CountryMark, Like Farmers, Ready for Harvest
Whether harvest has already started or may yet be weeks down the road, Indiana growers who use Hoosier based CountryMark for their fuel will have a high quality, plentiful supply of fuel when needed. Jon Lantz, CountryMark Vice President of Marketing, says agriculture is the company’s core market and they are ready for the fall rush.
“A year ago at this time guys were already beginning and this year I think it’s going to be a bit long and drug out, but we’ve got good inventories in place,” he told HAT. “We’re starting to see some end users starting to fill storage beginning to prepare for harvest to begin, and we’ll be ready when the maturity levels reach their spot to be harvested.”
With plenty of volatility in the fuel market like just about every other market, there is help in managing that price risk through CountryMark branded dealers.
CountryMark is the farmer owned cooperative whose operations date back to the 1920s. They are an integrated petroleum refining and marketing company that is also now involved in the exploration and production of crude oil. One hundred percent of the crude oil they refine at Mt. Vernon in southern Indiana comes from the Illinois Basin.
Lantz tells more of the CountryMark story in the full HAT interview:
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Purdue Extension recently named the Women in Agriculture award winners for their achievements and leadership in agriculture. The 2011 recipients are Achievement Award winner Stacey Pedigo (L,) and Leadership Award winner Susan Brocksmith (R.)
The annual recognition ceremony for Hoosiers employing outstanding conservation best management practices was held last week, and fifty farmers were added to the list of River Friendly Farmers.
Just a few hundred feet from the always popular and packed dairy bar at the Indiana State Fair sits the newest cheese sculpture commissioned by Indiana dairy farmers. Over 1420 pounds of Indiana cheese was used to create the giant slice of birthday cake for the 80th birthday of the Indiana Dairy and Nutrition Council.
The 2011 Indiana State Fair will be memorable for 4-H exhibitors in the Supreme Showmanship contest and the annual Sale of Champions held Saturday night in the Pepsi Coliseum.
During the Sale of Champions HAT spoke with two 4-H’ers who are examples of young people with a variety of interests and experience. Andrea Shriner from Huntington County sold the Champion 4-H Meat Pen of Rabbits for $4,500.
James Champ of Cass County got $4,600 for the Grand Champion 4-H Meat Type Chickens. Chickens are just part of his 4-H resume which includes, “electricity. I’ve won champion every year and gone to state fair every year. I did fine arts this year. I painted a picture, and Junior Leaders.”
was really cool to go in there and I wasn’t expecting that at all. I really appreciate all the people from around home who gave for my lamb. I wasn’t expecting that at all and I really appreciate everything that people have done for me throughout my ten years of 4-H.”
The Champion 4-H Dairy Steer shown by Brittany Lotter of Adams County brought a record $20,800.
Fourteen year old Sam Smoot of Delaware County said this is the best year of his 5-year 4-H career. His Champion Chester Barrow sold for $4,600.
Timely rains have come to some parts of Indiana including Tipton County. Jack Spaulding, a farmer and seedsman with Seed Consultants, says the rain came just in time to save the corn crop, “We were on the brink of disaster.” He told HAT the corn had been showing signs of serious stress even in good soil. He said the crop is responding well to the needed moisture , “We had rain Sunday and Monday night, and things are looking a lot better now.” He noted that Tipton County soils can usually withstand moderate drought conditions; but, with only 7/10 of an inch of rain in July, the crops was looking very poor.
The rains cannot undo the yield loss that has occurred. He said corn yields in Central Indiana will be more than 10% lower, “We had about a 200 bpa potential, and I think we have lost at least 15%.” The crop is several weeks behind in development but the key, according to Spaulding, is for the rains to keep coming, “If we continue to get some moisture, we can fill the kernels we have.” He added the crop has been in a holding pattern for the past several weeks and, with an improvement in the weather, can resume progressing toward maturity. 
From humble beginnings, Beck’s Hybrids of Atlanta, IN has grown into the largest, independent, family-run seed company in the nation. President Sonny Beck says it has been an amazing 75 years, “We have had a tremendous number of people support us over the years.” He told HAT that their unique business philosophy has been the key to their success, “We help farmers make money.” 
Beck’s decided to commemorate their anniversary in a represent Beck’s and agriculture.” The motorcycles, unveiled before a group of 800 customers and employees on Thursday evening, sport a number of unique features. These include rims that are designed to represent an old seed planter plate, handle bar grips made to look like an ear of corn, and scoops at the front that resemble a corn combine head. One of the choppers will be auctioned off to raise funds for charity. The other chopper will be featured on the popular Orange County Choppers television program. Both bikes will be on display at Bechnology Days in Atlanta, August 25-27 and at the Farm Progress Show, August 30 through September 1.
The White County 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator, Brent Marley, told HAT Wednesday night there haven’t been any animals lost this week, and in addition to allowing early release of livestock, they’re also changing Thursday’s ultimate showmanship contest to a written test.
As of Wednesday night in Tippecanoe County one hog was lost to the heat. Stephanie Femrite, one of that county’s 4-H Extension Educators, said other than that there were no problems to report due to extra measures taken to keep the animals, exhibitors and their families safe.
A man who spent part of his years in the U.S. Navy as an aircraft carrier commanding officer and national security strategist was in Indiana the last two days meeting with Indiana legislators and Governor Mitch Daniels. Retired Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn currently serves as President of the American Council on Renewable Energy.
On the recent Indiana Farm Management Tour Hoosier growers received insights during a visit to the Carnahan and Sons farm just east of Vincennes where Dennis Carnahan (left)farms with his brother Ross (center) and son John (right.) They farm 4,000 acres in a 40 percent corn and 60 percent soybean operation.