Corn Growers Association Board,” Roesner said. “What I’ve learned is that farmers across the country have very similar concerns. We are our best representatives when discussing farm policy work with legislators, and we also care the most about checkoff work that finds new export markets or expands opportunities for commodities like ethanol.”
The final Shop Talk took place on the farm of Robert Little, which is on the Lake County and Porter County line.
The Shop Talk was co-hosted by Tom Murphy, a Porter County farmer and an ICGA director.
Murphy and farmers Denise Scarborough of LaPorte County and John Peters of Carroll County discussed issues impacting corn and soybean growers and
(Continued on page 15)
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-Dist. 1) speaks with farmers during a shop talk on a Porter County farm.
More than 30 legislators, 100 attendees participated in this year’s Rural Caucus
BY DAVE BLOWER JR.
Among the annual events at the Indiana State Fair is the Rural Caucus, a gathering of state lawmakers who are from rural communities or who are interested in rural or farm policy.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and several state senators and representatives –along with industry officials from the Indiana Soybean Alliance, the Indiana Corn Growers Associations and other farm groups – attended this year’s caucus on Aug. 13 in the Normandy Barn at the State Fairgrounds. Braun encouraged the legislators in attendance to consider rural communities when considering new laws in the next General Assembly in January 2026.
Medicine, said he is working to get more veterinarians into rural areas around the state. Andrew Sherman of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture discussed the value of farm exports to those in rural communities.
“We had everything from Homeland Security to the Department of Ag and their trade development,” Leising said. “We had healthcare people in discussing the impact of state and federal legislation on hospitals.”
Leising added the Rural Caucus helps make sure rural communities don’t get left out of economic development discussions.
This year was the largest Rural Caucus gathering, boasting more than 30 legislators and 100 attendees.
Led by State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg, Ind.) and State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle, Ind.) led a wide range of discussions during the day-long meeting. Dr. Bret Marsh, Dean of Purdue’s College of Veterinary
(Continued from page 14)
expanding market opportunities. Following the farmer panel, U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-Dist. 1) joined attendees and opened the floor for participants to share any concerns or questions they may have.
Scarborough, who is ISA’s Board Chair and a director for the American Soybean Association, shared an ASA letter that was sent to President Trump urging his administration to prioritize soybeans in U.S.-China trade talks.
China is the largest export market for U.S. soybeans going into the 2025 soybean harvest. Retaliatory tariffs make U.S. soybeans 20 percent more expensive causing China to turn to trade competitors like Brazil.
Mrvan reiterated his commitment to support soybean and corn farmers through his work on the House
“Indiana has a $35 billion agricultural industry,” she said. “People just don’t realize that. I was just in a meeting in the last couple days where I wanted to stand up and scream, they were talking about other economic development, and I said, ‘Don’t forget, agriculture is an annual amount of $35 billion, and that doesn’t include all the extra things.’”
Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science that focuses on providing oversight and direction for the International Trade Commission.
This Shop Talk season accomplished its goals of discussing many important topics with elected officials and legislative staff. These events offer opportunities for farmers and rural constituents share concerns and ask questions of those representing them in Washington, D.C. and at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
Become a member of M&P and ICGA to stay informed of more opportunities to engage with legislators and their staff to raise the issues most important to you. Reach out to Khyla Goodman at kgoodman@ indianasoybean.com for membership details.
State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) presents Indiana Gov. Mike Braun with a plaque for attending the Rural Caucus during the Indiana State Fair.
Take action to help Hoosier farmers
Become a lifetime member of Indiana’s corn and soybean policy
groups
The Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership & Policy Committee (M&P) represent our state’s farmers in the legislative halls in Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. These organizations need your membership to influence federal and state lawmakers.
Indiana soybean and corn growers can now save money and eliminate the hassle of annual renewals by purchasing a LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP to both ICGA and M&P. For only $1,700, you can be a member of both ICGA and M&P for life!
Anyone interested in buying this membership, should contact Industry Affairs Outreach Manager Khyla Goodman by phone at 317-614-0377 or by email at kgoodman@indianasoybean.com. Or, you can go to our website, incornandsoy.org/membership, to join!
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Cullen Page
Don Wyss
John Peters
Bruce Herr
Lauren Tolle
Luke Roush
James Wood
Allen Buchanan
Matt Hart
Ron Hudson
Mark Tolle
Carl Kissel
Chris Eck
James Wenning
JR Roesner
William Roesner
Sarah Delbecq
Jim Geller Jr.
C.J. Chalfant
William Gerard Carey McKibben
Neal Smith
Matthew Chapman
Jim Flanders
Chris Cherry
Luke Mullet
Tom Murphy
Matt Hayden
Kevin Kelley
Douglas Matthys
Randall Matthys
Brian Warpup
Tom Weaver
Larry Rusch
Chad Chism
Troy Furrer
Allen Buchanan, Fowler, Ind.
“I’m a lifetime member because I feel it is important to advocate for farmers who grow corn and soybeans like myself on our farm in Benton County, Ind. The issue, I think, that is in the limelight today is our tariff issue. Once all of those issues are resolved, we’re going to be able to move that pile of corn and soybeans to markets around the world. We’ve got outstanding demand domestically, now we need to continue to push those products out to other countries.” got outstanding demand domestically, now we need to continue to push those products out to other countries.”
Gov. Braun says he will continue to advocate for Hoosier farmers
BY DAVE BLOWER JR.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun covered an array of farm topics in a “Fireside Chat” with Courtney Kingery, CEO of the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council during the Indiana Ag Policy Summit on July 30 at the Boone County Fairgrounds.
The Summit is an annual policyfocused program presented by the ISA’s Membership and Policy Committee and ICGA. Approximately 160 farmers, industry stakeholders, legislative staff and state and federal lawmakers attended the Summit.
In addition to Gov. Braun, U.S. Reps. Jim Baird (R-Dist. 4), Jefferson Shreve (R-Dist. 6), State Sen. Brian Buchanan (R-Lebanon, Ind.) and State Reps. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle, Ind.), Mike Aylesworth (R-Hebron) and Mark Genda (R-Frankfort) discussed ag policy with the Hoosier farmers. Also, ISDA Director Don Lamb presented his “State of Indiana Agriculture” speech.
and other pesticides are important,” he said. “Take those away from us, and the cost of production is going to go up and our productivity will go down. Gov. Braun has had conversations with President Trump, USDA Secretary (Brooke) Rollins and RKF Jr. (Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.) about how important it is to keep those products. I am hopeful that they won’t take those products away.”
Biofuels boosting soybean oil market
Braun said he was an advocate for Hoosier farmers while serving in the U.S. Senate and added he was one of two senators with a farm background on the Senate Ag Committee. “Indiana farmers feed, clothe and fuel America, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to share the wins we secured for Hoosier farmers this year: Cutting property taxes and creating new opportunities to get fresh, local produce into Indiana schools and homes through our Make Indiana Healthy Again initiative,” Gov. Braun said.
Braun said he will continue to seek common sense solutions to farm policy issues at both the state and federal levels. He discussed protecting agriculture from losing crop protection products from potential Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) regulations, expanding available energy options, improving rural infrastructure and maintaining Indiana’s position as a strong ag state.
ICGA President Chris Cherry, a farmer from New Palestine, Ind., was pleased to hear that Gov. Braun will continue to advocate for farmers by supporting crop protection products from potential regulation. “Glyphosate, atrazine
No Bull Founder and Market Analyst Susan Stroud told Summit attendees that the Trump Administration has boosted the soybean oil market by proposing higher volume requirements for biodiesel blends of diesel fuel. In June, the EPA announced it would increase the blend volume requirement from 3.35 billion gallons this year to 5.61 billion gallons in 2026.
In addition, the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit is designed to incentivize biofuel producers to use feedstocks with lower carbon intensity scores – like soybeans or corn from farms that utilize sustainable practices. While the credit would go to biofuel producers, farmers could receive premiums with demand increasing for domestically sourced, sustainable feedstocks.
Stroud said domestic demand for soybeans has been strong, but domestic demand also increases the cost of exported soybeans. She added that getting new trade deals in place soon would help stabilize exports. In the past soybean meal has been the driver for soybean prices. For several years now, she said, the U.S. soybean market has become driven by the value of soybean oil.
“Half of all meal demand here in the United States goes to broiler chickens, which is great, but we’re going to have to find more ways to export soybean meal so that we can maintain crush margins and keep crushing for oil,” Stroud said.
Courtney Kingery, CEO of the Indiana Soybean Alliance, the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, interviews Gov. Mike Braun near the end of the Ag Policy Summit.
From left, ICGA President Chris Cherry, a farmer from New Palestine; former ISA, ICMC and ICGA board director Mike Beard, a farmer from Frankfort, and former Indiana Pork President Brian Martin, a pork producer from Carroll County, answer questions during a panel discussion about checkoff work.
Value of checkoff programs
Two portions of the Summit covered corn and soybean checkoff programs. Harrison Pittman of the National Agriculture Law Center gave a presentation titled, “The State and Federal Checkoff Landscape.” Following that speech, Kingery led a farmer panel on the topic featuring Mike Beard, a Frankfort, Ind., farmer and former ISA, ICGA and Indiana Pork board member; Brian Martin, a Williamsport, Ind., pork producer and Indiana Pork board member; and ICGA President Chris Cherry.
Pittman said Indiana is a major U.S. soybean producer, and checkoffs like ISA are the avenue for private entities, farmers, to invest in the soybean industry. But he noted that Indiana is one of only a few soybean-producing states that does not have a state soybean checkoff law. ISA operates under the federal soybean checkoff law. Pittman added that if the federal law were to ever cease, then Indiana’s checkoff program would not be able to continue. However, he added that Indiana could adopt a state soybean checkoff enabling language that would serve as a safety net and only be triggered if the federal checkoff were to cease.
Kevin Wilson, a former United Soybean Board director and a farmer from Walton, Ind., asks a question during the Ag Policy Summit in Lebanon, Ind. At left is Bernie Engel, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture at Purdue University.
Beard said he initially got involved in checkoff work as a pork producer in the late 1990s when the pork market was suffering. “I got involved because I didn’t think the pork checkoff was doing a good job addressing the crisis in 1998 and 1999,” Beard explained. “I got on the board because I thought I could change things. I could make things right. I learned an awful lot during that first year on the board. Many of the programs the pork producers were involved in were trying to save Indiana’s pork producers from extinction. . . . My advice to those who serve on these boards or want to serve is to organize and work together so we can speak with one voice. We need to play together in the sandbox and not throw sand at each other.”
Baird, Shreve greet farmers
The Summit’s formal program ended at 12:30 p.m. allowing time for farmers to interact with lawmakers or legislative staff, eat lunch and visit the Technology Showcase. U.S. Rep. Baird and U.S. Rep Shreve posed for photos with constituents and talked farm policy with farmers during this time.
Baird is on the House Ag Committee, and he listened to several farmers who hope Congress will adopt a new farm bill this year. Both Baird and Shreve hosted Indiana farmers earlier this month as they visited representatives on Capitol Hill. Many sponsors supported this year’s Ag Policy Summit. The Gold Level sponsors were Farm Credit Mid-America, Bayer Crop Science and Corteva Agriscience. Indiana Pork was the Silver Level sponsor. The Bronze sponsors were FMC, Conexus Indiana, Beck’s Hybrids, Halderman Real Estate & Farm Management and First Farmers Bank and Trust. The Break sponsor was FMC, and the lunch sponsor was the United Soybean Board.
