The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1349176
Every year, farmer meetings domi- nate the extension schedule from Janu- ary through early March. As March 15 approaches, the meetings begin to taper off as more fieldwork becomes essential and thoughts of planting season (now re- ferred to as #plant21 due to social me- dia influence) surface. The farmer meet- ings this year were different, mostly vir- tual. The attempt to keep meetings going while fieldwork might occur simultane- ously as cell phones are used for infor- mation has more meetings bleeding in- to later in March. The success of that ap- proach is yet to be seen, but a recap of main themes both prior and in the future are worthy of a summary. In government programs, March 15 is the deadline for Agriculture Risk Cover- age or Price Loss Coverage elections for 2021. Purdue has maintained their previ- ous recommendations from the last sign- up period, with PLC preferred for corn and wheat with ARC recommended for soybeans. The odds of either program re- turning benefits are more questionable than in the past with stronger prices in all three markets this year. The Corona- virus Food Assistance Program Round 2 sign-up deadline was extended a cou- ple of weeks ago, giving farmers more time to analyze potential eligibility for that program. In market outlooks, the Purdue Cen- ter for Commercial Agriculture has tak- en to holding monthly market outlooks this past winter. Inverses in the farm fu- tures market, where near- term contracts are holding more value than those fur- ther into the future, point to tight supply globally. The Ag Economy Barometer, al- so administered by the Cen- ter for Commercial Agricul- ture, has shown similar char- acteristics, as farmer opti- mism in the here and now is high, but future opinions are much more moderated. The new shiny thing in agriculture seems to be carbon markets. Although agriculture contributes to greenhouse gas emissions in some ways, their poten- tial to hold carbon in the soil has the po- tential to make farms a recipient of pay- ments in a carbon market. Aggregators of carbon credits, as well as a significant amount of farm data, are recruiting farm- ers to receive these benefits now. As of this writing, at least six major companies in the Midwest were signing up farmers in our area. In field research, the major finding re- ported out this winter seems to be that potassium fertility close to soybean plant- ing may negatively affect yield. The find- ings by soybean specialist Shaun Casteel have received quite a bit of farm media coverage in the late winter. Jim Camber- ato, Purdue Extension fertility specialist, also has studies where corn reacts sim- ilarly to potash applications at high rates in the spring. In continuing research, the effects of sulfur applications are beginning to be a little more apparent, particularly in the forms that provide the most benefit. Part of the reason for the meeting season extending into late March is opportu- nity cost. Every decision that is made, especially concerning time spent, sac- rifices an opportunity to do something else. In economics, this results in a net profit or expense. Land use has oppor- tunity cost. Whether to farm corn or soybean is a choice that will have a dif- ferent net return depending on each field farmed. With the state legisla- ture and localities all around the state looking at farming corn, soybean, so- lar, or wind, that opportunity cost is much more important to consider. In- diana Farm Bureau and the Indiana Ag- riculture Coalition for Renewable Ener- gy are running a three-part series on farm diversification beginning March 11 and ending on March 25. Details are at infarmbureau.org/events. For more information on any of these topics, con- tact Hans at hschmitz@purdue.edu or 812-838 -1331. The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, March 10, 2021 A-7 Despite promising changes in the in- dustry, the answer today is still compli- cated. The risk to the Defense Department's rare earth elements supply chain is not due to a lack of the minerals themselves. While their name implies that producing refined rare earths requires a lucky de- posit on domestic soil, unrefined cach- es of rare earths exist abundantly in sev- eral places around the world, including the U.S. Mining and processing facilities for these rare earth elements, however, are not as easy to find outside of China. The Rand Corp. describes the key issues with rare earths as "less about the materials themselves and more about where the materials are produced and processed." Today, an estimated 85% of the glob- al rare earth oxide supply is produced in China. Historically, because of mar- ket domination, individual producers of specific materials, such as China and Chile, can temporarily sway market prices, causing disruption that free mar- kets eventually correct, but not without