Ky. vet incentive apps due Dec. 1

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Veterinarians, technicians and technologists who work with large animals and have school loans to pay back are eligible to apply for a Kentucky incentive program. Applications for the program have to be postmarked by Dec. 1.

The programs is in place to help with shortages in the state’s large-animal medical workforce. The Kentucky Farm Bureau Education Foundation administers the program on behalf of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation.

A committee will select three people who have been in practice for fewer than three years since graduation. The recipients will receive up to $18,000 over three years for payment toward outstanding school loans. Applications and information are available online at
http://kycattle.org/VetIncentive.aspx

Fergason heading corn contest

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — The National Corn Growers Assoc. (NCGA) announced Kyle Fergason was promoted to National Corn Yield Contest Manager and is handling the day-to-day operation of this popular program.

Formerly the contest specialist, Fergason has worked for NCGA since August 2009. He came to NCGA directly after graduating from the University of Missouri with a bachelor of science degree in agribusiness management. A former 4-H and FFA member, he grew up around animal agriculture on his family’s farm in Carrollton, Mo.
Harvest forms are due Dec. 1. Traditional harvest forms are available on the NCGA website or contestants can choose to submit data electronically through the site.

KADB invests $2.8M in projects
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB) approved $2,837,392 in 29 agricultural diversification projects across the Commonwealth during its September board meeting.

The Breckinridge County Board of Education was approved for $5,625 in Breckinridge County funds to provide a metal inert gas (MIG) welding training program for area producers. The Owen County Farm Bureau was approved for $82,419 in county funds to construct a permanent facility for the farmers’ market in Owenton.
The Licking River Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. was approved for $975 in Harrison County funds for the promotion of area farms and agribusinesses. The Owensboro Community & Technical College was approved for $22,696 in Daviess County funds to provide a MIG welding course and a computer training course for producers in Daviess County.

County Agricultural Investment Program projects approved by the board totaled $2,695,649 and included Allen, Bullitt, Butler, Caldwell, Carlisle, Casey, Cumberland, Estill, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, McCracken, Metcalfe, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, Spencer and Wolfe counties.

Deceased Farm Animal Disposal Assistance Programs were approved by the board, totaling $20,278, in Adair, Carroll, Franklin, Metcalfe and Taylor counties. Shared-use Equipment Programs approved by the board totaled $9,750 for Woodford County.

ISA grant to research markets

ANKENY, Iowa — The Iowa Soybean Assoc. (ISA) has been awarded an $84,000 grant from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) to participate in the FAS 2010 Emerging Markets Program.

Over the next year, ISA will use the funding to conduct an in-depth assessment of the current and likely demand potential for soybean meal in Sri Lanka. The project will include investigating the adequacy of delivery systems to current and potential customers, as well as the commercial and political issues that could either constrain or enhance trade feasibility.

To receive the grant, ISA pledged cost share contributions of $36,000. ISA has contracted Peter Mishek, president of Mishek, Inc. and Associates, an international marketing consultant, to travel to Sri Lanka and conduct the market study, then help ISA complete an assessment. They will assemble critical information necessary for U.S. exporters to conduct trade of soy meal in Sri Lanka. This information will include port capabilities, surveyor contractors, logistical suppliers, as well as local buyers such as feed millers, fish farmers and poultry integrators.

Local investors backing EMS
NEW ALBANY,  Ind. — Energy Management Solutions has secured financial backing from private investors to complete development of its proprietary energy data management software and to launch its energy monitoring services.

The terms of this support will provide the company with the opportunity to complete its software platform and expand operations beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010. Energy Management Solutions, located in the Purdue Research Park of Southeast Indiana, is an energy monitoring and management company that provides its clients with a single point of purchase for their energy monitoring needs.