Summer 2012

Volume 6

A Quarterly Publication by MacAllister Machinery

Agriculture Outlook 2012

The 2012 growing season is in full swing. While your crops are maturing, what can you expect to see in the agriculture industry this year? Women have always been a fundamental part of American agriculture and now an increasing number of females are taking on leadership roles. In fact, over one million women operate US farms, which is a twenty-two percent increase since 1997. Women are also the principal operators of more than fourteen percent of the nations farms. Hiring in agricultural jobs, in both rural and urban areas, is trending upwards. According to the USDA, one in twelve American jobs is agriculture-related. This incline is in part due to the diversity of the next generation of farmers, including professionals leaving corporate America to establish their own farming operations. Consumers and farmers across the nation are embracing the locally grown, farm-to-table movement. Local farmers markets and organic produce are thriving across the country. Over the years, consumers have grown increasingly disconnected from their food supply. In fact, recent research from the US Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) revealed that seventy-two percent of consumers know little to nothing about farming or ranching, however nearly that same number also said how food is grown and raised impacts their purchasing decisions. Several agriculture organizations are answering this call to action by raising awareness about American agriculture among consumers.
Information provided by Farm Credit.
Summer 2012
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More Women Shaping Agriculture

More Careers in Agriculture

Strong Consumer & Producer Support in Locally Grown Food A Reconnection Between Consumers and Producers

Volume 6

Harvest More Acres in Less Time

More acres in less time, using less fuel thats what you get when you harvest with Challenger 500C Series combines. Designed for maximum capacity and efficiency, the 500C Series includes the Class VII 540C with 370 rated horsepower and a boost to 426 horsepower, and the Class VIII 560C with 460 rated horsepower and a boost to 502 horsepower. Both of the 500C Series combines are powered by the 9.8 liter, seven cylinder AGCO Power engine with e3 technology making them fully compliant with Tier IVi emissions standards through the use of Select Catalytic Reduction (SCR). The 500C Series combines offer unsurpassed harvesting capacity, while providing greatly improved fuel efficiency over previous models. The increased capacity starts with the all new multizone inlet that feeds the crop material into the redesigned segmented rotor. This design not only allows for great capacity, but it also is designed for greater control of the crop and less power required to perform these operations. One of the most innovative designs on these machines is the patented V-Cool system that provides cooling for the entire machine. At the heart of the V-Cool system is a hydraulically driven, variable speed fan placed on top of the machine drawing air into the system from the cleanest part of the field above the combine. This is a smart system that measures ambient air temperature as well as the temperatures of machine functions and only runs the fan as fast as it needs to run, so on cooler fall days there is less horsepower required to cool the machine and there is more power available to use elsewhere. When it comes to efficiency, there is no system available on the market that achieves Tier IVi emissions compliance with the level of fuel efficiency that AGCOs e3 technology offers in the 9.8 liter, seven cylinder AGCO Power engine. By using SCR technology, these engines are able to be tuned to provide the hottest, most efficient burn of fuel possible and then simply treat the exhaust after it has left the engine to reduce the harmful emissions. To improve upon the efficiency that these engines provide, the engine has also been moved 90 degrees so that it is now placed inline and at the same angle as the rotor. By doing away with the need to change directions in the drive lines, the 500C Series combines have increased the efficiency of the transfer of power from the engine to the rotor to the point that this transfer is over 90% efficient. Both the 540C and the 560C offer 350 bushel bin capacity, and have still maintained the fastest in the industry unload rate of 4.5 bushels per second. Contact MacAllister Machinery today to learn more.

