The CAIF Board members: From
left to right: Steve Lott (Trustee), John Oakley (President),
Bruce Noel (Trustee), Tony Ig (Vice President) Don Oesterle (Treasurer), and Russ Oesterle (Secretary).
C.A.I.F. Roundup - President Oakley
Elections, the memberships
choose to retain the existing board by re-electing Bruce Noel and Tony Igl. The
by laws were changed so that if the group disbanded all remaining funds would go
to the Michigan FFA Foundation. Four committees were adopted they are Promotion,
Membership, Technology, Education and Trips. Join, we need your input!
Francis Childs’ visit
stimulated each one who attended to make one or two simple changes to improve
their efficiency and make a contribution to the their bottom line. At the
meeting people from seven counties were present and we had new members joining
our group to explore new ideas and possibilities.
We have applied for two grants.
Feasibility study for corn
starch production plus making that corn starch into palmers for packing material
and kids educational toys.
The second year of the Re-dux
sprayer project where we will repeat the replicated plots to evaluate the
difference between the regular sprayer on three different rates vs. Re-dux at
the same rates. Cooperators are needed to complete the projects.
The possibilities of sponsor an
educational program to be held on the East side of Ingham County at the end of
March or the first week in April is being explored details to follow.
CAIF Spring Newsletter
CAIF Has It’s Own Website! To get to the CAIF site go
to http://www.msue.msu.edu/valueadded/, the MSU value added agriculture site and
click on CAIF.
George Silva, extension agent for Eaton County will update the site. By the way,
if you have any address corrections please send them to Todd Eldred at 2777
Ingalls Rd, Leslie, MI 49251 or to teldred@voyager.net. Send your e-mail address
to the same and we will all save a ton on postage for this newsletter the next
time around. Fax numbers also will help save postage.
Climate Change and Agriculture March 22nd -- East
Lansing
A workshop on Climate Change and Agriculture in the Great Lakes Region was held
at MSU’s Kellogg Center. Tony Igl, Irwin Felton, Neal Conway, Mark Hansen,
John Oakley, Leland Townsend and Todd Eldred attended representing CAIF.
Meteorologists, Ag Economists, Seed, Potato, and Grain Representatives, and Ag
Consultants all gave us the current wisdom on climate change over the next 100
years. To summarize: it may get warmer or colder, it may get drier or wetter or
it may do more of all of these with more volatility, depending on which model
you use to forecast. But the wind will still blow and Richard VanderVeen of Bay
Wind Power had some interesting observations on the modern use of wind for the
generation of electricity. He may give us a presentation at a future meeting.
Francis Childs, Champion Corn Grower February 18th
-- Charlotte
A meeting at Janson Equipment Company featured Francis Childs, champion corn
grower and Dennis Greenman, who spoke on specialty crops. Attendance count 148
plus 14 Janson Equipment personnel. At the meeting Dennis Greenman’s
presentation gave insight into the options of specialty crops. With the new
programs in place the ability to diversify their farming operation and take
advantage of crop insurance program. The key is niche markets and the ability
for identity preservation and a quality product being produced. The presentation
of Francis Childs was based on prevention of risk before it happens.
Attendees evaluation comments: positive attitude, proper tillage, depth of
tillage, direction of tillage, controlling planter depth, selection of seed,
soil fertility, plant spacing, timeliness of nitrogen application with time
release additive, using technology for insect and disease control, adjusting
harvest equipment for maximum yield and quality, width an size of tires to
minimize compaction while controlling traffic patterns to lessen compaction for
future crops. Most of those polled wanted to see Mr. Childs at a return
engagement.
If you haven’t already: Please renew your membership
for 2002 Now!
Contact Don Oesterle 589-9634
Project Green Grant Approved March 27
Mason Capital Area Innovative Farmer received notification the grant that was
applied for from Project Green has been approved for the continued research in
testing the ReDux sprayer system. Now we need plot locations to do the testing
we are all hopeful that weed pressure is greater in our plot locations and
growing conditions are better for all of our members this year.
Silva Explores Deep Tillage Research March 28 -
Charlotte
The Capital Area Innovative Farmers and author George Silva submitted a proposal
in hopes to continue to fulfill the goals of our organization, which is: to
serve as a forum for increasing knowledge and working together to explore ways
to increase profitability for area farmers. After hosting meetings with top
innovative producers (Francis Childs and Ray Rawson) we were compelled to
research the feasibility of a common idea that both growers felt were able to
achieve high yields by deep tillage. The application outlines CAIF’s proposed
system of researching the deep tillage concept used by Ray Rawson and Francis
Childs to achieve higher yields with lower risk. If this research is successful
it will show the way to enhance the environment by lowering the risk of leaching
of nutrients into the aquifer. Intensifying production and help to provide
increased income for farm families while decreasing America’s dependence on
foreign oil and reestablishing the USA as a dependable source of agriculture
products.
