The Press-Dispatch
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B-8 Pike County Planter SWCD Newsletter Quarter 4, 2019 The Press-Dispatch Beacon Ag Group is a department of Beacon Credit Union. Each account insured up to $250,000 by American Share Insurance. By members' choice, this institution is not federally insured. *Crop and livestock insurance and equipment leasing are offered by Plan One Financial Services, LLC DBA Beacon Ag Service, a wholly owned affiliate of Beacon Credit Union and not insured by American Share Insurance. Positioning your family business for the next year has never been more critical. Let's face it, today's market presents new challenges and relying on the past does not guarantee a sure path forward. That's where the conversation starts. Beacon Ag Group was founded on the promise of sharing expert knowledge with the members we serve. As ag people serving ag people, we know that making the right decision means having more options. We listen to your unique challenges and guide the way toward financial success. Let's talk. It all starts with A conversation. CONTACT BEACON AG GROUP AG LOAN OFFICER BRANDON DECKER OR BEACON AG SERVICES* CROP INSURANCE SPECIALIST KALLIE BURKE-SCHUCKMAN TODAY AT (800) 825-6703 OR BEACONAGGROUP.ORG | Year-end savings on your favorite color. As the calendar winds down, we're winding up the savings on select New Holland tractors, hay & forage products and material-handling equipment. Get in on all the True Blue savings now, including 0% financing, cash back options and other exceptional year-end specials. Stop by your local New Holland dealer today for more details or visit nhoffers.com. 0% FINANCING * CASH BACK OPTIONS AND MORE! HURRY! OFFERS END newholland.com | #togetherblue . c n I , . o C t n e m p i u q E s r e h t o r B h c s e l B e v A y k c u t n e K E 7 0 4 , d n a l l o H , N I 1 4 5 7 4 m o c . S O R B H C S E L B . w w w 6 8 4 3 - 6 3 5 - 2 1 8 w e N g n i t a p i c i t r a p r u o y e e S . C L L a c i r e m A l a t i p a C l a i r t s u d n I H N C y b l a v o r p p a d n a n o i t a c fi i l a u q t i d e r c o t t c e j b u s n o i t a p i c i t r a p r e m o t s u C . y l n o e s u l a i c r e m m o c r o F * t n e m y a p n w o d a , l e d o m n o g n i d n e p e D . m r e t r o e t a r s i h t r o f y f i l a u q y a m s t n a c i l p p a r o s r e m o t s u c l l a t o N . s t n e m e r i u q e r y t i l i b i g i l e d n a s l i a t e d r o f r e l a e d d n a l l o H d r a d n a t s C L L a c i r e m A l a t i p a C l a i r t s u d n I H N C . s e t a t S d e t i n U e h t n i s r e l a e d d n a l l o H w e N g n i t a p i c i t r a p t a , 9 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D h g u o r h t d o o g r e f f O . d e r i u q e r e b y a m t o n s t n e m h c a t t a r o s n o i t p o l a n o i t i d d a , y r e v i l e d , p u - t e s , t h g i e r f , s e x a T . e c i t o n t u o h t i w n o i t a l l e c n a c r o e g n a h c o t t c e j b u s r e f f O . y l p p a l l i w s n o i t i d n o c d n a s m r e t , s e i r t n u o c r e h t o y n a m d n a s e t a t S d e t i n U e h t n i d e r e t s i g e r s k r a m e d a r t e r a d n a l l o H w e N d n a l a t i p a C l a i r t s u d n I H N C . d e v r e s e r s t h g i r l l A . C L L a c i r e m A l a i r t s u d n I H N C 9 1 0 2 © . e c i r p n i d e d u l c n i . s e t a i l fi f a r o s e i r a i d i s b u s s t i , . V . N l a i r t s u d n I H N C o t d e s n e c i l r o y b d e n w o 9 1 0 2 , 1 3 R E B M E C E D . Year-end savings on your favorite color. As the calendar winds down, we're winding up the savings on select New Holland tractors, hay & forage products and material-handling equipment. Get in on all the True Blue savings now, including 0% financing, cash back options and other exceptional year-end specials. Stop by your local New Holland dealer today for more details or visit nhoffers.com. 0% FINANCING * CASH BACK OPTIONS AND MORE! HURRY! OFFERS END newholland.com | #togetherblue . c n I , . o C t n e m p i u q E s r e h t o r B h c s e l B e v A y k c u t n e K E 7 0 4 , d n a l l o H , N I 1 4 5 7 4 m o c . S O R B H C S E L B . w w w 6 8 4 3 - 6 3 5 - 2 1 8 w e N g n i t a p i c i t r a p r u o y e e S . C L L a c i r e m A l a t i p a C l a i r t s u d n I H N C y b l a v o r p p a d n a