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Business Briefs - Nov. 12, 2008

Conservation incentives still available for Hoosier farmers

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Soon new conservation practices will be placed on more than 28,000 acres of Hoosier farmland, thanks to the Conservation Consultation Incentive program. Crop consultants and farmers receive financial incentives for implementing specific conservation practices, and more than $132,000 in incentives is still available.

Launched in February 2008 through a unique partnership between the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), the State Soil Conservation Board, Indiana Crop Consultant Advisors and 31 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), the Conservation Consultation Incentive program was piloted this summer and fall in specific areas within the Wabash River Tributary.  The goal of the program is to find additional ways to offer cost effective conservation assistance to farmers.

The ISDA and the State Soil Conservation Board set aside $200,000 from the State’s Clean Water Indiana Fund for the Conservation Consultation Incentive program. Pilot farmers implemented conservation practices including Nutrient Management, Pre-Side dress Nitrate Testing and Residue Management (cover crops and no-till practices).

To date, the Conservation Consultation Incentive has provided crop consultants with more than $28,000 in incentives; participating farmers have received approximately $14,000 in incentives for a total investment of $42,000.

Wabash River Tributary farmers who want to learn more about the Conservation Consultation Incentive program may contact their local crop consultant, call ISDA at 317-232-8770 or visit www.in.gov/isda

$2M available to address Michigan’s plant challenges

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs), Michigan’s plant agriculture initiative at Michigan State University, has issued its request for proposals (RFP) for fiscal year 2009.

More than $2 million will be available for funding research projects. Up to $1.05 million has been designated for new projects, with the remaining $1.05 million available for funding continuation of multiyear projects started in fiscal years 2007 and 2008. An RFP application and a complete listing of updated plant commodity research and educational priorities can be found at www.greeen.msu.edu

Proposals will be accepted in three categories: basic research, applied research and Extension/education/demonstration. All MSU and Michigan Department of Agriculture employees are eligible to apply for funding. There is no restriction on employment status of team members.

All funding proposals should clearly demonstrate how the project will benefit Michigan’s plant-based agriculture industries. Research and extension activities should complement ongoing programs or assist in exploring new ventures. All proposals will be evaluated by peer review panels composed of researchers, educators and industry professionals.

During the 2008 fiscal year, Project GREEEN awarded $1.5 million for 50 new research projects. Another $1 million was directed toward multiyear projects that started in 2006 or 2007. All funded projects address critical research and education priorities identified by the state’s plant commodity and stakeholder groups.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009. Awards will be announced in early March, with funds becoming available in April. To learn more about Michigan’s plant agriculture initiative at MSU, visit www.greeen.msu.edu

Michelin ag tires to discontinue BFGoodrich power radial 80

GREENVILLE, S.C. — As part of Michelin’s commitment to improve the availability of Michelin branded agricultural tires, the company announced it will no longer offer the BFGoodrich Power Radial 80 tire to its North American customers, effective Dec. 31. The company will convert the product’s industrial capacity to the production of MICHELIN brand agricultural tires.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires  for  every  type  of  vehicle,  including  airplanes,  automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs more than 22,300 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 17 locations.

11/12/2008