doing damage to time-sensitive defense programs. In the past, China has attempted to use its dominance in this sector for geopolit- ical gain. During a flash in tensions over the disputed Senkaku Islands in 2010, China unofficially imposed rare earth elements export limits against Japan. That caused the price of rare earths to surge from $ 9,461 per metric ton in 2009 to a stunning $ 66,957 per metric ton in 2011. In response to that supply shock, other countries established rare earth el- ements processing capabilities, the mar- ket eventually rebalanced, and China lift- ed its export controls by 2015. That incident demonstrated that free markets correct distortions in the rare earth elements sector, as they would any other sector. But defense programs can- not afford the disruption that comes with market realignment. Developing capacity and capability in rare earth elements mining and pro- cessing takes years, and programs like the F-35 and the Virginia-class subma- rine (which requires a whopping 9,200 pounds of rare earth materials) are too vital to our national defense to wait that long. Pentagon and Department of Energy grants have invested in processors and producers setting up shop in Texas and reopening the U.S.' primary rare earth elements mine in Mountain Pass, Cali- fornia. Even with the U.S. mining ores again, without beginning domestic processing, unrefined material must be processed overseas and is primarily processed in China. Part of why China continues to process rare earths mined from U.S. soil relates to the environmentally risky—and, there- fore, highly regulated—methods for pro- ducing refined rare earth elements. In the past, companies such the Colo- rado-based Molycorp have unsuccessful- ly tangled with meeting high standards in rare earth elements production. Rec- onciling environmental regulations with the vulnerable state of that supply chain will be a continuing issue. The Pentagon's recent announcement on the Lynas award should remind poli- cymakers that, in the rare earth elements sector, there is a limited but vital role for government to play in ensuring defense programs have access to the materials they need, including (and especially) in moments of geopolitical crisis. Government investment made in the sector, including two grants issued from the Department of Energy and the De- partment of Defense in the past year, will help to create the supply security that in turn promotes our national security. The global commercial market for rare earths has weathered geopolitical storms in recent years, and it can do so again, without government intervention. But the public investment made in rare earth elements—small relative to the De- fense Department's annual budget—will have a big impact in ensuring the warf- ighter is equipped to defend the U.S., its allies, and its interests in the midst of such storms. Maiya Clark is a research assistant in The Heritage Foundation's Center for Na- tional Defense, focusing on defense indus- trial base issues. ELEMENTS Continued from page 6 ing, tending to a 400 -acre farm where they raise their own food, take care of cows, chickens, pigs, llamas, etc. They raise their own fruits and vegetables, do their own canning, carpentry, pottery and repairs. Mother Dolores left the movie industry at age 25 af- ter seven to eight years of a successful career in the mov- ies. To understand how she made the decision to leave the glamour of Hollywood and enter into a religious order with strict monastic rules is just beyond my un- derstanding. Hollywood was shocked with her decision. She also mysteriously de- cided to break her engage- ment to Don Robinson, who was absolutely ready to mar- ry her, because she felt she had another calling. I just can't imagine the devastation this man had to undergo. What is amazing is that Don Robinson, after much agony, decided to sup- port her decision to become a nun. He never married but spent the rest of his life being a friend to Mother Dolores. He would visit and call her regularly, especially at Christmas and Easter, until his passing. The statement he made to her was some- thing like this: "Well, I re- spect your decision. For not all sincere and romantic love ends up in an altar." The story of this nun is told in a book titled, Ear of the Heart. I plan to get hold of this book because I think it's worth the investment. When asked if she had some doubts about her de- cision, she said, " Yes, about five to six times a day, during the early years of my join- ing the order. But you know, when God calls you to a task and you know in your heart it is the right thing to do, you heed His call." Check out the postings on Youtube. You will be enter- tained and fascinated. ••• Since it still Lenten Sea- son, do some good deeds such as prayer, fasting and alms giving. They can be challenging to do, but not so hard if you do them with a joyful attitude. For