n o i t a c fi i l a u q t i d e r c o t t c e j b u s n o i t a p i c i t r a p r e m o t s u C . y l n o e s u l a i c r e m m o c r o F * t n e m y a p n w o d a , l e d o m n o g n i d n e p e D . m r e t r o e t a r s i h t r o f y f i l a u q y a m s t n a c i l p p a r o s r e m o t s u c l l a t o N . s t n e m e r i u q e r y t i l i b i g i l e d n a s l i a t e d r o f r e l a e d d n a l l o H d r a d n a t s C L L a c i r e m A l a t i p a C l a i r t s u d n I H N C . s e t a t S d e t i n U e h t n i s r e l a e d d n a l l o H w e N g n i t a p i c i t r a p t a , 9 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D h g u o r h t d o o g r e f f O . d e r i u q e r e b y a m t o n s t n e m h c a t t a r o s n o i t p o l a n o i t i d d a , y r e v i l e d , p u - t e s , t h g i e r f , s e x a T . e c i t o n t u o h t i w n o i t a l l e c n a c r o e g n a h c o t t c e j b u s r e f f O . y l p p a l l i w s n o i t i d n o c d n a s m r e t , s e i r t n u o c r e h t o y n a m d n a s e t a t S d e t i n U e h t n i d e r e t s i g e r s k r a m e d a r t e r a d n a l l o H w e N d n a l a t i p a C l a i r t s u d n I H N C . d e v r e s e r s t h g i r l l A . C L L a c i r e m A l a i r t s u d n I H N C 9 1 0 2 © . e c i r p n i d e d u l c n i . s e t a i l fi f a r o s e i r a i d i s b u s s t i , . V . N l a i r t s u d n I H N C o t d e s n e c i l r o y b d e n w o 9 1 0 2 , 1 3 R E B M E C E D . Year-end savings on your favorite color. As the calendar winds down, we're winding up the savings on select New Holland tractors, hay & forage products and material-handling equipment. Get in on all the True Blue savings now, including 0% financing, cash back options and other exceptional year-end specials. Stop by your local New Holland dealer today for more details or visit nhoffers.com. 0% FINANCING * CASH BACK OPTIONS AND MORE! HURRY! OFFERS END newholland.com | #togetherblue . c n I , . o C t n e m p i u q E s r e h t o r B h c s e l B e v A y k c u t n e K E 7 0 4 , d n a l l o H , N I 1 4 5 7 4 m o c . S O R B H C S E L B . w w w 6 8 4 3 - 6 3 5 - 2 1 8 w e N g n i t a p i c i t r a p r u o y e e S . C L L a c i r e m A l a t i p a C l a i r t s u d n I H N C y b l a v o r p p a d n a n o i t a c fi i l a u q t i d e r c o t t c e j b u s n o i t a p i c i t r a p r e m o t s u C . y l n o e s u l a i c r e m m o c r o F * t n e m y a p n w o d a , l e d o m n o g n i d n e p e D . m r e t r o e t a r s i h t r o f y f i l a u q y a m s t n a c i l p p a r o s r e m o t s u c l l a t o N . s t n e m e r i u q e r y t i l i b i g i l e d n a s l i a t e d r o f r e l a e d d n a l l o H d r a d n a t s C L L a c i r e m A l a t i p a C l a i r t s u d n I H N C . s e t a t S d e t i n U e h t n i s r e l a e d d n a l l o H w e N g n i t a p i c i t r a p t a , 9 1 0 2 , 1 3 r e b m e c e D h g u o r h t d o o g r e f f O . d e r i u q e r e b y a m t o n s t n e m h c a t t a r o s n o i t p o l a n o i t i d d a , y r e v i l e d , p u - t e s , t h g i e r f , s e x a T . e c i t o n t u o h t i w n o i t a l l e c n a c r o e g n a h c o t t c e j b u s r e f f O . y l p p a l l i w s n o i t i d n o c d n a s m r e t , s e i r t n u o c r e h t o y n a m d n a s e t a t S d e t i n U e h t n i d e r e t s i g e r s k r a m e d a r t e r a d n a l l o H w e N d n a l a t i p a C l a i r t s u d n I H N C . d e v r e s e r s t h g i r l l A . C L L a c i r e m A l a i r t s u d n I H N C 9 1 0 2 © . e c i r p n i d e d u l c n i . s e t a i l fi f a r o s e i r a i d i s b u s s t i , . V . N l a i r t s u d n I H N C o t d e s n e c i l r o y b d e n w o 9 1 0 2 , 1 3 R E B M E C E D . *For commercial use only. Customer participation subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Industrial Capital America LLC. See your participating New Holland deal- er for details and eligibility requirements. Not all customers or applicants may qualify for this rate or term. Depending on model, a down payment may be required. Offer good through December 31, 2019, at participating New Holland dealers in the United States. CNH Industrial Capital America LLC standard terms and conditions will apply. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. Taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, additional options or attachments not included in price. © 2019 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. CNH Industrial Capital and New Holland are trademarks registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. Equipment Company 407 E. Kentucky Ave, Holland www.BLESCHBROS.com 812-536-3486 All landowners and producers in the Lower East Fork White watershed are invited to attend an informative meeting on Tuesday, November 12 beginning at 5 p.m. in Haysville at the St. Paul Lutheran Church. Caleb Rennaker from Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) will be our speaker for the evening. Other IDEM staff will be present including Angie Brown, Section Chief of the Watershed Planning and Restoration Section; Kevin Gaston, one of the biological monitoring field staff who assisted with the fish community assessments; and Lindsay Hylton who is one of the project managers. Rennaker will be giving a presentation on the over view and results of the watershed characterization study which includes water monitoring data results. IDEM staff will be providing in - formation and be available to answer questions regarding the results of the report. This informative public meeting is occurring at the same time period as a 30-day public comment period for the final draft of the IDEM report which is called a TMDL report. TMDL stands for Total Daily Maximum Load and refers to water quality in the Lower East Fork White River. This is a great opportunity for those living and working in the watershed to hear a report focused on the current water quality situation and to ask questions and make comments. Watershed Coordinator, Julie Loehr, will be present as well to help field any questions regarding the development of the Watershed Management Plan and a future cost-share program. The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. to give time for public comments and questions. A light supper will be provided for the evening. Please RSVP by No - vember 8. You may reser ve your spot by calling the Pike County SWCD office at 812-354-6882 ext. 3 or you can call the watershed coordinator, Julie Loehr at 812-779-7924. Plan now to come and hear what is happening in the Lower East Fork White River watershed. Lower East Fork White River Watershed News: Informative meeting slated or Nov. 12 Scientists develop methods to turn woody biomass into fuels By Brian Wallheimer Purdue News Service bwallhei@purdue.edu Increasing production of second-generation biofuels – those made from non-food biomass such as switch- grass, biomass sorghum, and corn stover – would lessen our reliance on burning fossil fuels, which contributes to climate change. Several barriers have prevented the efficient con- version of that biomass. Lig- nin, a complex compound in cell walls, blocks access to plant carbohydrates that could be cleaved into sugars and then fermented into biofuels. The compounds that hold plant cells together, as well as their tightly packed cell clusters, also block access to sugars for fermentation into fuels. Now, a team led by Purdue University has built on suc- cess in removing the lignin barrier to solve other cellular obstacles. Their findings, reported in the journals Plant Biotechnology Journal and Biotechnology for Biofuels, of- fer opportunities to significantly increase renewable biofuel production from crop waste products and biofeedstocks that could be grown on marginal lands. "Lignin is no longer a problem. We have a way of remov- ing it and making useful products from it, as well as getting access to plant carbohydrates for production of biofuels," said Nick Carpita, a Purdue professor in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. Purdue's C3Bio Energy Frontier Research Center has worked for more than a decade to tailor bioenergy crop species for chemical conversion to liquid hydrocarbon fuels like gasoline or jet fuel. Led by Maureen McCann, a Purdue professor of biological sciences, the C3Bio team has explored the obstacles besides lignin that must be over- come to make the carbohydrates more accessible for fuel production. Rick Meilan Rick Meilan (pictured) and Clint Chapple developed a type of poplar tree comprised of cells that can be more easily separated, creating better access to plant sugars needed for biofuel production. (Purdue Agricultural Communication