Tuesday, June 30: Preble and Darke Counties in Ohio

Times today are EDT or Ohio time

1) Robert Yeazel Farm – Tour begins at 9:30 a.m., interview at I 0:20 a.m. Two generations are involved in the operation and management of this farm. Mark Yeazel is working to improve the Red and White Holstein breed in part through sale of embryo transplants. The purebred Durocs are primarily managed by Jim Yeazel. New manure regulations impact all livestock producers. Aspects of concern include adequate storage relative to land for application, controlling runoff to protect surface water sour­ces, and balancing manure nutrients with crop production needs. Hear a discussion of preliminary plans for utilizing manure resources and reducing pollution potential on this farm.

2) Running Springs Farm – Tour and interview begin at 1 l :30 a.m. What’s continuous com doing on slopes like this? Norman Mull has seen the home farm change from primarily grassland for dairy and beef cattle to cash grain over the last 30 years. His experience with SCS has backed his concern for conservation farming, while detailed fa1m records have proven the benefits.

Lunch at 12:00 p.m.
Enjoy lunch in the shade at the private park/campgrounds operated by the Mulls. Luncheon tickets may be purchased for $5.00 at any tour stop until all tickets are sold.

Dale McNelly Farm – After Iunch, hear about ridge tillage f om one of the pioneers in the use of this tillage system. Average yields for 1987-199 I were 147 bushels on corn and 48 bushels on soybeans. Dale does a lot of experimenting with ridge til­lage and has some promising ideas to share with you.

3) Vanzant Farms – Tour begins at I :45 p.m., interview at 2:30 p.m. Steve Vanzant began fanning on 260 acres with Norman Mull in 1980. Today, Vanzant Farms has 1,575 acres in row crops and a 100 sow farrow-to-finish hog operation, cur­rently being expanded to 200 sows. Steve’s two full-time employees are a vital part of the operation. Finan­cial records aid in keeping overhead costs down and are vital in planning.

4) Downing Fruit Farm – Interview begins at 3:50 p.m., tour at 4:35 p.m. The Downing family has been involved in horticulture for 155 years in western Ohio. Currently the fifth through seventh generations are in a family partnership producing and marketing apples and pears plus other fruits and vegetables. See their
unique apple production and replacement methods, and hear how they store and market products at their farm market and elsewhere.

Wednesday, July 1: Randolph and Wayne Counties in Indiana

Times today are EST or Indiana time

5) Wilbur and Rex Clements Farm -Tour begins at 8:00 a.m., interview at 9:00 a.m. The Clements’ Farm is operated by Wilbur and his son Rex. They combine the talents and resources of their families to farm 900 acres and produce 2200 head of hogs farrow-to-finish, while using no hired labor. Learn how this operation has evolved into a highly efficient family business where each individual’s expertise is utilized to its fullest potential. Take a tour of their swine facilities, and see a demonstration of computerized feed mixing.

6) Myron Moyer Family Farm – Tour begins at I 0: 15 a.m., interview at 11 :05 a.m. A computer helps feed the 65+ registered Holsteins on this 940 -acre Wayne County dairy-grain farm. Myron Moyer considers it a challenge to breed cows that are high producers and also have excellent type. The rolling herd average of about 18,500 pounds of milk, 700 pounds of butte1fat, and 630 pounds of protein per cow per year with a 105.4% B.A.A. (Breed Age Average) for type indicate he is succeeding. The computer which con­trols amounts of concentrates for individual cows is also used for production and breeding records. Sara Jane Moyer uses a second com­puter for their business records. Their home and office will be open for the tour.

7) Lunch at Kirlin Farms at 12:00 p.m. Luncheon tickets may be pur­chased for $5.00 at any tour stop until all tickets are sold.

Triple “B” Farms -After lunch, hear Ed and Debbie Bell tell about their vegetable farm in Wayne County. A great deal has been written about diversifying farms by iden­tifying the unique production opportunities or market niches. As a management team, Ed and Debbie Bell have identified and positioned their farm to take advantage of such opportunities. Production includes corn, soybeans, several varieties of sweet corn, green beans, and strawberries. They are continually seeking new markets, ways to add value to their products, and methods of differentiating their products from those of their competitors. Our visit with Ed and Debbie will provide the opportunity to learn more about identifying niches and how to take advantage of them.

Kirlin Farms -Tour begins at I :45 p.m., interview at 2:30 p.m. The Charles and Nancy Kirlin farm is a diversified grain and livestock farm comprised of 1100 acres of crops and forages, as well as three live­stock enterprises. The cropping program features a center-pivot irrigation system just installed for the 1992 growing season on a field which yielded only 13 bushels of corn per acre in 1988. The farm’s three livestock enterprises include 175 registered Hampshire ewes, a 1500 head farrow-to-finish hog operation, and a 100 head cattle finishing operation. You will hear how the Kirlins make the sheep operation one of the most rewarding on the farm.

► Following the interview. Agricul­tural Economist J. William Uhrig will present an outlook update.

► Luncheon tickets for each day may also be purchased prior to June 26 by mailing a check payable to IFMA to Don Pershing, Ag Economics Dept., Purdue University, 1145 Krannert, W. Lafayette, IN 47907-1145. Specify the number of tickets and the day for the luncheon. Cost of each luncheon is $5.

Note: you may want to bring lawn chair.

The Indiana Farm Management Association sponsors this tour to encourage and develop high levels of management competence in Hoosier farmers.