ICGA and M&P rely on event sponsorship and membership dollars to advocate on behalf of Hoosier farmers. For more information about the summit, membership or corporate partnerships, contact Khyla Goodman, Industry Affairs Outreach Manager for M&P and ICGA, at 317-614-0377 or email kgoodman@indianasoybean.com.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, center, poses with ISA Membership & Policy Committee Chair Brian Warpup, at left, ICGA President Chris Cherry, at right, and ISA and ICGA CEO Courtney Kingery, far right.
Purdue advocate John Baugh named 2025 Friend of Farmer award winner
BY DAVE BLOWER JR.
John Baugh, Purdue University’s Director of Agricultural Services and Regulations, was presented with the 2025 Friend of Farmer award at the Indiana Ag Policy Summit on July 30 from Brian Warpup, Chair of the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee (M&P) and Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) President Chris Cherry.
The Friend of Farmer award is presented by ICGA and M&P to a policy leader who leads and advocates on issues that benefit Indiana farmers. As an ex-officio board member for M&P and ICGA, and a career with Purdue and Indiana Farm Bureau, Baugh easily qualified for the honor.
Baugh is the eighth winner of the award. Past winners include U.S. Rep. Jim Baird (R-Dist. 4), National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney, State Rep. Don Lehe (R-Brookston, Ind.), State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg, Ind.), U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Dist. 2), State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso, Ind.) and U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.).
“Baugh has been a steady presence at the Indiana Statehouse for more than three decades,” Warpup said. “He has helped shape critical legislation affecting farmers and rural communities.”
He has lobbied for farmers at the Indiana Statehouse since 1987. Some of the efforts he has campaigned for include:
• Establishing the Indiana Grain Indemnity Fund
• Creating the Indiana corn checkoff law
• Expanding rural broadband access
• Modernizing chemical applicator licensing
• Supporting Sustainable agronomic practices
“The old saying goes, ‘If you like good laws and good sausage, you should never see either one made,’” Baugh quipped. “You know, I like sausage, and I like good policy. I’ve seen them both made, and I still like good sausage and good laws.”
He worked on regional projects such as brokering a partnership between Vincennes University and Purdue’s Southwest Agricultural Center in Knox County. He also led funding efforts for the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in West Lafayette, Ind., and the Heeke Diagnostic Lab in Dubois County. These efforts have led to a few awards in recent years.
“John Baugh has been a respected advocate in academia and public policy,” Cherry said. “He was honored with the Hovde Award for Excellence in Educational Service in 2022, and he was awarded the 2024 AgriVision Award from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. We’re happy to have him add this award to his trophy case.”
John Baugh, Purdue University’s Director of Agricultural Services and Regulations, receives the 2025 Friend of Farmer award from ISA’s Membership and Policy Committee Chair Brian Warpup, at left, and Indiana Corn Growers Association President Chris Cherry, at right, during the Indiana Ag Policy Summit on July 30 at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Ind.
After a long career with Indiana Farm Bureau, John Baugh changed careers to work with his alma mater, Purdue University, in 1995. In 2022, Baugh won the Hovde Award for Excellence in Educational Service.
Along with former Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, far left, and ISDA Director Don
was honored with the 2024 AgriVision award from ISDA. Also winning the award last year was ISA Senior Director of Market Development Ed Ebert.
A love for farming
Among other Indiana corn and soybean farmers, John Baugh participated in a poultry cooking challenge organized by the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council in 2024.
Baugh said his path to Purdue started in an unusual location.
“I am actually one of the few Purdue grads who lived in Monroe County (home of Purdue rival Indiana University,” he said smiling.
Baugh was born and raised on a small farm in Monroe County, Ind. His father kept beef and dairy cows and a “mixed bag” of other farm products, but he primarily was employed by Allison Transmission.
“But I loved farming,” Baugh said. “I got active in 4-H, and I did the 10 years. I showed hogs and sheep. I had a beef steer one year. I was really into livestock.”
After attending Purdue for two years, Baugh was drafted into the U.S. Army. He spent the next 19 month on active duty – 14 of those in Vietnam.
“I always figured I would go out West to work,” Baugh said. “I love cattle, and I love the beef industry, so that was kind of the goal. After the Army, though, I thought Indiana was a darn good place to live.”
Following his military service, he returned to Purdue with better focus, more mature, and graduated in 1972 with a degree in animal science. Later that year, he married his wife, Barbara. The couple ended up having three children: a daughter, Gretchen; a son, Chrisly, and another son, Clint. Today, the couple now enjoys visits from four grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.
Later in 1972, Baugh was
hired to do livestock carcass evaluations by Marion Stackhouse, who led Indiana Farm Bureau’s commodity department. He would travel the state and evaluate carcasses in processing plants and collecting data.
Occasionally, he would give educational programs to clubs and school classes about carcass evaluation. This was his career until the late 1980s.
After being assured that he would continue to work with farmers, Baugh moved to the legislative department at Indiana Farm Bureau in 1987. Mostly he worked on policies regarding transportation and anything pertaining to the General Assembly’s ag committees.
By 1995, an opportunity opened at Purdue University for a policy position within the ag department, and he was hired by then-Dean of Agriculture Vic Lechtenberg.
“It was a job opening at Purdue that I could do without having a Ph.D. or anything like that,” Baugh said. “I struggled a little bit about the decision to leave Farm Bureau and go to Purdue. I’d lay awake at night think, ‘I’m going to have to this; I’ve got to do that.’
A knowledgeable source on a variety of ag topics, John Baugh is a source for media regarding farm policy topics. In this photo, Baugh is interviewed by Hoosier Ag Today’s Eric Pfeiffer.
But my heart was at Purdue, and it was a good move. I’ve been doing it for 30 years, so it must’ve been a good move.”
Philosophy of policy
Baugh said he learned many years ago that building coalitions between many groups and many people is the best way to create beneficial new policies. He’s applied that belief to many campaigns such as creating the
Lamb, far right, John Baugh
Indiana Grain Indemnity Fund, fighting for farm-friendly weight limits for transportation of ag commodities, establishing the Indiana corn checkoff law and much more.
“First of all, let me say this, I’ve never done anything by myself,” Baugh explained. “I’ve always been part of a team. When I played basketball in grade school, I was on a team. When I got to Vietnam, I was on an advisory team. At Farm Bureau, I was on membership, legislative teams and more. So, People don’t get much done all by themselves. You’ve got to bring something to the conversation, but you’ve got to have people with you to get anything accomplished.”
He said good organizations are fiscally responsible, responsive to their membership and communicates its programs and progress frequently.
“It’s a difficult situation to manage, really,” Baugh said. “Ideally, you shouldn’t need to spend money telling me what you’re doing, you just need to spend it on the things I want you to do. But if your membership doesn’t know what you’re doing – if you’re not communicating with them – then your members don’t understand that you’re accomplishing their goals.”
He added that ISA’s Membership and Policy Committee will consider working with lawmakers to introduce a bill that will provide a safety net for the state soybean checkoff program. At present, the Indiana Soybean Alliance only exists by an act of federal law. If the federal checkoff law should ever be overturned, then ISA’s efforts to expand soybean markets, research growing techniques, develop new soy-based products and more would cease.
ISA hopes to work with a lawmaker to create a state soybean checkoff law that would only kick into action if the federal law is overturned. All other top soybean-growing states already have this law in place. Baugh said it is a good plan, and he will work to help it advance.
“This also will give us a chance to talk to farmers about all of the good things the checkoff is doing for Indiana farmers,” he said. “It will be a good opportunity to build relationships with farmers and lawmakers and to show folks what good can be done when people are working together.”
John Baugh, at center, talks about how U.S. soybeans and corn are exported through meat products such as chicken. Baugh attended a trade mission in Vietnam that encouraged sales of U.S. chicken products.
What do past award winners say about John Baugh?
State Sen. Jean Leising
2021 Friend of Farmer honoree
“John Baugh has worked for agriculture since his work in the 1990s with Indiana Farm Bureau when I first met him at the legislature. Since he has been at Purdue, I have worked with him on the grain indemnity issues, as well as pesticide and herbicide language. John has been a great supporter of mine as co-chair the Rural Caucus and work to educate all legislators on Ag and Rural issues.”
State Rep. Don Lehe (retired)
2022 Friend of Farmer honoree
“I am happy to support John Baugh as the Friend of Farmer award winner. John is a strong source of information on policy for Purdue’s Department of Agriculture and how policy impacts farmers and agri-businesses. He is a valuable resource for Purdue and the State of Indiana. He is especially effective when working with the legislature.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Baird
2024 Friend of Farmer honoree
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the Friend of the Farmer Award than John Baugh. He has dedicated his life to keeping good people involved in agriculture. It really benefits not only them but agriculture and the country as well.”
USDA crop report lockup a unique experience
BY LORI CYR, Indiana Corn Marketing Council Board Director
Walking into the USDA South Building in Washington, D.C. for the August Crop Production and WASDE Report was an experience I’ll never forget. WASDE refers to the USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.
As a farmer from Benton County, I’ve always known how impactful these reports are on the markets, but being in the room where they are released brought that reality to life in a new way.
Indiana farmers were invited to join this lockup briefing because our state is a major producer of corn and soybeans. The numbers that USDA releases don’t just move markets on paper, but they affect real farm families, our decisions for the season, and ultimately, our livelihoods. Having Indiana farmers in the room makes sure our voices, our experiences and our perspectives are connected to the process.
The lockup itself was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Phones are taken away, security is tight, and there are clear moments when silence is required. It underscored how market-sensitive this information is. For three hours, we watched the process unfold, from methodology briefings to hearing directly from USDA statisticians about how the data is collected.
I was especially struck by the multiple ways they arrive at their estimates: farmer surveys, crop reporting from FSA, and even satellite imagery. Knowing the rigor behind the numbers gave me a better appreciation for how much effort goes into producing a report that the entire agricultural economy depends on. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins was on hand to sign the report and also took the time to address our group of roughly 30–40 people in the room.
When the numbers were finally released, the shock was immediate. Yield and acreage estimates were higher than most of us expected. As farmers, we come in with our observations from the fields, and sometimes those don’t line up with what’s on the page. Seeing that difference firsthand and watching the immediate market reaction reminded me why this process is so critical.
For Indiana corn and soybean farmers, the latest USDA
reports bring both opportunities and challenges. Corn is in strong shape, with 72 percent of the crop rated goodto-excellent, and USDA now projects a record U.S. corn harvest of 16.7 billion bushels — up 13 percent from last year — driven by a record yield of 188.8 bushels per acre and larger harvested acres. That much supply could put pressure on prices unless demand picks up through exports, feed or ethanol.
On the soybean side, production is forecast at 4.29 billion bushels, down 2 percent from 2024, as record yields of 53.6 bushels per acre are being offset by fewer acres. For Indiana growers, the message is clear: while the crops are holding strong in the field, markets may remain heavy for corn, while soybeans could see some support from a tighter balance sheet.
August Crop Report and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report.