Ag Expo Ag Expo is July 16th-18th this year
The equipment theme is tillage. On display and in the field will be tools for
deep tillage and seedbed preparation Also this year the Ag Expo will be the site
of some sheedog trials. Standing Committees Set Up at Annual Meeting At our
Annual meeting we set up standing committees. Here is the list so far:
Promotion: Bruce Noel, Tony Igl, Neal Conway, and Todd Eldred. They are working
on newsletters, and are getting more hats and badges for new members. New
members should contact Bruce to make sure they get their hat and name tags.
Membership: Tony Igl, Leland Townsend, and Jake Wamhoff. Education and trips:
Steve Lott, Bill Friend, Sid Hawkins, Dennis Greenman and Scott Abbot.
Technology: John Oakley, Gary Wilcox, Robert Hicks, Bruce Harris, Brian
Dierberger, and Erwin Felton. Contact the first name on each list (they are the
representative from the board for each committee) to find out what they do and
when they meet next. You are welcome to join any committee!
Rawson and Rossman Speak at Wheatfield April 3 2002
Williamston
The Capital Area Innovative Farmers held a informational meeting at the new
Wheatfield Township Hall. The supporters of this Meeting were Brown Seed
Company, Michigan Cat, and Nachurs / Alpine Fertilizer and the Michigan
Department of Agriculture. Dan Rossman, Extension agent for Gratiot County,
started with a question “How many of you are involved in organic farming or
considering it? Two of fifty-four raised their hands. After the evenings’ flow
of information,when the evaluations were handed in, fourteen of thirty eight
participants answered yes to the question: “Do you think your farming
operation will be involved in some phase of organic agriculture in the next
three years?” This fact is totally surprising, but shows the state of
agriculture in the United States. After some pizza Ray Rawson presented and
discussed his ideas and innovations in production agriculture. Fielding question
Ray gave details on the foliar feeding program and the economic of the deep
tilling and foliar feeding practices which he uses in his operation in northern
Michigan.
The offer of the use of a deep tilling tool was quickly accepted and the
arrangements are being made to pick-up this tool for use by our members. The use
of the deep till tool will have a fee for transport and replacement of shanks
and points. At the end of the meeting the consensus of the group was the need to
visit the farming operation of both Ray Rawson and Francis Childs this summer.
Some estimates for these trips: Bus cost: Passengers / bus 45 Farwell, Michigan
$ 550 Plus driver care: $15/person Snacks for bus: $ 3/person Could stop Soaring
Eagles Casino for supper: $15/person Total $33/person Bus cost: Manchester. Iowa
$1856 Plus Driver care: $49/person Snacks for bus: $5/person Hotel $33x2: $33
person Total $87/person
Noel Presents to Corn Growers
Bruce Noel gave a presentation on the KTM corn starch project at the Michigan
Corn Growers Association annual meeting. The meeting, held in Birch Run ,
Michigan last month was an opportunity to relate information on the grant for
the development of high amylase starch corns for the Michigan area. The USDA
grant is still in process.
CAIF Board: John Oakley 204-4791 Tony Igl 628-3568
Steve Lott 676-1723 Bruce Noel 589-8373 Don Oesterle 589-9634 Russell Oesterle
676-7675 Newsletter Editor: Todd Eldred 937-5565 teldred@voyager.net
Beware of Anhydrous Thieves
Bruce Noel attended a drug policy meeting at the Amway Grand this winter. A
major concern is the theft from farms and retailers of anhydrous ammonia. The
fertilizer is used in the manufacture of illegal drugs. Tank locks are available
and encouraged. Hopefully federal money will be available in the future to
defray the expense of buying them. Safety is not an issue with the thieves, who
sometimes drill a hole in the tank and catch the ammonia in coolers, endangering
many in the process. The frigid liquid actually has a street value of hundreds
of dollars per gallon! If you have any concerns or information please call
800-METHTIP (800-638-4847). Try not to leave tanks sitting for long periods
unattended in fields. Reports are that the drugs are also starting to be made
from Miracle Grow and other fertilizer sources.
Bruce has also given several interviews to Mid-Michigan
area newspapers on the subject. He had to cut back on interviews after a story
about his running out of his house in pursuit of the thieves clad only in his
underwear and cap elicited numerous inquiries from female readers. Bruce, who
(as most reporters noted) is a strong, silent type, can’t be bothered with
this as he is happily married.
We’re on the web! http://www.msue.msu.edu/valueadded/
