Indiana farmers catching up on some planting
A weekly report says 30 percent of Indiana’s corn crop was planted as of Sunday, up from 8 percent the week before, but still off the 5-year average of 54 percent.
Agriculture/Farming
Articles
Greenfield plant transforms waste into fertilizer
Spring gardeners, lawn manicurists and nursery folk of all varieties on the hunt for cheap fertilizer this planting season need look no farther than the Greenfield's wastewater treatment facility.
Indiana’s honey bee colonies see 30-percent drop
Indiana's honey bee populations are taking a hit from a mysterious disorder that's devastating bee colonies across the nation.
Indiana farmers still far behind planting corn crop
The federal government’s weekly crop report says 8 percent of the Indiana corn crop was planted as of Sunday, well behind the 82 percent planted by the same time last year.
Ag experts advising patience for Indiana corn farmers
As of Sunday, farmers in Indiana had planted just 1 percent of the corn crop, compared with the five-year average of 30 percent by the end of April, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dow AgroSciences grows sales, earnings to new heights
Record sales for seeds and new crop protection products helped boost revenue 14 percent at Indianapolis-based Dow AgroSciences LLC in its new fiscal year.
‘Beer geeks’ hatch plan for east-side hops farm
A couple of fledgling entrepreneurs hope to tap into the increasing popularity of local microbreweries—not by starting one but by supplying them with a key flavoring ingredient integral to making beer.
Business videotaping ban clears Indiana House panel
Taking videos and photos at Indiana farms and factories without permission would be a crime under a proposal endorsed 9-3 Thursday by the House agriculture committee.
GOP strategist Matalin speaks out against ‘ag-gag’ bill
Republican pundit Mary Matalin is among several celebrities lobbying Indiana lawmakers to oppose a bill banning filming at farms and factories.
Indiana crop insurance payouts for 2012 losses top $1B
Purdue University said Tuesday that Indiana farmers received payouts for 2012 corn, soybean and wheat losses that are nearly twice as much as the previous record of $522 million in 2008.
High court seems to favor Monsanto in patent case
The U.S. Supreme Court appeared likely Tuesday to side with Monsanto Co. in its claim that an Indiana farmer violated the company's patents on soybean seeds that are resistant to its weed-killer.
High-stakes fight over soybeans at high court
The court case poses the question of an Indiana farmer’s actions violated the patent rights held by Monsanto, which developed seeds that survive when farmers spray their fields with Roundup weed-killer. The seeds dominate agriculture, including in Indiana, where more than 90 percent of soybeans are Roundup Ready.
Corn shortage idles 20 ethanol plants nationwide
Twenty of the nation’s ethanol plants have ceased production over the past year, including two in Indiana. There is growing concern about what happens if last year’s drought lingers through another corn-growing season.
Indiana officials look to boost agriculture research
The state's agriculture department under new Gov. Mike Pence is planning a push into the science behind food production by trying to build a network of university and commercial researchers for what's being called an Agriculture Innovation Corridor.
BioTown still dependent on grid eight years later
Eight years after being nicknamed Biotown USA, the town of Reynolds is as dependent on the energy grid as it ever was, and is likely to become more so.
New state agriculture chief to emphasize R&D
Gina Sheets said she's working on new ideas and keeping her eye on farm-related issues in the General Assembly.
Feds criticize Indiana education program for migrant children
Indiana never spent millions of dollars the federal government provided to help make sure the children of migrant workers get a good education, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Education.
Indiana farmers fear estate tax changes
Indiana farmers say they have a lot to lose should the nation go over the so-called fiscal cliff, a set of automatic spending cuts and tax hikes set to take effect in January unless the White House and Republicans negotiate a compromise.
Drought had little impact on Christmas tree prices
That Christmas tree you plan to go out and buy this weekend should be similar in price to last year, if not the same price.
USDA chief: Rural America becoming less relevant
Tom Vilsack, former Democratic governor of Iowa, told farm belt leaders this past week that he’s frustrated with their internecine squabbles and says they need to be more strategic in picking their political fights.