comments or sugges- tions, e-mail fenol@frontier. com Court Report FELONY Pike County Circuit Court Tony K. Garrett charged with sexual battery, a level 6 felony. Marcus S. Crowe charged with count I possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony, and count II operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Amber M. Ridener charged with count I possession of methamphetamine, a lev- el 6 felony, and count II operating a vehi- cle while intoxicated. Christopher S. Miller charged with count I maintaining a common nuisance - controlled substances, a level 6 felo- ny, count II possession of methamphet- amine, a level 6 felony, and count III pos- session of marijuana. Alfa D. Miller charged with count I maintaining a common nuisance - con- trolled substances, a level 6 felony, count II possession of methamphetamine, a lev- el 6 felony, and count III possession of marijuana. Benjamin T. Mathias charged with count I maintaining a common nuisance - controlled substances, a level 6 felo- ny, count II possession of methamphet- amine, a level 6 felony, and count III pos- session of marijuana. Kimberly Mathias charged with count I maintaining a common nuisance - con- trolled substances, a level 6 felony, count II possession of methamphetamine, a lev- el 6 felony, and count III possession of marijuana. TRAFFIC AND MISDEMEANORS Pike County Circuit Court Laura Cavins charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Joshua Aaron Davis charged with oper- ating a vehicle while intoxicated. Jeremiah I. Blair charged with operat- ing a vehicle with a schedule I or II con- trolled substance or its metabolite in per- son's body. Jalen T. Martin charged with posses- sion of marijuana. Brenton J. Leighty charged with pos- session of marijuana. Jerramy D. Barfknecht charged with operating a vehicle with an ACE of at least .08 but less than .15. David H. Jewell charged with count I possession of a controlled substance and count II possession of marijuana. Jesus Avelino Galindo-Mendoza charged with knowingly or intentional- ly operating a motor vehicle without ev- er receiving a license. Ronald Joseph Blackmon charged with possession of a device or substance used to interfere with a drug or alcohol screen- ing. CIVIL Pike County Circuit Court Capital One Bank (USA), N.A. sues Colby Kemp on complaint. LVNV Funding, LLC sues Stephen Sims on complaint. Nathan E. Leighty sues Rachael R. Leighty for dissolution of marriage. Shanae Goodge sues Trevor M. Goodge for dissolution of marriage. INFRACTIONS Pike County Circuit Court Nicholas C. Urbanek charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Elizabeth L. Truelove charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Bradly Allen Norrick charged with speeding in school zone. James C. Hughes charged with count I failure to provide vehicle registration certificate and count II operating a mo- tor vehicle with a false plate. Chayse M. Hayhurst charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Marijuana Autum Morgan charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Debra A. Gibson charged with speed- ing, exceeding 55 mph. Robert A. Helfert charged with operat- ing a motor vehicle with a fictitious plate. Keaydra K. Foster charged with speed- ing, exceeding 70 mph. Tarleasea L. Monday charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Amanda M. Cox charged with count I driving while suspended and count II dis- tracted driving. Hunter T. Barrett charged with speed- ing, exceeding 70 mph. Jeri N. Hayes charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Daphney Alice Ulysse charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Amy K. Perkins charged with speed- ing, exceeding 70 mph. David H. Jewell charged with count I no valid driver's license and count II speeding, exceeding 70 mph. David W. Cordell charged with federal motor carrier safety regulation violation. Daniel J. Baker charged with seatbelt violation. Mason S. Mobley charged with speed- ing, exceeding 70 mph. Reed D. Greenwood charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Angelo F. Coker charged with speed- ing, exceeding 70 mph. Riley P. Strickland charged with speed- ing, exceeding 70 mph. Eric D. Carner charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Tyler P. Pride charged with count I no valid driver's license and count II oper- ating a motor vehicle without financial responsibility. Heather N. Helm charged with speed greater than is reasonable for weather conditions. cars, ships and people are on the planet." Rowe points out that working and accomplishing things are big parts of what makes life worth living. He runs a foundation that gives scholarships to people to help them learn trades like construction. Of course, construction is dangerous. Some people get killed. Cuomo, should we stop building things? Rowe likes the phrase, "Safety third! " as a response to