Indiana Corn Marketing Council Directors Lori Cyr, Ron Hensley and Jerry Osterholt and Indiana Soybean Alliance Directors Chris Eck and Andrew McDaniel pose in front of the USDA building in Washington, D.C., along with Lincoln Gaston of Poet Ag. This group participated in the USDA’s release of the
“When
the numbers were finally released, the shock was immediate. Yield and acreage estimates were higher than most of us expected.”
For checkoffs, this means we will need to continue doing what we do best – building the markets for corn and soy internationally, building demand, funding research on new uses.
For me, the biggest takeaway was confidence, not necessarily in every single number, but in understanding how USDA arrives at them. That knowledge helps me, and other Indiana farmers, make better decisions at home. Being present in the room ensured Indiana agriculture had a seat at the table in a moment that ripples across our markets and our farms.
This experience was more than a report release, it was about transparency, representation and making sure Indiana farmers are connected to the processes that shape our industry. I left D.C. with a deeper respect for the work USDA does, and with a stronger sense of why it matters that farmers like me are there to see it firsthand.
Logistics is Your Partner
Indiana farmers connect with diverse global customers at Soy Connext 2025
BY ERIN WORRELL, Communications Manager, U.S. Soybean Export Council
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) brings U.S. Soy buyers, sellers, growers and visionaries together every year for the premier global industry event: Soy Connext.
Against a backdrop of changing trade dynamics and increasing global demand for reliable, high-quality soy protein and oil, the 2025 event gathered more than 700 attendees from 59 countries in Washington D.C., August 20-22, with invaluable support from Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) sponsorship.
U.S. Soy is America’s top agricultural export, contributing $31.2 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2023-24 marketing year and traded in more than 80 countries. Fueled by rising global demand for soybean meal to support the expansion of global livestock, aquaculture and poultry production, USDA projects a 4.3 percent year-over-year increase in global soybean demand in the 2024-25 market year, reaching 346.2 million metric tons.
“Indiana exports roughly 40 percent of the soybeans raised here,” explained Derika Lynam-Spaetti, an ISA board director who farms near Richland City, Ind., and attended Soy Connext. “Connecting with international
customers builds rapport and trust in U.S. Soy. They have told us that they like to meet with the people growing the product they buy.”
The Soy Connext agenda featured expert talks, panel discussions focused on sustainability, plant-based protein trends, supply chain insights and global market dynamics. Plus, the Trade Team Invitational connected 315 key buyers and 43 exporter companies to strengthen trade relationships and explore market opportunities.
U.S. Soy customers and exporters value the insights gained during Soy Connext sessions. But opportunities to connect with others in the industry really make the event shine. Attendees got a real-time crop update from a farmer panel during the program. Plus, the “Ask a Farmer” lounge made it easy for customers to meet face-to-face with U.S. Soy farmers.
“The USSEC Korea managing director pulled me into a conversation with several Korean customers,” LynamSpaetti said. “I recently traveled to South Korea, so I am somewhat familiar with their market. The customers asked about my farm, why I farm, and my thoughts on current market predictions.”
Indiana farmers participated in a private breakfast session with the Chinese Soy Connext delegation, focusing on the historic and enduring role of U.S.-China soy trade.
In addition to time in Washington, D.C., many international attendees participated in trade team tours before or after the conference. The visits highlighted the U.S. soybean industry’s transparency and readiness to meet global demand, giving international buyers a firsthand look at the sustainable practices, innovation and stewardship that are core to the U.S. Soy value proposition.
For instance, a team from Taiwan visited an Indiana farm, two specialty grain merchandisers and the Indiana Soybean Alliance office just prior to Soy Connext.
QSSB support is integral to the Soy Connext program and bringing the most important customers to the United States.
“Networking and building relationships with buyers will grow and maintain our markets, and that’s part of the reason Indiana Soybean Alliance sponsored Soy Connext,” Lynam-Spaetti added.
“For every $1 of the Soy Checkoff we invest, we get an average return of more than $12. Soy Connext helps open new markets.”
Indiana farmers also will see a return on this investment as USSEC emphasizes the consistency, reliability, quality and sustainability of U.S. Soy. As demand for soy foods and soy products grows in emerging, expanding and established markets, the industry is focused on a strategy that builds on U.S. Soy’s reputation in the global marketplace.
Joe Stoller, Indiana Soybean Alliance vice chair and a farmer from Bremen, Ind., participated in the recognition of outstanding participants in USSEC Soy Excellence Center training programs, which was scheduled along with Soy Connext 2025.
Soy Connext 2025 brought together more than 700 attendees from 59 countries involved in the global soy value chain.
A Soy Connext attendee learns more about the Indiana Soybean Alliance at a dedicated kiosk in the main meeting room.
Indiana Soybean Alliance sponsorship added to the success of Soy Connext 2025 in Washington, D.C.
ISA touts U.S. red meat in Latin America
BY LARRY RUSCH, ISA District 3 Board Director
Buyers from 18 countries from across Central and South America and the Caribbean gathered with representatives of more than 80 U.S. red meat exporters at the 13th edition of the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s (USMEF) Latin American Product Showcase.
The event, July 30-31 in Guatemala City, has long been supported by the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA).
I had the privilege to join as buyers and sellers met face-to-face for two days in what has become a must-go event for exporting companies and importers, distributors, retailers and restauranteurs from throughout the Latin American region. We also toured Guatemalan retail to see U.S. beef and pork featured in wet markets, Walmart-affiliated stores and high-end groceries and butcher shops.
The region has changed since the early days of the showcase nearly 15 years ago. At that point, export volumes to Central and South America and the Caribbean were small, but there were emerging opportunities through a growing middle class and improved market access through trade agreements such as the Central America Dominican Republic-U.S. Free Trade Agreement and bilateral pacts with Colombia, Peru, Chile and Panama.
Today, Central America is a rising star destination for U.S. pork exports. In the first half of 2025, exports topped last year’s pace by 20 percent (88,260 metric tons, or mt) while valued soared 22 percent higher to $282 million.
steady with last year, Cuba has seen a 122 percent increase in volume (8,188 metric tons) and jumped 131 percent in value ($24.6 million).
One of the biggest challenges for U.S. exporters in building sales in the region is the number of countries and vast geography involved. The Latin American Product Showcase provides an unprecedented opportunity to meet directly with interested buyers from across the region in just two days.
“In two days, you have an opportunity to meet people from all the way from Chile through Puerto Rico through Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, in one location,” said Bob Giertz of Indiana Packers Corporation. “We do a lot of business into Central and Latin America and the Caribbean areas. And this draws a large customer base that we currently do business with but also gives us an opportunity to meet face-to-face with new customer opportunities and develop our business further.”
On our retail tours, we saw U.S. pork featured prominently and witnessed the strong demand for cuts that are underutilized in the domestic U.S. market. Interest in the pork loin is growing across Latin America thanks to the marketing and product development efforts of USMEF, in addition to the traditional demand for pork variety meats.
Buyers from 18 countries throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean met with representatives from more than 80 USMEF member companies at the 13th edition of the USMEF Latin American Product Showcase in Guatemala City.
First half exports to South America were up 14 percent from a year ago in volume (73,130 metric tons), and value rose 17 percent to more than $218 million.
While pork exports to the Caribbean have remained largely
In addition to the Indiana Soybean Alliance, the Latin American Product Showcase is supported by USDA, the National Pork Board, the Beef Checkoff Program and the Nebraska Beef Council.
The next USMEF Latin American Product Showcase is planned for the summer of 2027, with the location and dates to be determined. For more details on the 2025 event, please visit www.usmef.org. You can also scan this QR code to view video highlights from the event on your mobile device.
For more about Latin American Produce Showcase
ISA farmer-board members Larry Rusch and Chris Eck tour U.S. pork displays at a retail store in Guatemala.
‘Noche del Pato’ or the ‘Night of the Duck’ shines in Colombia
BOGOTA and MEDELLIN, Colombia – The culinary landscape of Colombia is undergoing a delightful transformation, thanks to a pair of events hosted by the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) and sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Alliance. Titled “Noche del Pato” – or The Night of the Duck) – these gatherings brought together industry leaders and culinary professionals in Bogota and Medellin for a unique experience dedicated to celebrating the versatility of American duck.
On July 21 at La Plaza de Andrés Restaurant in Bogota and on July 23 at the Inzolente Rooftop in Medellin, the atmosphere was a mix of networking, education and pure gastronomic enjoyment. More than 200 participants from leading hotels, restaurants and food service companies attended eager to discover the potential of this premium protein.
Each event featured interactive and educational booths. Executive Chef Daniel Riveros offered attendees a live demonstration, showcasing the art of cutting and cooking American duck. His presentation provided attendees with a deeper understanding of the product’s unique characteristics, cuts and culinary applications, reinforcing the advantages of adding American duck to their menus.
Attendees were treated to a menu of 4-5 appetizers, each a testament to duck’s versatility. From savory confit to perfectly seared breast, the dishes sparked conversations and inspired new ideas.
Importers Joyería Gastronómica and De La Sabana also hosted booths where they presented their product portfolios and pricing, making it easy for attendees to turn their
culinary inspiration into a solid business plan. The events served as a vital platform for building new relationships and strengthening existing ones, with the overall goal of driving sales and expanding the market for American duck.
A commercial triumph
.The “Noche del Pato” events were not just a feast for the senses; they were a commercial triumph. The meticulously planned gatherings, which began with preparations two months in advance, delivered impressive results that far exceeded expectations.
Surveys conducted after the events revealed overwhelming approval. An estimated 90 percent of attendees in Bogota and 87 percent in Medellin gave the speakers the highest possible rating. This positive feedback underscored the value of the technical and culinary information shared.
The most compelling data, however, came from the attendees’ business intentions. A remarkable 94.3 percent of Bogota’s participants and 98 percent of Medellin’s indicated that they would introduce American duck products into their business. Furthermore, a combined 90 percent across both cities found it beneficial to incorporate U.S. duck products.
“The venue was an excellent choice, providing a welcoming space for meaningful conversations with potential clients and ensuring the full attention of the audience,” said a representative from Joyería Gastronómica.
Another importer, De La Sabana, added, “This format has been highly effective in positioning duck within the HRI sector. It enabled strong connections with individuals who previously had no knowledge of duck.”
Organizers have identified key opportunities for growth. Future events may expand to cities such as Barranquilla to capitalize on strong market potential. They also plan to incorporate more market insights and international trends to further enrich the content for industry professionals.
The success of “Noche del Pato” 2025 has set a foundation for future initiatives, paving the way for American duck to become a staple in Colombian cuisine.
Chef Daniel Riveros leads an interactive cooking demonstration, surrounded by an engaged crowd of culinary professionals, during an event in Colombia.
USAPEEC consultants, Maple Leaf Farms executives and officials from the U.S. agricultural trade office in Bogota pose at an event in Colombia.
USGC amends name to U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council at annual meeting
During the 65th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting, U.S. Grains Council members voted and passed an organizational name amendment to transition from the U.S. Grains Council to the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council (USGBC).
“The Council stands on the precipice, and there is the opportunity for exponential growth with becoming the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council,” said Ryan LeGrand, U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council CEO and President. “The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council encompasses both the organization’s grains side and ethanol side to create one global powerhouse organization.
For more about USGC
“This organizational name change will open doors previously closed to us – those in the energy space for which our ethanol team are diligently trying to gain access to so we can spur sales in ways that we haven’t been able to in the past.”
