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Last updated on Tuesday, August 5, 2014
(BEDFORD) - Feldun-Purdue Agricultural Center, will mark its 100th anniversary with a celebration on August 23 with a celebration of the past and future.
The event will kick off at 2 p.m. and includes an evening program at 7 p.m. Those attending need to RSVP by Wednesday by calling the Center at 279-8554 or by emailing farm superintendent Brad Shelton at sheltonb@purdue.edu.
The Center, located just west of Bedford on State Road 458, original 360-acre tract was donated by Moses Fell Dunn, a highly regarded lawyer and member of the state legislature, and his wife Antoinette to Purdue University in 1914 for the "advancement of agriculture." The farm now has more than 880 acres and rents an additional 300 acres.
The farm's breeding program is what put the farm on the map.
The farm began DNA testing of cattle, establishing genetic markers for preferred traits and a Bull Test Station to improve the cattle herds in southern Indiana.
Research at FPAC focuses on commercial beef cattle breeding and management. Scientists in the Department of Animal Sciences use most of the pasture for a cattle herd that is part of a long-range genetics study. Other research has included studies of growth, yield, and cutting alternatives for upland central hardwoods and grazing research. Agronomic field studies with row crops are limited, with roughly 60 acres of soybeans and 140 acres of corn.
In addition to scientists from the Department of Animal Sciences, researchers from the Departments of Agronomy, Forestry and Natural Resources, and Entomology conduct research at FPAC.
Registration and health screening opportunities will be from 2-3 p.m. from IU Health-Bedford and view current on-test IBEP bulls before tour which will begin at 3 p.m. till 5:30 p.m. to showcase research conducted over the year.
Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. with a program to follow.
The farm is at 1117 State Road 458, Bedford. Take State Road 58 West from State Road 37, turn right on 458 and the farm is at the end of the road on the left.
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