By MICHELE F. MIHALJEVICH
Indiana Correspondent

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Five Kosciusko County farms will host the 75th edition of the annual Farm Management Tour, organized by Purdue University’s Department of Agricultural Economics for June 26-27.

The location of the tour changes from year to year, and is usually in adjoining counties, said Kelly Easterday, Purdue extension educator for ag and natural resources in Kosciusko County.

“This year, it’s 100 percent in Kosciusko County,” she said. “The farms are very close together, which will make it easy for visitors.”

The theme of this year’s tour is understanding and adapting to the changing agricultural economy. The impact of biofuel on several aspects of farming will be discussed. “This is an era of change, and everything from feed costs to storage is affected. We want to show farmers how to remain competitive,” Easterday said.

On June 26, visitors will tour the Sam Beer Farm and Tom Farms.
The day will start with lunch at noon EDT at the Sam Beer Farm, and mini-tours will begin at 1:45 p.m. The farm is a medium-sized farrow-to-finish operation. The impact of biofuel on markets for feed grains will be the topic.

The tour will move to Tom Farms at about 3 p.m,, with mini-tours getting underway at 3:40 p.m. Topics will include seed corn production technology, crop genetics and GPS technology. Andy Miller, director of Indiana’s State Department of Agriculture, will speak.

The second day will begin at Gingerich Dairy Farms at 7:30 a.m., with mini-tours beginning at 8:40 a.m. Sexed semen/reproductive technology and feeding management will be discussed.

At 10 a.m., the tour moves to Bishop Farms, where topics will include irrigation, specialty crops and crop record-keeping. Mini-tours will begin at 10:40 a.m.

The final stop on the tour is the Clunette Elevator. Mini-tours will begin at 1:15 p.m, and will include discussions on crop technology and enhancing crop performance.

Chris Hurt, Purdue agricultural economist, will give an updated market outlook for grains, soybeans and livestock at 2:30 p.m.

“Each farm has its own little niche,” Easterday said. “Every one has their own management style and they’re all a little bit different.”

The tour is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Kosciusko County extension office at 574-372-2340. A brochure with more information and directions is available at www.agecon.purdue.edu/extension/programs/farm_tour.asp