The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council was founded in 1960 as the U.S. Feed Grains Council to develop new markets for U.S. coarse grains and co-products.
“We have paid special attention to choosing the right name without abandoning the 65 years of brand equity our members and our past leaders have worked so hard to create,” LeGrand said.
The U.S. Grains Council members voted and passed an organizational name amendment to change from the U.S. Grains Council to the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) on Friday morning at the 65th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting.
With nine offices overseas and the world headquarters in Washinton, D.C., the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council supports global economic development through partnerships, enabling U.S. agriculture’s profitability.
The Council may have a new name, but it is continuing its longstanding mission of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives. In June, with funds provided by the Indiana Corn Marking Council, the Council completed a multi-year project of installing a scalperator at a feed mill in Mexicali, Mexico.
In 2022, the USGBC completed an assessment at a feed mill that determined a scalperator would be needed to help the mill with steam flaking. The scalperator is used to ensure no broken grain and foreign material (BCFM) is in the grain during the steam flaking process. After the assessment, the Council worked with the mill to install the scalperator.
The scalperator made the steam flaking process easier, and two months after the installation, the feed mill is now feeding 71,000 cattle with U.S. corn.
The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council thanks the Indiana Corn Marketing Council for its support of this benchmark project that helps find solutions for eliminating BCFM in the steam flaking process.
U.S. Grains Council (USGC) staff based in Mexico oversaw the implementation of a scalperator, donated by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, at a feed mill in Mexicali. The investment will help eliminate broken corn and foreign material (BCFM) before steam flaking. The feed mill now feeds 71,000 cattle with U.S. corn.
Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative program highlighted at Purdue Field Days
BY SCOTT GABBARD, Senior Administrator, Purdue On The Farm
It happens almost every year in August, and this time it happened twice. We experienced two periods during the month when the nighttime temperatures dipped into the 50s –maybe even the 40s for some – and the daytime temperatures were in the mid-70s.
The sky was bright, the air was dry, and the teenager trapped inside this middle-aged man’s body knew that football was just around the corner. The three-a-day practices were also recalled but immediately pushed back into a dark corner of memories best forgotten.
August also marks the month of the State Fair and Field Days. All of the Purdue Ag Centers (PACs) hosted their annual tours, and some of us were fortunate enough to travel across the state line to see the Farm Progress Show. The same can be said of the commercial ag companies.
In every case, it was interesting to learn about some of the latest-greatest ideas or future products to be rolled out onto farms or into farm fields. Some ideas are old but need to be retold.
Ag 101 workshop
Last year, the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (ccsin.org), in partnership with Purdue
Extension, piloted an Ag 101 workshop for those who serve the agricultural row-crop community but are new to agriculture at Purdue-ACRE. This July, Purdue on the Farm took the leadership role and offered it at ACRE, NEPAC and SEPAC to make it more readily available to these new employees throughout the state.
Many branches of the USDA-APHIS/ FSA/NRCS, IDEM, DNR, OISC, SWCD’s and other conservation partners participated. We utilized the PACs so that participants could get out into the fields and see a variety of equipment used on farms specifically for corn and soybean production.
There were revisions from the previous year’s pilot to accommodate travel and time restrictions.
Overall, feedback from the 70 participants indicated that they appreciated the effort made to give them a holistic year-round view of the planning, paperwork, machinery and management of the crop itself to operate a grain farm in Indiana. Highlights for the participants included the machinery overview and the ability to walk out into the fields and examine the crops in smaller group settings. With a special thanks to your support and support from USDA-SARE, we will host these trainings again next year.
Participants use the Pocket Field Guide in the field at SEPAC to better examine soybeans. (Scott Gabbard photo)
Participants walk in a corn field to evaluate growth and development at the NEPAC Ag 101 class.
For information about Purdue On-the-Farm
A last look before harvest
As the growing season winds down, county extension educators and state staff are out taking one last look at the fields before harvest.
They are counting kernels and pods to take a best guess of their fields’ final production. They are also looking for weed, insect and disease pressures that may affect harvest outcome. Soon, some of them will ride in cabs to see whether the on-farm trials provided direction to the ideas thought up last winter.
For many, this is a favorite time of year when we reap what we sow. If the author were to give any advice to everyone as we head into harvest this year, it would be this: go check your fields and have a conversation with your agronomist about the overall standability or lodging susceptibility of each field.
Consider adjusting your harvest schedule based on this input. In corn, this wet(ter) growing season has led to a whole host of diseases with the potential to weaken stalks. In bean fields (and maybe corn), burcucumber and other ground vines have gone wild when left unchecked.
Also in bean fields, this is the time when soil borne diseases become apparent. What is it? Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS)? Brown Stem Rot (BSR)? Red Crown Rot (RCR)? While there is no RCR fix yet, your seed selection this winter should be influenced by SDS and BSR prevalence.
While only one-eighth of the fields sampled this year were positive for SCN, onethird of the fields sampled the
previous year did test positive. Fields that will most likely be planted back to beans in 2026.
Soon, we will see the Saturday night lights on football and farm fields throughout the state. It is hard, rough, painful and exciting – sometime all at the same time. May your teams both in the cabs and locker rooms experience more wins than losses this year.
Participants calculate population stand counts at the NEPAC Ag 101 class.
This see-n-spray robot was on display at the Farm Progress Show.
Participants walk through corn and soybean fields to assess plant populations during the SEPAC Ag 101 class.
An analyst counts kernels and checks for black layers in a Morgan County field. (Michele Jones photo)
Southern rust is found in a northern Indiana corn field.
Burcucumber is found in a southern Indiana soybean field.
Rulon farm embraces conservation to improve soil health, bottom line
BY AMIE SIMPSON
For more than 30 years, a fifth-generation farm family in Arcadia, Ind., has been embracing conservation practices, benefiting not just their land and bottom line, but also their community.
Rulon Enterprises consists of Rodney Rulon and his cousins, Ken and Roy, and Roy’s sons, Nick and Neal. The family has seen improved soil health on the farm and water quality in neighboring streams through no-till, cover crops, nutrient management and variable rate technology.
“We’ve seen on-farm success by improving overall soil health, keeping those nutrients where we want them, and improving water quality,” Rodney said. “We’re seeing environmental and economic benefits. For example, cover crops as part of a system have improved crop production and yield.”
Getting started
Rodney grew up working with his family on the farm and returned full-time after graduating from Purdue University. He noted that his family has always been open to trying out conservation practices. They began no-tilling corn and soybeans in 1989 and planting cover crops in 2001. Today, they plant cover crops on 95 percent of their acres.
attended The National No-Till Conference in the early 2000s and spoke to some of the experienced farmers about what they were doing to improve soil microbiology,” Rodney said. “That’s really where we got the idea to start planting cover crops.”
As with any new practice, progress takes time and can often feel like trial and error. Rodney said it was a learning process that took about five years to find the right mix for their soil, planting dates and goals.
“It helped that we had resources. In addition to the National No-Till Conference, we attended soil and water conservation district meetings, followed Purdue University research findings from Eileen Kladivko and others, and worked with soil consultant groups,” he said. “Face-to-face meetings with farmers were the most helpful. My cousin, Ken, developed a peer network for our farm where farmers could come together a few times a year to share both successes and problems among peers.”
Utilizing research to make decisions
“I was starting college when we began transitioning to no-till. My uncle and cousin were tired of seeing the soil wash away in nearby streams after rainfall,” Rodney said. “They wanted to increase soil organic matter and keep that soil in place while reducing labor and equipment costs and maximizing profitability.”
After several years of no-tilling and establishing buffer strips along streams and drainage ditches, the Rulons saw improvements. They began building on that success by completing one-acre grid fertility testing and variable rate applications to further improve soil health and crop yields.
“It felt like we were a little stagnant at that point. I then
Managing these practices as a system and adapting to changes continue to be a priority. Rodney manages the farm’s soil sampling and fertility, conservation programs and more.
“Today, we’re managing our nutrients with our system in mind and selecting hybrids specifically for no-till and this environment,” he said. “We are no tilling and planting cover crops on nearly all our acres and have less waterways and other ‘conservation band-aids’ on our farms because of these different practices.”
The Rulons have been conducting on-farm research for years.
“In the last 15 years we’ve worked with Purdue on sideby-side tests comparing different cover crops vs. no cover
Find out about Farm Advisors
Rodney Rulon stands on his family farm in Arcadia, Ind., where five generations have embraced conservation practices.
crops,” Rodney explained. “We put out several test plots where we track for our own management of inputs. Because of my background, I manage most of these tests. When we figure out what does and doesn’t work, we have the data to back it up.”
He added that the on-farm research gives them confidence in making decisions that are right for their farm.
“Every time we do a strip test or side-by-side field test, success comes down to a return on investment, not just yield,” he said. “We trace everything back to what did the practice cost us per acre to implement.”
Fulfilling a need
Rodney is one of the farmer leaders of a new conservation program called Farm Advisors, which connects interested farmers with someone who’s successfully implemented conservation practices on their operation.
“A group of Indiana farmers got together and wanted to pay it forward by sharing what they’ve learned over the years,” he said. “Farm Advisors was created as a way to fill some gaps in conservation adoption by having farmer mentors share some of the things that have worked, what hasn’t, and provide an opportunity to bounce ideas off one another.”
The goal is to improve conservation on the ground and provide resources to prevent farmers from abandoning a practice because of a negative experience.
Interested farmers can sign up to start these conversations by visiting www.farmadvisors.ag.
“Once you sign up, you’ll receive a call from a Farm Advisors representative to find out more information about your farm, goals, and what issues you’re trying to address,” Rodney said. “We’ll then match you with someone who can talk to your farm and soil types.”
Rodney said he’s excited to see how the program grows and the positive ripple effects that it will have throughout Indiana agriculture and the community.
“Farming is a way of life. I have a deep appreciation for our farming family, the environmental benefits and legacy that come from working to leave the ground we farm better than we found it for our kids and future generations,” he said. “We’ve been an active part of this community for five generations and have worked hard to improve water quality and soil health. We’re located just north of Indianapolis, near the Morse Reservoir, so doing this for not only my farm, but the wider community is important to us.”
Cover crops are planted on 95 percent of their acres. Cover crops as part of a system have improved crop production and yield.
Rodney is one of the farmer leaders of a new conservation program called Farm Advisors, which connects interested farmers with someone who’s successfully implemented conservation practices on their operation.
Tassel wrapping a phenomenon affecting Indiana fields this year
BY DAN QUINN, Purdue Extension Corn Specialist
One of the more unusual issues that showed up in Indiana corn fields this summer is “tassel wrapping,” a phenomenon where the uppermost leaves, including the flag leaf, remain tightly wrapped around the developing tassel (Figure 1). As a result, the tassel emerges late and delays pollen shed, potentially disrupting the critical timing between pollen availability and silk receptivity.
Reports of tassel wrapping have come in from across Indiana, including northern, central and southern parts of the state, and similar cases have been noted in at least nine other Midwestern states, including Iowa, Illinois and Kansas. While it’s generating plenty of discussion among farmers and agronomists, tassel wrapping seems to be a rare occurrence and is not yet fully understood.
