Herbicide causing Hoosier farmers, state regulators big problems
The Office of Indiana State Chemist reports the number of dicamba-related complaints has skyrocketed in the last three years—and it’s costing the state millions of dollars to respond.
Agriculture/Farming
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Distillery Trail map features 18 Indiana locations
The Distillery Trail brochure and map lists 18 distilleries that are part of the Indiana Grown initiative and produce craft spirits, such as whiskey, vodka and gin.
AgriNovus names new board members
The United Nations in December named current CEO Beth Bechdol to serve as deputy director general of its Food and Agriculture Organization, and the AgriNovus board is working on the transition.
IBJ Podcast: Hamilton County emerges as player in hemp industry
IBJ reporter Kurt Christian talks with host Mason King about what some are calling a “green rush,” which follows a 2018 federal law that removed marijuana’s non-psychoactive cousin from the Controlled Substances Act.
Hamilton County key to hemp supply chain
Hemp-processing companies are investing millions of dollars into refineries across Hamilton County to close a gap in the state’s CBD supply chain.
Corteva Agriscience to stop making pesticide linked to brain damage
The main manufacturer of a pesticide used for decades on a wide array of crops, including strawberries, corn and citrus, said Thursday it will stop making the product, which some activists have said is linked to neurological problems in children.
Lilly spin-off putting nearly 1,200 acres up for auction by Greenfield
The land formerly was owned by Eli Lilly and Co. and then was included in Elanco’s 2018 spin-off from the pharmaceutical company.
Proposed U.S. hemp rules causing high anxiety for industry
Hemp growers and entrepreneurs who were joyous a year ago after U.S. lawmakers reclassified the plant as a legal agricultural crop now are worried their businesses could be crippled if federal policymakers move ahead with draft regulations.
Holcomb OK with not using state surplus for $50M swine barn
Gov. Eric Holcomb initially proposed spending $291 million from the state’s reserves on five major capital projects, including the new barn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. But a bill recently filed by House Ways & Means Chairman Tim Brown left it out.
Trump says he’ll sign first-step China trade deal on Jan. 15
In the first-step agreement, the U.S. dropped its plan to impose new tariffs on $160 billion of Chinese imports and agreed to trim existing import taxes on about $112 billion in Chinese goods. In return, the U.S. said China agreed to buy $40 billion a year in farm products over two years.
Skeptics question value of China farm purchases under Trump deal
America’s trade representative says China has agreed to buy $40 billion per year in agricultural products. The president says it’s more than $50 billion. But the text of the deal hasn’t been made available, and China isn’t talking.
Farm, industry groups upset at final EPA ethanol rule
Some farm groups and farm-state lawmakers expressed anger at the Trump administration Thursday over final ethanol rules that they said failed to uphold the president’s promises to the industry.
Christmas tree growers face growing challenges
Each year, fewer Americans are putting up trees during the holidays. And those who do are increasingly choosing artificial ones.
Fishers ag-tech firm that had big growth plans files for bankruptcy
Fishers-based Aggressively Organic Inc., an agricultural technology company that focuses on alleviating food insecurity, announced plans in 2017 to hire 200 people by the end of 2021.
No. 1 milk company declares bankruptcy amid drop in demand
Dean Foods, America’s biggest milk processor, filed for bankruptcy Tuesday amid a decades-long drop-off in U.S. milk consumption blamed on changing trends and a growing variety of alternatives.
Dow Agro lawsuit accuses employees of stealing secrets before quitting
The company says Sotero Ramirez and Robert Lemon downloaded thousands of files of valuable and confidential information in the days leading up to their resignations, amounting to theft of company property and a violation of their non-disclosure and non-competition agreements.
Florida agtech firm aims to profit from Indiana corn waste
Naples, Florida-based Cormo USA is is set to make its mark in the world of peat moss, and the agricultural technology firm thinks Rushville is the place to do it. The company projects local employment will hit 250 by 2025.
U.S. finalizing rule to allow farmers to legally grow hemp
It’s a move that many states have awaited so they can begin widespread hemp production.
Some Indiana farmers uncertain hemp will become profitable
Some Indiana farmers have started harvesting their first legal crop of hemp without knowing whether it will prove to be lucrative.
Farmers blame Trump for biofuels rule they view as betrayal
Agriculture commodity groups and some farmers expressed frustration and anger Wednesday with a rule released by the Environmental Protection Agency that they said fails to uphold a promise President Donald Trump made 12 days ago.