Above: Challenger 500C Series combines maximize efficiency and capacity, letting you harvest more acres in less time. These machines are also fully compliant with Tier IVi emissions standards though the use of SCR.
Information provided by Challenger. Photo courtesy of AGCO. Summer 2012
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Volume 6

Know Your

This summer we will be paying for that mild winter we had. Most winters thin the pests populations, however that is not the case this year. In fact, health officials are predicating that the summer of 2012 will be one of the worst seasons in recent years for mosquitoes and ticks. You already know mosquitoes are annoying and ticks are gross, but what you may not be aware of is how dangerous these insect pests can be and that you can take steps to prevent them from ruining your summer plans and outdoor activities. There are about 150 species of mosquitoes in North America (3,000 in the world!), but most of what will be pestering us this summer is the Culex pipiens, also known as the common house mosquito. It is the typical brown and gray with relatively unmarked gray legs and a compact antenna that you are all too familiar with or at least you are familiar with the females. Mosquitoes only require blood for fertile egg development. Since males do not lay eggs, they do not bite. Both male and female mosquitoes feed on plant nectar or fruit juices and primarily rely on sugar as their main source of energy. However, when a female lays eggs she requires a blood meal for each batch of eggs (and she does lay multiple batches of eggs). During one blood feeding, she takes away about three times her body weight in blood. During these blood feedings, mosquitoes can carry and transmit diseases such as malaria, encephalitis, yellow fever, and the increasingly popular West Nile virus; which was brought to the US in 1999 by the common house mosquito. They can also infect dogs with fatal heartworm disease. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, it consumes heartworms in their blood stage, which are small enough to develop inside the mosquito, then are spread to a new dog when it is bitten. The worms develop into a large filarial worm that lives in the heart and lungs of dogs. To reduce mosquitoes, limit standing water. All types of mosquitoes lay their eggs in water so limit their options for reproducing by removing standing water. Check downspouts, gutters, flat roofs, childrens sandboxes, outdoor toys, wagons, etc. Be sure to dump and clean dog and cat water bowls regularly. When possible, tip large outdoor items over that could hold water. Tighten or remove tarps. If tarps stretched over equipment arent taut, theyre holding water. Remove excess grass clippings, leaves, and firewood from your yard. Wear light colors. Light colors reflect heat and are generally less attractive. Dark colors capture heat and make most people more attractive to mosquitoes. Treat your home and farm with mosquito elimination barrier treatments. And as always, use bug spray. Also watch out for ticks, particularly the Ixodes scapularis, otherwise known as the deer tick (now called the black legged tick) which spread Lyme disease. These ticks are very small, much smaller than the wood or dog tick and they do not have festoons or ridges on the edge of their lower abdomen. If you do discover one of these ticks, remove it as soon as possible. Infected deer ticks must feed for at least 24 hours before they can begin to Above: Mosquito and transmit the Lyme disease bacterium, so it is imperative that you remove it tick populations are on immediately. the rise. Protect yourTo reduce ticks, clean and eliminate leaf or grass clippings, mow tall self and your pets. grasses and keep your lawn short. Clear out areas where lawn and tree debris gather. Ticks thrive in moist, shady areas so try to limit these desirable locations. Know tick hiding places and check them frequently: brick walls and fences are also favorite spots for these pests. Also be sure to ask your veterinarian about flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives for your pets.
Information provided by Rutgers University Center for Vector Biology.
Summer 2012
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Enemies

Volume 6

Summer Break Safety

School is out and that means there will be more children at home and around the farm the next few months. It has been a full year, so be sure to remind your kids about farm safety during summer break. To keep everyone safe, follow these tips recommended by Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, an organization that educates children and adults about farm safety. You can visit www.fs4jk.org for more tips on keeping kids (and their adults) safe on the farm.

Uses for Everyday Items

Each issue will include creative uses for everyday items. This column will provide clever and creative solutions using items already found in your home. Have a creative use for an ordinary item? Submit your idea and see it featured in The Grain Bin. Submissions can be emailed to Rick Crafton at
RickCrafton@MacAllister.com.