Tassel wrapping vs. twisted whorls
The issue of “twisted whorls” or tightly wrapped leaves in corn is not a new phenomenon as similar symptomology is often observed in early vegetative growth stages (e.g., V5 to V6) and is often referred to as “rapid growth syndrome.” This is a common issue that is observed in young corn plants as they begin the rapid vegetative growth phase. It is often associated with quick shifts between weeks of slow development (cool, cloudy weather) to weeks of fast development (warm, sunny weather) accompanied with good growing and ample soil moisture.
While twisted or tightly wrapped leaves can be a common sight in early vegetative growth, tassel wrapping is unique in that it is occurring later in development or right around pollination. Like rapid growth syndrome, tassel wrapping appears to be triggered by fluctuations in temperature and moisture.
In West Lafayette, for example, fields showing severe tassel wrap in early and mid-July had recently experienced large swings between hot daytime and cool nighttime temperatures, along with high humidity and rainfall events. Similar patterns have been observed in other states.
Tassel wrapping in Iowa was typically seen in hybrids growing in warm, moist conditions with non-limiting nutrients, conditions that tend to accelerate vegetative growth and exacerbate leaf constriction.
Ohio State agronomists suggested that a “tight flag leaf” might be a result of unusually fast growth rates ahead of tassel emergence. Overall, the most common observations and calls I have had with this issue has been specific to corn planted either in late April or early to mid-May which correspond with corn plants reaching pollination stage as these temperature fluctuations occurred.
It’s not just the weather
Hybrid-specific differences have also emerged as a key factor. In multiple side-by-side field comparisons, one hybrid showed significant tassel wrapping while an adjacent hybrid (planted on the same day) did not. These responses not only vary across brands, but across specific hybrid numbers within brands.
Planting date may also play a role as most tassel wrapping reports have come from corn planted in late April through mid-May, with symptoms showing up as those fields entered pollination. Another observation that both myself and some of my colleagues have made is that tassel size, specifically the size of the primary vertical branch of the hybrid may be contributing to the severity of the tassel wrapping (Figure 2).
Hybrids with large, wide central tassel branches may struggle more to break through tightly wrapped upper
Figure 1: This shows the presence of tassel wrapping in corn on July 10 (a) and July 23 (b) at the Agronomy Center for Research and Education in West Lafayette, Ind.
For more on Purdue corn research
Figure 2: This shows tassel size and morphology differences between a hybrid without observed tassel wrapping (a) and a hybrid with significant tassel wrapping (b). The tassel on the right (b) exhibited a larger (wider and longer) main, vertical tassel branch in comparison to the tassel on the left (a).
leaves, increasing the likelihood of wrapping occurrence and pollen shed delays.
What are yield implications?
One of the key questions surrounding tassel wrapping is its potential impact on pollination and yield. The primary concern is poor pollination, specifically, ovules on the ear failing to fertilize, resulting in missing kernels. The challenge is that the severity of pollination issues appears to vary widely, even within the same location.
I’ve observed fields with significant tassel wrapping with no apparent pollination issues alongside others showing ears with up to 25 percent unfertilized ovules. For that reason, it’s essential to begin scouting now, especially in fields where tassel wrapping was observed. Gently pull back husks and examine ears for pollination success. Look for missing kernels or areas where silks remain attached; silks that detach easily from the cob typically indicate successful fertilization (Figure 3).
The core problem with wrapped tassels is the disruption of timing between silk emergence and pollen shed. Under dry soil conditions, we often see delayed silk emergence, which can result in poor pollination at the tip of the ear – since the last silks to emerge correspond to the tip. In contrast, tassel wrapping can cause the opposite problem as silks emerge on time or early, but pollen shed is delayed, leading to poor pollination at the base of the ear – first silks to emerge align with the base.
Another issue is that delayed pollen shed can also result in excessively long silks (Figure 3), which continue to grow for 9-10 days unless pollinated. These long silks can crowd or “shade” one another, further inhibiting successful pollination.
Another factor complicating the issue is that modern hybrids tend to silk earlier than they used to, an intentional breeding improvement aimed at enhancing stress tolerance. While early silking can be beneficial in stressful environments, it may pose a problem under
Figure 3: This shows a corn ear with poor pollination (nondetached silks) at the base of the corn ear – first silks to emerge from the husk – (a) and the presence of excessively long silks (b) which can be an indication of early silk emergence and delayed pollen drop.
optimal growing conditions, and especially when tassel emergence is delayed due to wrapping.
In some cases, hybrids are silking too early due to the strong environmental conditions, and the lack of timely pollen shed due to wrapped tassels only exacerbates the issue. Ultimately, successful pollination in corn comes down to timing. Corn only pollinates over a short window, typically 10-14 days.
Silks remain receptive to pollen up to 10 days, but the receptivity declines over this period and peak receptivity is often at 4-5 days after silk emergence. Therefore, any disruption in the synchrony between pollen shed and silk emergence, such as that caused by tassel wrapping, increases the risk of poor pollination and potential yield loss. Here are a few tips to help:
• Scout fields now – especially those planted in late April to mid-May or where you expected tassel wrap issues occurred.
• Check for pollination success – carefully pull husks back and look for missing kernels, predominately at the base of the ear.
• Document hybrid, planting date and field conditions – These details may help pinpoint contributing factors.
• Report observations – Share what you’re seeing with your local Extension office or directly with me. The more data we collect, the better we can understand this emerging issue.
Tassel wrapping in corn is an unusual and poorly documented phenomenon, but early signs point to it being triggered by environmental conditions, temperature fluctuations, hybrid differences and plant developmental timing. While not every field is showing yield loss, the risk may be significant in areas with severe tassel wrap and poor pollination synchrony.
As the season progresses and harvest approaches, we’ll continue to collect field data and update recommendations. If you’re experiencing tassel wrapping or suspect pollination problems, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Invite someone to ride shotgun in the combine to exchange ideas
BY SHAUN N. CASTEEL, Purdue Extension Soybean Specialist
It is no surprise that my favorite time of the year is fall.
I am sure that it is one of your favorite times, if not your favorite, as well. It is hard to beat a cup of coffee at the beginning of the cool, crisp mornings followed by time harvesting the crops you’ve raised all season.
Grandma would bring lunch and supper for our tailgate breaks. As the harvest was finishing, we would enjoy a wiener roast or two with the fixings and roasted marshmallows for a treat. The times around the tailgate, the fire or riding shotgun in the combine are some of my best memories. We would talk about how the crop was looking or the grain moisture of the last load.
Sometimes, we didn’t talk at all but just soaked in the rays of the sun or the heat from the fire. The lessons were clearly taught even if words were not spoken.
I am fortunate to spend time riding shotgun with farmers who are working with us to fine-tune soybean management recommendations. We have great conversations regarding the study, the season and the future. I will share how the study compares to others this season and how it compares to the past.
The relationship is a wonderful one of give-andtake as the questions and comments volley back and forth. We explain some of the differences that are seen in the treatments to the variation in the field due to the season. We even ask questions without knowing the answer.
My message this month is simple – who is riding shotgun? I strongly encourage
you to share in the time with the people in your farming operation – family, friends, landlords, tenants, agronomists, etc. In today’s age of run, run, run and go, go, go; we miss out on opportunities to develop relationships and to learn from each other.
The doors of communication open more freely if there is an invitation. You will be amazed at the bonds that are forged to the mutual lessons learned.
Perhaps, you have farmed a field for more than 10 years and you know the field needs tiled, but the landlord doesn’t see the value.
The invitation to ride shotgun in the combine or in the planting tractor next spring might be the lesson needed. The other points of conversation will be mutually beneficial.
Dare I say, we invite a neighbor to ride shotgun to learn from each other’s experiences? Make a comparison of two varieties in a split-planter trial, the color of the combine and its ability to uniformly spread corn residue, or an evaluation of new product.
People within some farms always run the same equipment or operations, so it would be an opportunity for someone else to observe, to ask questions, and to learn. Perhaps, your person planting soybeans is not the same as your person harvesting those fields.
An hour to an afternoon could be the answer to longstanding problems –such as seed depth control behind the tractor and planter tires or planter alignment (or misalignment) with old corn rows.
A fresh perspective may be just the ticket needed to improve your farm – agronomically, environmentally, economically or simply personally. Ask yourself, who is riding shotgun?
Read more from Shaun Casteel
No-cost soil sampling program is available for Hoosier farmers
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and partners throughout the state have worked with the Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP) to develop a no-cost program with a focus on increasing the knowledge and use of soil sampling as a nutrient management practice to benefit farm operations.
The program, titled Indiana’s Mississippi River Basin Soil Sampling Program, is open now for applicants.
“This program is helpful and valuable for our Hoosier farmers,” said Lt. Gov. Beckwith, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture. “By offering no-cost access to soil sampling, this initiative supports farmers with the tools and knowledge to make smarter nutrient management decisions. I encourage our farmers to apply.”
“A no-cost program for farmers to utilize for soil testing is a great tool in this farm economy,” said ISDA Director Don Lamb.
“Healthy soils are vital for crop health, animal health and conservation. I am very proud of our department for managing this crucial on farm program and we encourage both row crop farmers and pasture owners to apply.”
A no-cost soil sampling program supported, in part, by the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council is available through the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Send an email to soilsampling@isda.in.gov for additional information.
ISDA promotes the importance of nutrient management and the principles of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework. The 4R framework incorporates using the “Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place” to achieve cropping system goals. This program focuses on soil sampling and testing as it is a key component, and first step, of developing a plan for nutrient management.
Soil sampling provides an assessment of the soil’s fertility which can be used for making fertilizer application recommendations, assessing available nutrients over time, increase farmer profitability and enhance environmental protection by reducing the risk of nutrient loss. This project was developed to help further Indiana’s State Nutrient Reduction Strategy efforts.
This program includes row crop fields, pastures, hay and specialty crops located within Indiana’s portion of the Mississippi River Basin. Eligible landowners will be prioritized by acreage enrolled (i.e., 100 acres or less), fields that have never been soil sampled and fields that haven’t been sampled regularly (i.e., within the last four years).
Further prioritization may be implemented based on ISDA’s workload capacity. This program excludes hobby gardens and private lawns.
Interested landowners can sign-up online at ISDA’s website or by reaching out to Nutrient Stewardship Program Manager, Ophelia Norman at soilsampling@ isda.in.gov.
Sign-ups started in early September, and ISDA will accept registrations until Friday, Oct. 17 or until funds are exhausted.
This program was made possible through ISDA, the Indiana Soybean Alliance, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance (IANA), the Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP) members, farmers and crop advisors.
Farm Advisors want to share experience with growers curious about conservation
Long-term investments often require patience and attention, but they usually offer the greatest return. This is why many Indiana corn and soybean farmers have taken extra steps to adopt conservation practices that improve the soil health on their farms.
These farmers have learned that every field on their farm is different, and that there’s no single solution to improving soil health, reducing erosion or lowering input costs. To help those who are interested in these goals, the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council are working with a group of farmer leaders who have learned the hard way - through experience.
Farmer leaders across Indiana recognized the need for Farm Advisors, a program designed to share real-world experience with conservation practices. Farm Advisors are available to talk one-on-one with farmers interested in trying notill, cover crops and other proven soil health techniques.
