Dow Chemical sees weak agricultural sales continuing
Dow Chemical Co. said low commodity prices and currency fluctuations will continue to hurt sales to farmers this year, echoing the outlooks of Monsanto Co. and DuPont Co.
Energy & Environment
Articles
Senate advances compromise on farm-to-table poultry bill
Lawmakers have advanced a compromise that seems to appease both small poultry producers who are part of Indiana’s “farm-to-fork” movement and those who say they are worried about protecting public health.
Recycling industry buffeted by falling prices
With prices tumbling for scrap metal, used paper and old plastic bottles, recycling firms around Indiana are watching revenue drop. Most are working harder to find buyers that will pay a decent price for their truckloads of materials. Some are idling operations.
Battered and bruised, Indy-based oil refiner soldiers on
Calumet's stock price has fallen so far that the annual dividend yield is a whopping 28 percent—one of the highest in the country.
Dilemma for farmers: Which crop will lose least money?
A three-year plunge in prices has sent farm income to the lowest in more than a decade and left parts of the Midwest agricultural economy in recession.
Bill banning local plastic bag restrictions passes Senate
The Indiana Senate has approved a measure banning local governments from taxing or restricting the use of disposable plastic bags by retailers, including grocery stores.
Purdue: U.S. farm entrapments fall to lowest level in decade
Purdue's study shows the U.S. had 47 entrapments in grain bins and other confined spaces in 2015. That's 34 percent fewer than in 2014.
Senate panel overhauls environmental rules bill
Indiana would keep its authority to make its own environmental rules after a Senate committee passed an overhaul to a bill that would have let the federal government set all standards.
Indiana lifts most bird flu-related restrictions
The State Board of Animal Health ended testing and surveillance requirements early Monday at poultry farms near a turkey farm where the H7N8 viral strain was first found.
Fate of Indy employees still hazy in Dow, DuPont merger
Although the city will host a “global business center,” it will be months before details are known about how the combined agriculture operations will shake out. For now, the two firms are still competitors.
Utility wants to expand water, sewer service in Hancock County
A small utility cooperative’s plan aims to help spur development in unserved areas between Greenfield and Fortville.
Harding Street power plant’s move away from coal is watershed moment
Under pressure to meet stringent clean-air regulations, Indianapolis Power & Light Co. is converting the Harding Street plant to natural gas.
Ethanol ‘train wreck’ seen getting worse with record supply
Record stockpiles of ethanol are forcing some biofuels producers into the ranks of energy companies that are slowing operations in the face of $30-per-barrel crude oil.
Supreme Court puts Obama’s Clean Power Plan on hold
The surprising move is a blow to the administration and a victory for the coalition of 27 mostly Republican-led states, including Indiana, and industry opponents that call the regulations “an unprecedented power grab.”
Bill could put crimp in farm-to-table poultry trade
The bill’s sponsors say its purpose is consumer safety. Small poultry producers contend it would hamstring their ability to compete in a marketplace dominated by large producers.
Indiana preparing to lift most bird flu-related restrictions
Animal health officials monitoring the bird flu outbreak in southwestern Indiana say they will lift most restrictions in two weeks if ongoing testing finds no additional infections.
Indiana House backs bill to limit state environmental rules
The Indiana House has approved a bill that would prevent state agencies from enacting environmental rules tougher than those imposed by the federal government.
Indiana popcorn production falls after bounty years
Purdue University said federal statistics show popcorn production in the state fell by 29 percent last year.
Dow Agro sales slip 16 percent as parent firm’s merger looms
The Indianapolis-based agricultural division of Dow Chemical said Tuesday that lower demand, price pressures on herbicides and currency headwinds all hurt sales of its crop protection products.
Westfield hears landowner group’s conservation proposal
A citizen-led task force is trying to protect more than 3,000 acres in the southwest corner of Westfield from future high-density development.