Walk around moving machine parts and do not remove shields. If there is no seat, there should be no rider. Do not play on or around grain. Immediately seek help if someone is caught in grain. Do not eat or drink anything if you do not know what it is. Follow all warnings on chemical containers (note to parentsbe sure to keep fertilizers and other farm chemicals out of reach of small children playing in the barn). Wear sunscreen and hats while outside. Wear dust masks when around dust. Only mow up and down slopes with a riding mower and across while using a push mower. Never leave a running mower or tractor unattended. Wear a seatbelt while riding in a vehicle. Do not ride in the back of pickup trucks. Stay outside the animal fence unless accompanied by an adult and be aware of animal behavior. Do not run out in front of moving tractors or equipment.
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Backyard Barbeque
Childrens Wagon: Keep drinks chilled. Fill the wagon with ice and beverages. Leave it stationary for a touch of country charm or make the rounds offering attendees a cool beverage. Candle: Take the tears out of chopping an onion. Light a candle next to your cutting board. The gas released by the onion is drawn into the flame of the candle. Ice Cream Cone: Serve cupcakes in an unexpected way. Fill flat-bottom cones two-thirds full with cake batter. Bake, let cool, frost, and enjoy.

About the Editor

Brittany Swackhamer is a freelance writer from Cicero, Indiana. She has a passion for agriculture, livestock, and rural life.
Volume 6

Summer 2012

Farmers Future Forecast

predicting the weather since 1792, when Robert E. Thomas devised a secret formula for forecasting. Todays forecasts are based on three scientific disciplines: solar science, climatology, and meteorology. The predictions are determined by comparing solar patterns and historical weather conditions with current solar activity. According to the Almanac, summer will be cooler and drier than usual with below average temperatures and precipitation throughout Indiana in July. This trend will continue in August. Fingers crossed that is accurate and it will finally cool down a bit! In September, the Lower Lakes Region will experience normal temperatures with slightly above normal precipitation; while the Ohio Valley will have below average temperatures and precipitation. October will bring in above normal precipitation with lower temperatures to the entire state.

Holidays & Events

4 7 15 3 13 19 26 3 9 18 22 22 2 4 8 27 31 Independence DayMM CLOSED Chocolate Day National Ice Cream Day Indiana State Fair Begins International Left Handers Day Indiana State Fair Ends Womens Equality Day Labor DayMM CLOSED National Grandparents Day National Respect Day International Day of Peace Autumn Begins World Farm Animals Day Ten-Four Columbus Day Make a Difference Day Halloween July
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Did You Know

Fun Facts About MacAllister Machinery
MacAllister Machinery Ag Division has several exciting job opportunities available. The states fastest growing farm machinery dealership has positions across the state available in both sales and service departments. Join our team! Visit www.MacAllisterAg.com for more information. Apply online.
Summer 2012

October

September

August

The Old Farmers Almanac has been

4-H Fairs Across IN

One of the best parts of summer is the County 4-H Fairs. For a complete list of fair dates for each Indiana county, visit www.four-h.purdue.edu and click on 2012 County Fair Dates on the right sidebar. A pdf file including an alphabetical listing of the counties and a map of Indiana showing each countys fair dates will open in a separate window. Support the youth involved in agriculture at the County 4-H Fair nearest you!

Volume 6

Location: Terre Haute, IN

Who is who at Terre Haute?

Brian Gum, Sales Representative: Has been with MacAllister 4 years. Graduated from Purdue. Lives near Bridgeton with Liz and 2 blue heelers, Luke & Mollie. Interests: farming, motorsports, & is a Parke County Extension Board member.

Eric Bowman, Technician: In his 1st year at MacAllister. Lives in Centerpoint with his
wife, Paige, daughter Raegan, and is expecting a son very soon. Interests: golf, truck pulling, camping, & spending time with his family.

Josh Enos, Parts Specialist: Has been with MacAllister 7 years. Lives in Brazil
with his dog, Ben. Interests: computers, long walks on the beach, and playing music. Special note from Terre Haute: We are in our 4th year as an Ag store and are looking forward to continued growth. Wed like to thank all of our customers for giving us the opportunity to work with them and are happy to be a part of their continued farming successes!

Submissions
Submit your comments, questions, pictures, and ideas to Rick Crafton. We look forward to hearing from you! RickCrafton@MacAllister.com
Summer 2012
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Volume 6