“Over the years I’ve seen how conservation practices like cover crops, no-till, and nutrient and weed management
can improve soil health, reduce erosion, boost yields and lower input costs,” said ISA Board Director Roger Wenning, a farmer from Greensburg, Ind. “I started using these practices out of necessity in the 1980s. My topsoil was washing off my rolling hills at the time, and I needed to find a way to cut costs and save my soil. I learned a lot by trial and error.”
He hopes other farmers can benefit from that experience. “I want to help others avoid some common mistakes when trying new conservation methods,” Wenning said. “I’m one of the founding members of Farm Advisors, a farmer-led, peer-to-peer program.
The farmers involved are willing and able to answer questions, and share lessons learned.”
The program seeks to create a bond where farmers can share ideas and ask questions. Farm Advisors will work to connect farmers with similar goals, and they can connect by phone or by text or in person – whatever is most comfortable. Farm Advisors will also host two meetings a year to share ideas, attend workshops and distribute new information.
Tom Murphy is a director on the Indiana Corn Growers Association board and a farmer from Chesterton, Ind. He grows corn and soybeans on sandy soils near Lake Michigan. Murphy is a believer in the Farm Advisors program.
“My goal is to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come by using innovative conservation practices and technology,” Murphy explained. “My advice for farmers interested in planting cover crops, switching to no-till or implementing other conservation practices is to take advantage of available resources like Farm Advisors.”
Farm Advisors is free to all Indiana farmers who want to participate. To find out more or sign up to participate, go online to farmadvisors.ag
Roger Wenning
Chesterton, Ind., farmer Tom Murphy is a believer in the Farm Advisors program. He grows corn and soybeans on sandy soils near Lake Michigan.
Potential Public Health Risks of Avoiding Seed Oils
Scientific evidence supports the role of seed oils in reducing chronic disease risk, improving cardiovascular health, and providing essential fatty acids and nutrients. Avoiding seed oils could lead to negative public health implications.
Deficient in Fatty Acids Needed for Bodily Function
Seed oils are a primary source of the polyunsaturated fatty acids linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), both essential for human health. Humans need to consume fat (along with carbohydrates and protein) daily to support bodily function. Seed oil helps us consume the fatty acids what we need.1
Increased Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk
Scientific evidence supports the replacement of saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which lower LDL cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk.2 The U.S. FDA recognizes canola, corn, soybean, and olive oils3 for their heart-protective benefits. Studies show that consuming linoleic acid can decrease risk of coronary heart disease by 29%.4
Higher Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Research suggests that linoleic acid improves insulin sensitivity and reduces insulin resistance, lowers risk of type 2 diabetes.5-11 Studies suggest as linoleic acid intake increases, the risk of developing diabetes decreases.12
Loss of Essential Nutrients
Seed oils provide vital vitamin E, an antioxidant crucial for immune function, vision, brain health, and skin protection. 13 Avoiding seed oils may lead to deficiencies in this essential nutrient.
Eliminating seed oils could result in higher cholesterol levels, increased CVD and diabetes risk, and essential fatty acid and vitamin E deficiencies. Maintaining a balanced intake of healthy fats, including polyunsaturated fats, is crucial for long-term health. For a deeper dive
The Soy Checkoff, in partnership with Soy Nutrition Institute, utilizes these fact sheets for outreach with consumers and health professionals. A seed oil economic impact study conducted by the Soy Checkoff and American Soybean Association found a seed oil ban would decrease demand for soy, lower farm income, increase food costs, and potentially limit consumer choice.
Success stories highlight improved water quality across Indiana, U.S.
BY KYRA MEISTER
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) are developing success stories to highlight how restoration efforts have improved water quality across the state and nation.
These stories show how nonpoint source (NPS) pollution restoration efforts improve water quality or fully restore polluted areas. NPS pollution is any pollution that does not emerge from a single point of origin, such as agricultural nutrient and fertilizer runoff. All stories available through their interactive map include scenarios that can be counted under this measure.
The map is online at bit.ly/ waterprojectmap
Conservation techniques can make a measurable impact on “high-risk waters,” according to IDEM and EPA. Indiana is a leading state in water restoration projects, which aligns with a strategic focus on sustainability through environmental and community outreach by IDEM and EPA.
These success stories depict areas that have been considered “impaired” or “threatened” following criteria applied from the Clean Water Act.
Watershed Planning and Restoration Section at IDEM.
Little Deer Creek
IDEM said restoration efforts near Little Deer Creek brought new life to this once-impaired waterway. Little Deer Creek is an 11.94-mile-long tributary of Deer Creek in Carroll and Howard counties. This tributary has suffered from pollution due to runoff, livestock access and erosion for many years.
In 2016 and 2018, IDEM listed the creek as impaired under the Clean Water Act because of its high e. coli levels and poor aquatic life. Fortunately, Little Deer Creek is making a comeback as the restoration efforts of local farmers, state and federal partners, and conservation agencies are delivering results.
The stories fit into one of five buckets that track progress in a standardized way and show how different restoration stages contribute to long-term environmental health:
• Waters that are partially to fully restored.
• Waters that show progress toward achieving water quality goals.
• Waters that show ecological restoration.
• Healthy waters protected from water quality impairment.
• NPS program accomplishments and interim measures of success.
These stories show that conservation and restoration efforts also need the freedom to operate efficiently while finding a balance in environmental responsibility.
“The majority of these success stories are heavily tied into agricultural watersheds and improvements based on installing best management conservation practices for those land uses,” explained Caleb Rennaker, Chief of
The project started in 2010, when the Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District rallied support for a watershed management plan. Funding from the U.S. EPA’s Section 319 NPS Program allowed the Deer Creek-Sugar Creek Watershed Management Plan to get approved in 2014.
Implementation started soon; and in the next several years, thousands of acres transitioned to more sustainable practices. Some of these changes include:
• 3,995 acres of cover crops
• 200 acres of nutrient management with manure
• 250 acres of no-till and mulch-till field management
• Stream protection measures including grassed waterways, waste facility closure, stream crossings and equipment modifications
In 2019, IDEM reported that the macroinvertebrate Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score had climbed from a failing score of 32 to a healthy score of 40, meaning that the stream could once again support diverse aquatic life. The problem of bank erosion also improved.
In 2022, IDEM proposed to remove Little Deer Creek from its impaired waters list as they had seen substantial progress with its health.
Kokomo, Ind., farmer Calvin Hartman said he added grass strips and three new structures to control water flow on his farm.
Working together
A collaboration of several key players – including Carroll County SWCD, the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation, Purdue University, NRCS and IDEM – helped improve the health of this tributary.
“People pushed this project forward – No. 1,” said Rhonda Hicks, Carroll County SWCD Administrative Assistant. “We have a wonderful watershed coordinator, Sara Peel. She keeps things flowing.”
Combined, these groups channeled more than $890,000 in federal and local funds to restore the watershed. “Our traditional public meetings were well attended – but the cost share is hugely popular. We can usually spend more than what we have,” Hicks said.
She explained that the next step for their area is to bring on more funding. “We had an MRBI to enhance cost share, but we are so short-staffed that multiple grants are a little overwhelming,” Hicks added.
She said their restoration measures are worthwhile, they just need the funds and the manpower to continue with their efforts.
Farmers seeing benefits
Farmers on the ground are seeing the benefits. Calvin Hartman, a Kokomo, Ind., farmer, has embraced the program with enthusiasm. “We added grass strips and three new structures to control water flow,” he said. “The rain carries off a lot of nutrient-rich topsoil, so soil conservation is huge for us.”
Hartman emphasized the 319 Grant Program is approachable. “The paperwork process is simple, and the program gives farmers a lot of freedom to try out changes that work for their operations,” he said.
Jason Oyler, a farmer in Flora, Ind., the process farmerfriendly and flexible. “This is a great opportunity, especially for first timers who are open to learning and planning ahead,” he shared. “The program really fits our needs and works with how we already farm. It’s nice to see companies
and agencies giving back to support conservation.”
A message Oyler wants to share with fellow farmers is, “Don’t be intimidated. Just give it a try. It’s about the freedom to farm while bringing in accountability as stewards of the land.”
IDEM said Little Deer Creek is a blueprint for other projects. With smart planning, community trust and longterm investment, streams impaired by NPS pollution can thrive again. In Indiana that means healthier rivers, more resilient farms and cleaner waters downstream.
Little Deer Creek is located in north central Indiana. This map is courtesy of IDEM.
This equipment was purchased using the 319 Grant for Calvin Hartman’s farm.
Flora, Ind., farmers Tate Oyler, left, and Jason Oyler, right, said the 319 Grant program is farmer friendly and flexible.
Indiana distillery earns a top award at Heartland Whiskey Competition
The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) announced the recipients of the Farmer-Distiller program of the 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition on August 19.
Starlight Distillery in Borden, Ind., claimed the prestigious Top Farmer-Distiller award – the competition’s most challenging honor, determined by the highest average score across three judged spirits from a single qualifying distillery. To qualify as a farmer-distiller, participants must both own a distillery and operate a working farm.
“This was an impressive showing from corn farmers who own distilleries, showcasing their ability to produce top-tier products and develop high-quality grain for distilling – grain that benefits craft distillers across the board,” said Paul Hodgen, a farmer from Roachdale, Ind., and an Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) director. “ICMC, together with other state checkoff organizations, is proud to sponsor this competition to raise awareness of the many uses of corn.”
The Farmer-Distiller: Best Bourbon resulted in a numerical tie, with two distilleries sharing the honor. Queens Reserve, a product of Wood Hat Spirits in Florence, Mo., tied Bloody Butcher Bourbon, which is produced by Pathfinder Farm Distillery in Boonsboro, Md. Both distilleries received awards.
“With corn state support we’re able to promote the craft spirits industry and the important role that agriculture has in producing excellent spirits. The communication and information sharing on farming practices specifically for distilling is of great value to our members.”
West Fork Whiskey Co. of Westfield, Ind., earned two awards in the categories of Best Bourbon with its Hugh Hamer Rum Finished, and Bottled in Bond with its West Fork Whiskey Wheated.
Incorporating corn in their mash bill
The 2025 competition marked the fifth biennial Heartland Whiskey Competition, open to craft whiskeys incorporating corn in their mash bill. This blind-judging competition is generously sponsored by state corn marketing associations, and ACSA facilitates the judging process.
The 2025 contest marked the fifth biennial Heartland Whiskey Competition, open to craft whiskeys incorporating corn in their mash bill.
Farmer-Distiller: Beyond Bourbon goes to Tobacco Barn Distillery in Hollywood, Md., for its Maryland Bourbon Cream. Tobacco Barn previously earned Top FarmerDistiller in 2023.
Numerous corn farmers throughout the U.S. own and operate craft distilleries and submitted approximately 40 percent of this year’s entries, demonstrating the strong connection between agriculture and craft spirits production.
“We are very pleased by the enthusiasm that farmerdistillers have shown for this competition along with other craft distillers,” stated Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO of ACSA.
Former ACSA Board President Chris Montana, owner of Du Nord Social Spirits in Minnesota, served as Judging Director for the fifth time. Judges are selected from the spirits industry by ACSA and chosen for their knowledge of craft whiskey.
Judging was July 15 at the West Fork Whiskey Co. at their Hamilton County headquarters.
In addition to ICMC, the following state corn marketing associations collectively sponsor the 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition and state-level competitions in 21 states representing more than 75 percent of all U.S. craft distillers: Colorado Corn Promotion Council, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association, Ohio Corn Marketing Program, Pennsylvania Corn Growers Association, Tennessee Corn Promotion Board, Texas Corn Producers
and Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board and Corn Growers Association.