people who constantly preach, "Safety first! " "The ones who really get it done — they're not out there talking about safety first. They know that other things come first... Every sin- gle time I've hurt myself, it's always been in that fraction of a moment where I take my eye off the ball and I start to think that maybe somebody somewhere cares more about my well-being than me," he says. Rowe says COVID-19 chal- lenges us "to figure out how to live in a dangerous world. But guess what? That that's always been the case." He cites C.S. Lewis' es- say, "On Living in an Atom- ic Age," in which Lewis asks: "How are we supposed to live in a world with atomic weapons when everything could be over like that? ... (Lewis answered,) the same way we lived in a world when the Vikings could land on the shore a thousand years ago and raid villages." There's more to life than worrying about our death, writes Lewis: "We must res- olutely train ourselves to feel that the survival of Man on this Earth... is not worth having unless it can be had by honorable and merciful means." COVID-19 is "just differ- ent," says Rowe. "We'd be well-advised to understand where the risks are. And then we'd be better advised to go about the business of living the only life we have." John Stossel is author of "Give Me a Break: How I Ex- posed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media." ESSENTIAL Continued from page 6 NOSTALGIA Continued from page 6 LENT Continued from page 6 porting a hypothesis as evi- dence and discount anything contradicting the theory as an outlier. Ice melting means global warming. Ice forming is a natural, expected winter occurrence. Here is a classic example from The New York Times, which tries to ridicule any- one who would point to the cold weather as a contra- diction to the global apoca- lypse narrative: "Those who deny climate science love to declare that there's no such thing as climate change whenever the weather turns cold." Wrong. The left declares that there is climate change anytime the weather turns warm or there are forest fires such as those last summer. Here's another non sequi- tur from the big green move- ment, also reported by The New York Times: "In the United States, we're seeing longer wildfire seasons be- cause of hotter, drier condi- tions, and our hurricanes are becoming more destructive in several ways, including flooding and storm surge. ... We've always had floods, fires and storms, but climate change adds oomph to many weather events." Is there more "oomph" from severe weather events now than in the past? Gen- erally, no. The historical ev- idence shows 1) there are no more severe events than there were 50 years ago or 100 years ago (the period for which we have reliable data) and 2) the percentage of people in the world who die from extreme weather events, such as monsoons, forest fires, high tempera- tures, frigid winters, hur- ricanes and tornadoes, has been consistently falling for at least a century and is low- er today than any time in hu- man history. There are many reasons for this. First, we have bet- ter warning systems for se- vere weather events. Second, we are better prepared with superior building codes and more weather-resistant mate- rials. And third, technology and human know-how make us better prepared to deal with the "fires next time." We learn and we adapt from the vicissitudes of Mother Nature. It explains why, even though storms may be get- ting more destructive and we hear constant warnings of rising sea levels, people are paying higher prices than ev- er before for beachfront prop- erties in states such as Flori- da, South Carolina, Virginia and California. It may sound, to borrow a word from The New York Times, "counterintuitive," but these are the rock-solid facts. Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foun- dation and an economic con- sultant with FreedomWorks. He is the co-author of "Trum- ponomics: Inside the America First Plan to Revive the Amer- ican Economy." CLIMATE Continued from page 6 Fruit of the Spirit? • Love • Joy • Peace • Longsuffering • Kindness • Goodness • Faithfulness • Gentleness • Self-control You are to experience cre- ation; you have eyes to see the beauty of the physical world, along with the expres- sion of mankind toward God. You have ears to hear not only sounds of life, but music and singing. You can smell the aromas of creation, and you have the ability to taste food and drink, Finally, you can literally touch/feel another part of creation. Lent is more than finding God in our busy lives. It is about seizing Him where He is! Think about it. Down on the Farm By Hans Schmitz, Purdue Extension Educator Winter farmer meetings end LOUIE CAMPBELL Sales Professional lcampbell@patriotonline.com CALL OR TEXT 812-899-6267 @LouieYourCarGuy HWY. 64 W. • PRINCETON "Quite Simply, A Better Experience!" Looking for a Great Deal On Your Next Vehicle?