Aquaculture workshops scheduled for Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Individuals interested in starting a new aquaculture facility or expanding an existing facility will find plenty of advice and answers to their questions at two Summer Aquaculture Workshops taking place this July.

Hosted by the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and Purdue University extension, these free workshops will be July 14 at the Farmstead Inn and Conference Center in Shipshewana, and on July 17 at the Birdseye Masonic Lodge in Birdseye.

Each of the workshops will run 9 a.m.-3 p.m. EDT. Program highlights will include insight to Indiana aquaculture initiatives and opportunities, guidance on permits and regulations, instructions on preparing a business plan by species and production system and tips on setting economic projections and managing cash flow.
The July 14 workshop will focus on recirculation systems and include an optional tour of Biard Fish Taxidermy in Ligonier, while the July 17 workshop will focus on ponds and cages with an optional tour of Andry’s Fish Farm LLC in Birdseye. In addition, each participant will take home a resource guide of area suppliers of fingerlings, feed, production systems and more.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with seating limited to 50 attendees at each workshop. Lunch will be served at noon, and the optional tours will depart at 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register online, visit www.indianafishfarming.com or call 800-735-0195.

Poet researching cellulosic ethanol in new division

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Sioux Falls-based ethanol maker Poet announced June 17 the creation of a new division devoted to managing corncobs, waste wood and other feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol.

Poet Biomass is being led by Scott Weishaar, the company’s vice president of commercial development. He said Poet’s cellulosic ethanol goals depend on a steady supply of corncobs. Weishaar says Poet Biomass was created to make sure farmers have everything they need in order to help fuel the nation with both grain-based and cellulosic ethanol.

Poet’s pilot plant in Scotland, S.D., already is making about 20,000 gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year. The company said in a release that plans are on schedule for 25 million gallons per year of commercial production in Emmetsburg, Iowa, in 2011.

Beck’s and Pioneer enter into R&D agreements

ATLANTA, Ind. — Beck’s Hybrids and Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, announced they have entered into research and distribution agreements to bring additional corn and soybean products to growers in the marketplace. Under these agreements, Beck’s and Pioneer will collaborate in research efforts and in the distribution of corn and soybean seed under the XL brand.
Beck’s tests germplasm from around the world to select the products that are specifically adapted to its marketing area. This agreement does not limit Beck’s from using technology or germplasm from any other entity.

As part of the PROaccess business strategy, Pioneer has developed customized business agreements with independent seed companies to address their specific needs.  Pioneer manages the PROaccess business strategy relationships separate from its Pioneer brand.

Under this strategy, the seed marketed and distributed by companies, such as Beck’s, will be unique and not available from Pioneer sales reps. In turn, Pioneer brand products are only available from Pioneer sales reps.

IPL parent plans 200-tower Central Indiana wind farm
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (AP) — The parent company of Indianapolis Power & Light Co. is planning a wind farm with 200 or more towers that could become the state’s largest generator of the alternative energy.

AES Vice President Paul Burdick told The Indianapolis Star that turbines could start going up next year in a 75,000-acre area along the Clinton-Tipton county line about 35 miles north of Indianapolis.
He said Virginia-based AES hopes the wind farm can produce 400 megawatts of electricity. That’s roughly the output of a midsize coal-burning power plant and enough to power about 400,000 homes.

A 300-megawatt wind project in Benton and Tippecanoe counties is due to come online this year.