“It is important to recognize that craft distillers have sustained their businesses through trying times and continue to improve an already excellent product,” Hodgen explained. “Corn growers throughout the Heartland, through their participating state corn associations, support these entrepreneurs, many of whom are working farmers and all of whom are our customers.”
The 2025 competition saw significant growth in the number of participating states and expansion of the farmer-distiller awards which increased overall participation by farmer-distillers.
“Several factors contribute to what is today a more challenging period for craft distillers which are often small, family-run businesses. Our memberdistillers are grateful to the support of the state corn associations through five cycles of this important competition,” Lehrman said. “We greatly appreciate their continued support and the fact they supply our members with the best corn product in the world.”
Scoring and medal criteria
The scoring of whiskeys, with judges hand-selected from the North American spirits community, was based on a 100-point system with 10 main categories of consideration worth 10 points each. The categories include Appearance, Aroma Intensity, Aroma Complexity, Palate Concentration, Palate Complexity, Body, Alcohol, Texture, Finish, and Pour for a Peer.
Whiskeys were then assigned a medal based on the average score determined by the following benchmarks: 70-79 points were Bronze; 80-89 points were Silver; and 90-100 points were Gold.
Best Farmer-Distiller was awarded to the top average score across three spirits among all judged whiskeys submitted by Famer-Distillers. Farmer-Distiller: Best Bourbon and Farmer-Distillery Beyond Bourbon were awarded to the spirits that scored highest in the bourbon category and all other categories respectively.
The whiskeys were scored on a 100-point system that included 10 categories: Appearance, Aroma Intensity, Aroma Complexity, Palate Concentration, Palate Complexity, Body, Alcohol, Texture, Finish, and Pour for a Peer.
Two of the competition’s judges, from left, were Jeff “Whiskeyfellow” Schwartz, a whiskey consultant, Kentucky Colonel and certified bourbon steward; and Will Breeden, co-owner of Indiana Small Batch, a spirits distributor specializing in craft whiskeys from across the state.
ACSA is the only registered non-profit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry. Its mission is to elevate and advocate for craft spirits producers. Membership in ACSA is open to anyone. ACSA is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the eligible voting members. Voting members must be independently licensed distillers annually removing from bond fewer than 750,000 proof gallons – the amount on which a Federal Excise Tax is paid.
The 22 winners for the Heartland Whiskey Competition Best-in-State trophies will be announced by each participating state’s corn associations. Winners will also be listed online at americancraftspirits.org and heartlandwhiskeycompetition.com the along with all medalists from the competition.
Judging for the Heartland Whiskey Competition took place on July 15 at the West Fork Whiskey Company headquarters in Westfield, Ind.
Argos Connected Solutions becomes new member of B20 Club of Indiana
The B20 Club of Indiana welcomed Argos Connected Solutions as its newest Affiliate Member. The B20 Club of Indiana is a collaboration between the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), the state’s soybean checkoff program, and the American Lung Association, highlighting fleets and organizations that champion biodiesel blends of B20 or higher.
Argos, headquartered in Indianapolis, delivers fleet technologies that empower organizations to streamline operations, monitor vehicle performance in real time, and achieve greater environmental and economic efficiency through data-driven insights. These technologies include telematics systems, GPS tracking, dash cams, engine diagnostics and monitoring, as well as ELD solutions –all of which complement the use of biodiesel by further enhancing fuel efficiency, reducing carbon output and promoting smarter, cleaner fleet operations.
“Argos is a natural fit for the B20 Club of Indiana,” said Bobby Humphrey, Founder and CEO of Argos Connected Solutions. “Our solutions give real-time insights to fleet managers enabling them to be proactive in making decisions that promote fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and advance sustainability.”
Humphrey shared an example of this in action with a fellow B20 Club member.
“The City of Carmel Street Department came to us when they rolled out using B20 biodiesel,” he said.
“We then worked with the Geotab team to create dashboard reports that provided data showing the reduction in emissions.”
Bailey Arnold, Director of Healthy Air Solutions with the American Lung Association, which cofounded the B20 Club of Indiana with the Indiana Soybean Alliance checkoff
program, is excited to have Argos join the club. “Their support of biodiesel and smart fleet technologies showcases how innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand,” said Arnold.
Biodiesel offers a cleaner-burning, renewable fuel option that reduces carbon dioxide and particulate emissions. Its use strengthens Indiana’s agricultural economy — particularly for soybean farmers — and creates jobs, with biodiesel production supporting approximately 4,500 full-time equivalent positions in the state.
The B20 Club of Indiana now has eight fleet members, seven associate members and 12 affiliate members. These club members have consumed 16.14 million gallons of biodiesel since 2020. That’s an average of 3.23 million gallons of biodiesel per year.
To put those numbers into perspective, Arnold said B20 Club of Indiana members have reduced carbon emissions equivalent to removing 4,786 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles from the road or planting 339,293 trees.
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research.
The Association’s Office of Healthy Air Solutions is dedicated to providing clean air for all through its award-winning Clean Air Choice program, which focuses on promoting and implementing alternative fuels and clean vehicle technologies. Learn more at cleanairchoice.org For details about the B20 Club of Indiana or how to become a member, visit b20clubindiana.org
Soy tire donation program another way to support rural communities
BY DAVE BLOWER JR.
Seeds only grow where they’re planted. Indiana soybean farmers take great care each spring to make sure the seed that is planted yields a bountiful harvest in the fall. That spirit of cultivation and investment is also true of the rural communities where Hoosier farmers live.
The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), the state’s soybean checkoff program, initiated a program last year to donate soybean-based tires to Hoosier charities. In this program, farmers would nominate a charity from their community to win one of four sets of soy-based tires manufactured by Goodyear. ISA created the program to support the rural communities where farmers live and to tout Goodyear’s investment in replacing petroleum with soybean oil in making several new lines of tires.
This year’s four winners of free Goodyear tires include:
• Spencer County Council on Aging – nominated by Derika Lynam-Spaetti of Richland, Ind.
• Gaston Volunteer Fire Department – nominated by Jenna Scott of Muncie, Ind.
• Greensburg Community Bread of Life – nominated by Mike Koehne of Greensburg, Ind.
• Clinton-Cass Volunteer Fire Department – nominated by Denise Scarborough of LaCrosse, Ind.
In 2024, she added, the Council transported 206 different riders 114,814 miles during 3,141 separate one-way trips. The Council spent $17,228 in gas, and budgets $4,500 on vehicle maintenance – and that’s to cover oil changes, repairs and tires.
“These tires have been a great gift because that money can now be focused on transporting other clients who might not have any other way to get to their medical appointments,” Turner said. “We thank the soybean farmers for this gift. It is very much appreciated.”
ISA Board Director Mike Koehne, a farmer from Decatur County, Ind., poses with Jesse Steffen of the Greensburg Community Bread for Life. Koehne nominated Bread of Life for free set of soy-based Goodyear tires, and the charity was one of four winners across Indiana.
“There are more than 20,000 soybean growers across our state. As one of those growers, I’m very happy to see new markets developed,” said Lynam-Spaetti, who is also a director on the ISA board. “This is another example of how checkoff work benefits soybean farmers.”
Angela Turner, executive director of the Spencer County Council on Aging, said these tires will have an impact on the lives of many who live in the rural, southern Indiana community. Despite the organization’s name, Turner explained, “No matter if you’re a senior citizen or if you’re one-day-old, if you need medical transportation, we will get you there.”
Lynam-Spaetti is the president of the Spencer County Community Foundation, and through that work she became aware of the Council’s need. “The Community Foundation receives many grant and sponsorship requests from nonprofits,” she said. “I worked with our foundation staff to help identify any non-profit organizations that could possibly benefit. The application and information on the soy tire program was then sent to those organizations and encouraged to apply.”
Koehne nominated the Greensburg Community Bread of Life, which fights food insecurity, meets clothing needs and provides educational opportunities. Bread of Life prepares hot meals three times per week for delivery, dine-in or carry-out for Decatur County residents in need.
“Greensburg Bread of Life is a great community outreach non-profit organization,” Koehne said. “There -are a lot of people who volunteer to provide meals for shut-ins and also serve meals at their facility. It was easy to nominate them for the Goodyear soy tires. It is important to keep these volunteers safe as they travel around delivering meals or collecting food to prepare meals. These tires are durable, pliable to grip the road better and support farmers by using soybean oil. It is always good to give back to deserving organization in your community.”
Using social media, Punk Rock Farmer shares pro-ag message with audience
BY JONATHAN LAWLER, Punk Rock Farmer
The Back in 2016, I sat on an old 560 International tractor talking to a reporter, not realizing that interview would change the course of my life. I had just started Brandywine Creek Farms, transforming my wholesale vegetable farm into a platform to address food insecurity, promote agricultural advocacy and provide education. What I didn’t know at the time was that the reporter was putting me on the cover of the Indianapolis Star. The next morning, my phone blew up with calls from friends and family telling me my story had hit the front page.
Stories of grit, resilience, legacy and love for the land. Those stories rarely made it beyond their fields. In 2021, I decided it was time to start telling those stories, especially those of Indiana farmers (and, of course, my father-in-law, a proud generational farmer from Ohio). Alongside my wife and a handful of creative partners, we launched Punk Farmer Media.
Since then, my journey has taken me across the country and around the world. I’ve had the honor of sharing my work on food insecurity and agriculture with audiences from New York to California, England to Australia, and throughout South America. Along the way, I’ve worked with some of the best film and media production teams in the country, and my story has even been featured by one of my personal heroes – Mike Rowe.
As my advocacy grew, I realized something: the farmers I was meeting had incredible stories of their own.
As a filmmaker, I’ve traveled to Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and beyond. What I’ve discovered is that the story of the Hoosier farmer is the story of the American farmer. Their shared theme is resilience, and their spirit is one of relentless grit. But in my advocacy, I continued to notice the gap between the American public and their understanding of where their food, fuel and fiber come from is growing wider by the day.
Misinformation, buzzwords and click-driven narratives online and on social media have distorted the reality of modern agriculture. As someone with a strong social media presence and deep roots in ag, I’ve taken this as both a responsibility and an opportunity to educate the
“My journey has taken me across the country and around the world. I’ve had the honor of sharing my work on food insecurity and agriculture with audiences from New York to California, England to Australia, and throughout South America.”
Jonathan Lawler, the Punk Rock Farmer, works with Mike Rowe on a broadcast promoting Indiana agriculture.
public and amplify the voices of real farmers.
That’s why we created My Farm, My Story, the latest project by Punk Farmer Media dedicated to bridging that gap and giving farmers the platform to speak their truth.
Many who work with me outside of the ag space have noted my ability to reach beyond the traditional farm echo chambers and connect with people who have no background in farming. Whether through media, storytelling or advocacy, I’ve consistently brought non-ag people into the fold helping them understand, appreciate and even champion the realities of modern agriculture.
My Favorite memory in advocating happened here in my home state. I remember sitting in the waiting room of Q95’s radio station getting ready to go on a sports talk show. I thought, “Why am I here? These guys are kinda like shock jocks, and their audience probably doesn’t care about ag.”
