chad rushing – WKVI Information Center

Harvest Season Means Heavier Traffic

September 16, 2014September 15, 2014WKVI

Harvest season is almost here. This is Farm Safety Week, which is a good time to plan for the coming weeks. Soon you will be sharing the highways and roadways with farm equipment, and your attention to traffic will need to be up. Purdue Extension Agriculture Educator Chad Rushing says there will be a lot to watch out for this season. Continue reading →

Planting Season is Progressing on Schedule

May 13, 2014May 12, 2014WKVI

The planting season was only slightly delayed after all of the winter weather and cool, stormy spring seasons the Northern Indiana area has seen.

Chad Rushing, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator at Purdue Extension in Starke County and in Pulaski County, told WKVI that last week found a lot of farmers in the fields getting their seeds planted for the growing season. All of the corn has been planted and the soybean fields are next on the list. Specialty crops like seed corn and vegetables have not yet been planted.

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Cold Spring, Wet Winter Could Hurt Upcoming Crops

March 25, 2014March 24, 2014WKVI

With the wet winter behind us and a seemingly cold spring ahead of us, farmers are beginning to grow a little concerned of the possible negative effects these weather patterns could have on this year’s crops. Chad Rushing with Purdue Extension told WKVI that the main issue is soil temperatures; the cold winter and cool spring has lowered soil temperatures and farmers are still waiting for those to warm back up.

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Purdue Extension Offers Services for Livestock Producers

March 24, 2014March 23, 2014WKVI

Producers with as few as a couple head of cattle to a large-scale farming operation can benefit from the expertise Purdue Extension offers. Chad Rushing is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator for Starke and Pulaski Counties. He says small livestock producers often find themselves at the mercy of factors beyond their control.

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Dry Spell in August Hurt Soybean Crops, Says Purdue Extension Educator

October 8, 2013October 7, 2013WKVI

Despite high hopes at the end of June for an overwhelming soybean yield, Chad Rushing, extension educator for agricultural and natural resources at Purdue Extension, said the predicted yield for soybeans and corn has dropped due to lack of rain in August. He said this vital time for the crops was drier than anticipated and has had a detrimental impact on yields; while it’s not a significant impact, he said it won’t be the phenomenal yields that had been predicted earlier this year.

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Corn, Soybean Crops Showing Drought Stress

September 3, 2013September 3, 2013WKVI

It’s been dry and the condition has taken its toll on yards, flower beds and farmers’ fields.

Chad Rushing, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator at Purdue Extension, says the corn crops had plenty of moisture during pollination, but the crops are now suffering from the lack of moisture.

“Corn especially is exhibiting signs of drought stress and that has affected kernel development and resulted in some fields aborting kernels which will lead to a reduced yield impact,” stated Rushing.

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Detasseling Season Hits Kankakee Valley

July 11, 2013July 10, 2013WKVI

There has been a lot of activity going on in the corn fields lately. No, it’s not harvest season, but a type of harvest is occurring – detasseling.

The tops of the corn plants are being removed in a process that Purdue Extension Starke County Ag and Natural Resources Educator Chad Rushing explains is a chance for cross-pollination.

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Planting Season Nearing Completion

May 31, 2013May 30, 2013WKVI

The spring planting season had farmers a little delayed in getting their crops in the ground, but Purdue Extension Starke County Ag and Natural Resources Educator, Chad Rushing, says planting is about finished.

“We’re definitely above average as far as the state goes,” said Rushing. “Corn planting is over 95 percent done – probably closer to 99 percent. We’ve got a little seed corn left, but all of the commercial corn is generally in.”

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