Senate sends hemp-production bill to House for debate
The Senate voted unanimously Monday to pass legislation that would legalize the farming and production of industrial hemp in Indiana.
Agriculture/Farming
Articles
Plunging corn prices bring new strategies on farms
A December survey by ag publication Farm Futures indicated a coming 3-percent reduction in corn acreage from last year, with a nearly 8-percent hike in acreage for soybeans.
Proposed hunting, fishing amendment to start over
A Senate committee passed a proposed constitutional amendment Monday that would protect Hoosiers’ right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife – but without language to protect farming that was included three years ago.
Lawmakers advance bill allowing industrial hemp crops
Hemp plants could start appearing in Indiana fields if a state Senate bill to allow growing the crop gains support from lawmakers.
Senate passes bill to protect agricultural rights
Senate Bill 186 provides that it is the responsibility of the state to conserve, protect, and encourage the development and improvement of agriculture. The goal is to guide the courts to interpret state laws to be sympathetic toward farmers.
Committee strips down, passes ag-gag bill
A Senate committee watered down a bill Tuesday that was meant to stop secret videography and photography of farming operations.
Bill would bolster Hoosier homegrown products
House Bill 1039 – approved unanimously Thursday by the Agriculture and Rural Development committee – is meant to bolster a program that brands Indiana-grown produce and meat.
Changes to farm-trespassing bill delay vote
The Indiana Senate Criminal Law Committee delayed a vote that had been scheduled for Tuesday amid a flurry of proposed amendments.
Steele removes farming from proposed hunting, fishing amendment
Sen. Brent Steele’s proposed amendment passed its first round in 2011, but needed approval this year to go on the ballot for ratification by voters. Now, with new language, the process will start over.
Indiana considers amendment that could shield industrial farms
The bill’s sponsors say it’s a way to keep non-farmers, including national animal rights groups, from meddling in the state’s rural interests.
Baggott leaves Compendium, goes whole-hog on food industry
The local tech titan and co-founder of ExactTarget has cut ties with his latest software venture to concentrate on his livestock and corn operations, plus a restaurant he just purchased in Greenfield.
Corn pile biggest since 1994 as crop overwhelms use
Stockpiles of corn in the United States, the world’s top grower, are rising at the fastest pace in 19 years as a record crop overwhelms increased demand for the grain used to make livestock feed and ethanol.
Storm a big blow to Indiana dairy operation’s finances
The cows are braving the cold at Fair Oaks Farms, but the milk they're producing is going down the drain because it couldn’t be delivered.
Government might deregulate corn, soybean seeds
The federal government on Friday proposed eliminating restrictions on corn and soybean seeds genetically engineered to resist a common weed killer. The new seeds, developed by Indianapolis-based Dow AgroSciences, would allow farmers to use the weed killer throughout the plants' lives.
Residents raise stink over transfer of landfill permit
The state’s environmental office has agreed to transfer a landfill permit to the new owner of a Madison County property at the center of a decades-long dispute.
Business veteran to direct Indiana agriculture agency
Ted McKinney, who grew up on a family farm in Tipton County, will replace Gina Sheets, who’s leaving after a year on the job to do mission work in Liberia.
Green BEAN to grow in Louisville after competitor closes
The Indianapolis-based produce and groceries distributor has acquired a list of hundreds of customers and vendors in the area who are losing their current service.
IDEM: Buy real Christmas trees to support farmers
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is urging Hoosiers to help farmers, the environment and the economy by buying Indiana-grown Christmas trees this year instead of artificial ones.
Nation’s green-power push has secret, dirty costs
The consequences from the ethanol era are so severe that environmentalists and many scientists have now rejected corn-based ethanol as bad environmental policy. But the Obama administration stands by it, highlighting its economic benefits to the farming industry.
Environmentalists targeting ag laws
The Hoosier Environmental Council has targeted food safety, animal rights and the environmental impact the corporate livestock industry has in Indiana.