I was so wrong. Those guys asked me everything. It was amazing. For a week after that we got social media messages from people saying they heard the interview and really appreciated the message.
I’ve often been told that my approach is more aggressive and “outside the box” than most who represent agriculture in social media and traditional media. I don’t mind. In today’s culture, we need bold, passionate voices who won’t back down. Care to join me? The future of food depends on it.
Jonathan Lawler poses on his John Deere tractor with his sons.
Inheritance and succession planning acutely impacts family relationships
BY JOHNNY KLEMME
When it comes to the family farm, inheritance and succession planning, the decisions you face aren’t purely financial — they profoundly impact your family relationships, personal well-being and the legacy you leave behind.
It’s normal to wonder, “How do we even begin navigating this?”
Across thousands of acres and countless farm families I’ve worked with, I’ve found that a clear, thoughtful approach is the best way to help families tackle critical questions in a way that reflects everyone’s goals, priorities and personal circumstances.
The process starts with truly listening and taking time to hear what the farm and land mean to each family member — without immediately jumping to conclusions or solutions. Next, it’s important to openly acknowledge these differing perspectives, realizing that the farm might represent financial security for some, deep emotional connection for others and identity for those who are actively farming.
From there, families can begin to name their priorities, clarifying which values — financial, emotional or otherwise — are most important, and why. With these individual and shared priorities identified, you can start exploring various scenarios and develop a series of next steps.
Options include keeping the farm, diversifying its use, restructuring ownership, leasing or selling. Each path should be evaluated for how it aligns with your family’s overall vision and their individual goals, ensuring practical outcomes for everyone involved.
However, even with the best intentions, navigating these conversations can be challenging.
Disagreements may arise, stemming from deeply held beliefs or past family dynamics. It’s essential to approach these moments with empathy and patience, striving for mutual understanding rather than immediate agreement. Often, bringing in an experienced advisor or facilitator can help guide discussions constructively, allowing all voices to be heard and respected.
Additionally, remember that decisions about your farm don’t have to be all-or-nothing choices. Creative, hybrid solutions might offer ways to honor multiple family priorities simultaneously.
For example, you might lease a portion of the land to maintain steady income, allocate some acres to conservation efforts to preserve sentimental value, and sell or develop/diversify a part of the farm to fund other family goals, buy-outs or legacy projects. Exploring these flexible strategies can create win-win outcomes that align financial sustainability with emotional and agricultural values.
Successfully navigating farmland inheritance also often involves engaging with a range of experts, such as bankers, accountants and attorneys. These professionals bring specialized knowledge to help you understand tax implications, estate planning strategies, financial structuring and legal frameworks.
Aligning yourself with trusted advisors not only ensures informed decision-making but also brings confidence and clarity to complex choices.
Ultimately, by following this intentional process, you’ll be ready to build a strategic plan that genuinely honors your family’s collective priorities, setting a clear direction forward.
By taking these intentional steps, you’ll make thoughtful, confident decisions that reflect not only the land’s economic value, but its deeper role in your family’s story and legacy.
Remember: It’s never too early to start having these important conversations — and it’s beneficial to try to discuss the future of your family farm before inheritance becomes an immediate reality.
Johnny Klemme is a trusted farmland advisor and award-winning real estate professional who has helped farm families navigate the emotional and financial complexities of land and legacy decisions across thousands upon thousands of acres for more than a decade. In his new book, “American Family Farmland: A Landowner’s Guide to Inheriting the Farm,” he delivers a practical roadmap that offers an actionable framework and mindset to navigate the emotional, financial and relational weight of family farmland decisions.
Dean Marsh: A lifetime in animal health, a future with Purdue Veterinary Medicine
BY DEAN BRET D. MARSH, DVM, Dean of Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine
Growing up in rural Indiana, I learned early the value of agriculture, community and animal health. Those lessons guided me through veterinary school here at Purdue, through decades of service as Indiana’s State Veterinarian, and now back again to my alma mater, where I have the privilege of serving as Dean of the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside livestock producers, companion animal owners, equine enthusiasts, veterinarians and public officials — always with a focus on protecting animal health, safeguarding our food supply, and strengthening the bond between animals and people. This lifelong calling has prepared me well for this new chapter at Purdue, where I am honored to lead a college with such a rich history of excellence and a bright future ahead.
This summer has been filled with energy and momentum. We welcomed prospective students and alumni back to campus, celebrated 4-Hers by thanking them at the Indiana State Fair, and joined forces with colleagues across the Purdue campus to strengthen agriculture and veterinary medicine partnerships.
As we kicked off the 2025-26 academic year, we welcomed the Class of 2029 to campus. Continuing our ongoing commitment to serving Indiana, 55 of those 86 DVM students are Indiana residents. These future veterinarians bring diverse interests — from small animal and mixed animal practice to large animal, equine and even research — and embody the drive and dedication that define Purdue veterinary medicine. Their excitement is contagious, and it reminds us all why our work matters: preparing the next generation of veterinarians, researchers and leaders.
Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans. We will continue strengthening our teaching hospital and clinical training programs, ensuring our students have access to world-class facilities and hands-on learning. We will deepen our partnerships with Indiana agricultural leaders and veterinary professionals to address workforce needs across food animal, equine and companion animal medicine.
And we will enhance our alumni engagement efforts, keeping Purdue veterinary graduates connected and involved as mentors, advocates, and champions for the College.
I was especially inspired to meet many of our alumni, who are leading in communities across Indiana and beyond, and to witness firsthand the impact of their Purdue education. We partnered with the College of Agriculture on their new faculty tour and had several faculty and staff members attend the tour to southeastern Indiana. It was a great way to take “Purdue on the Road” and to collaborate with the private sector.
The future of Purdue Veterinary Medicine is bright. With the support of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners in Indiana agriculture, I am confident we will build on our proud legacy and expand our impact for years to come. It is truly a privilege to serve this College, and I look forward to walking alongside all of you as we shape what comes next for veterinary medicine in Indiana and beyond.
Dr. Bret Marsh, the Dean of the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine, said 55 of the incoming class of 86 veterinary medicine students are from the State of Indiana.
Indiana corn checkoff provides grain bin safety training to rural fire departments
BY DAVE BLOWER JR.
When a farmer is trapped in a grain bin, every second counts. That’s why the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) has stepped up again this summer, funding life-saving rescue equipment and training for six more rural fire departments across the state. Now in its fourth year, the program has helped 29 Indiana departments prepare for grain bin emergencies with specialized tools and hands-on training.
ICMC collaborates with insurance provider Nationwide and the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to provide the rescue tubes and training to rural fire departments. As of now, this program has trained 1,025 Hoosier firefighters.
This summer, ICMC and NECAS supplied training and equipment to volunteer firefighters in Gibson County (White River Hazleton VFD), Jefferson County (Kent Fire Department), Madison County (Edgewood VFD), Morgan County (Morgantown Rural Fire Department) and Shelby County (Fairland VFD).
ICMC President Tim Gauck, a farmer from Greensburg, Ind., said, “As the state’s corn checkoff, representing thousands of Indiana farmers, we believe it is a wise investment to provide equipment and training to rural fire departments so they can help rescue farmers from a grain bin entrapment. We know there are many potential dangers when working on a farm. A simple mistake can become a crisis in a hurry. Grain bin entrapments are among those dangers.”
According to a study published by Purdue University in May, there were 51 reported cases of serious injuries while working on U.S. farms in 2024 – 34 of those were grain entrapments. The 34 grain-related entrapments are a 25 percent increase from 2023. Indiana reported the most grain entrapment cases in 2024 with five. Other states with grain entrapments were Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. The number of farm fatalities dropped from 26 to 22 last year. Historically, 58 percent of farm accidents resulted in a death, but in 2024 that number fell to 43 percent. The Purdue researchers said better preparedness and quicker responses by rural emergency services could be the reason.
Many rural fire departments lack the budget for grain bin safety equipment and training. The six departments that received the equipment and training this year applied to ICMC for a grant.
“We’re incredibly honored to be chosen for this opportunity,” said Evan Hulett of the Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department. “Having this equipment and the skills to use it can make all the difference when seconds count in a grain bin emergency.”
Volunteer firefighters from the Kent Fire Department in Jefferson County, Ind., practice a grain bin rescue featuring new equipment provided by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the state’s corn checkoff program. ICMC has provided training for more than 1,000 Hoosier volunteer firefighters.
For details on how to apply for a grant to receive grain bin rescue equipment or training, visit incornandsoy.org/ grain-bin-safety/ or contact ICMC Marketing Manager Melanie Batalis at mbatalis@incorn.org.
Corn checkoff invests in sustainable chemical plant planned for Indiana
BY AMIE SIMPSON
Aproject planned for Lafayette, Ind., will consume approximately 42,000 bushels of corn per day. This is equivalent to 232 acres of production each day or more than 82,000 per year.
“We are always looking for ways to add value and drive new demand for Indiana corn, and this project would be a great win in that regard,” said Ben Forsythe, Indiana Corn Marketing Council Sustainability and Value Creation Innovation Director. “We’ve had the opportunity to meet with the Primient and Sustainia teams over the last year and we are excited to help them see the project through.”
Sustainea Bioglycols, an innovative company focused on manufacturing sustainable plantbased chemicals with a low-carbon footprint, has announced plans to invest $400 million in Lafayette, Ind.
The company will work closely with Primient, a local producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources.
Sustainea will ultimately convert corn-based dextrose precursors provided by Primient into Bio-MEG (monoethlene glycol), a chemical intermediate used in everyday products from bottles and food containers to footwear and more. The renewable feedstock will reduce the need for traditional fossil-based plastics. It integrates seamlessly into existing manufacturing and recycling processes without compromising performance or functionality.
“Investing in Lafayette allows us to do more than build this innovative technology, it means strengthening Indiana’s agricultural markets, creating new opportunities for local corn growers, and contributing to the state’s thriving agbioscience economy,” said Gustavo Sergi, CEO at Sustainea.
“Together with our partners, we are proud to position Indiana at the forefront of innovation in chemistry and also
excited to see Indiana and United States of America becoming the cradle of the global transition toward sustainable and competitive packaging, textiles and apparel.”
Primient added that the area’s strong agricultural base will help production.
“Partnering with Sustainea allows us to leverage locally grown corn to reduce reliance on fossilbased plastics, delivering real value to farmers, businesses and consumers alike,” said Travis Montoya, Lafayette Plant Manager for Primient. “Our team in Lafayette is uniquely positioned to support this investment with high-quality, lowcarbon dextrose and a strong agricultural base — helping increase demand for Indiana corn and support growth in the regional economy.”
Sustainea said it plans to create up to 190 new, highwage jobs in the coming years to support its growth. Production is slated to begin in 2028.
“Sustainea’s investment in Indiana creates opportunity for new innovation, partnership and rural economic growth,” said Megan DeVelvis, senior director of growth at AgriNovus Indiana. “We look forward to welcoming them to our agbioscience ecosystem, championing their story and watching their business thrive.”
Gustavo Sergi, CEO of Sustainea, said investing in Lafayette will strengthen Indiana’s agricultural markets, create new opportunities for local corn growers, and add to the state’s thriving agbioscience economy
Ben Forsythe
Gustavo Sergi
There is a relentless spirit that unites us all in agriculture - a conviction we can dream big and that together, we become unstoppable.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