photo/Tom Campbell) Download image "Removing lignin didn't eliminate all the issues of biomass recalcitrance," McCann said. "We needed to look at factors that made woody biomass difficult to degrade beyond lignin, and in its absence." Former Purdue chemist Mahdi Abu-Omar, a professor and Mellichamp Chair of Green Chemistr y at UC Santa Barbara, had discovered that using a nickel-carbon catalyst was an inexpensive and effective method for removing lignin without degrading the plant's carbohydrates. Even with lignin removed, however, the Purdue team had to find ways to break the tightly connected plant cells apart so that chemical catalysts or yeasts used in the biofuel refining process could do their jobs. Plant biologists Clint Chapple, a Purdue distinguished professor of biochemistr y, and Rick Meilan, Purdue profes - sor of molecular tree physiology, developed genetically modified poplar tree with altered lignin structure. Lignin is made of three basic building blocks called monolignols – guaiacyl (G), p-hydroxyl phenol (H), and syringyl (S). One of the trees developed by Chapple and Meilan contains greater than 90 percent S-lignin, which has weaker bonds with plant carbohydrates. Other poplar trees were also genetically modified to allow for easy breakdown of rhamnogalacturonan, a pectin-like substance in the middle lamella, the zone that glues the walls of plant cells together. Meilan and McCann overex - pressed genes that control production of rhamnogalacturo- nan lyase (RG-lyase), an enzyme that breaks down rhamno- galacturonan, removing the connections between cells. "Although rhamnogalacturonan is present at only 2 percent of the mass of the cell wall, removing it allows you to deconstruct the biomass particles into smaller clusters of cells, and that can have real energy savings when trees are being shredded to particles for any conversion process," McCann said. "Lignin is also deposited in the middle lamella, but removing only the lignin using the nickel- carbon catalysis, didn't allow the cells to become unglued." With all the lignin removed from Chapple and Meilan's poplar through the nickel-carbon catalysis, the team treated poplar wood particles with trifluoroacetic acid to loosen the tightly packed cr ystalline cellulose and its aggregation into large bundles in plant cell walls. The trifluoroacetic acid causes the cellulose to swell, making it easier to access the glucose molecules present in the cell walls for fermentation to ethanol. Or, using other chemical catalysts discovered by the C3Bio team, the cellulose and other carbohydrates can be converted to platform chemicals, such as hydroxymethylfurfural and levulinic acid, which are substrates or precursors for liquid hydrocarbon fuels. For now, the engineered poplars cannot be grown com - mercially as a bio feedstock because they're genetically modified organisms. They would need costly and difficult- to-obtain federal government approvals to grow these trees for any purpose other than research. But the knowledge that he, McCann and Carpita gained from them could be used in other crops modified through gene-editing CRISPR technology. "We now know how to disassemble the cell walls to produce various products, including transportation fuel," Meilan said. "What we're doing with poplar can help inform what's being done with other cellulosic feedstocks derived from corn stalk residues, or biomass sorghum and switch - grass." Carpita added that biofuels may be the main product produced, but certainly not the only one. "It would work for something like sorghum where you could use CRISPR to modify these plants to generate not only biofuels, but also chemicals from lignin and other com- pounds that we remove from plant cell walls," Carpita said. The research was supported by the Center for Direct Cat- alytic Conversion of Biomass to Biofuels (C3Bio), an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Purdue researchers involved with the work are all member of the Purdue Center for Plant Biology. Nick Carpita (pictured) and Maureen McCann have developed and refined methods for efficiently convert- ing cellulosic biomass into fuels. Their findings could be used with gene-editing technology to make fuel from biomass sorghum, seen here, or other bio feed- stock plants. Purdue Agricultural Communication photo.