Deere & Co. workers go on strike after rejecting contract offer
More than 10,000 Deere & Co. workers went on strike Thursday, the first major walkout at the agricultural machinery giant in more than three decades.
Agriculture/Farming
Articles
Here’s why coffee prices could be heading up
As if a cup of coffee wasn’t expensive enough, a confluence of factors is driving up farmers’ costs to grow the beans and it could begin filtering down to your local cafe before the end of the year.
AgriNovus leader appointed chairman of Indiana State Fair Commission
Mitch Frazier succeeds Brad Chambers, who took the role of Indiana secretary of commerce in August.
Surging fertilizer costs risk making food even pricier next year
A perfect storm of events—from extreme weather and plant shutdowns to new government sanctions—have hit the chemical fertilizer market this year, slamming farmers already buckling under the strain of rising costs to produce food.
Tyson, Perdue to pay $35M to settle with chicken farmers
Two of the industry’s biggest poultry companies have agreed to settle a lawsuit that accused them and several other firms of conspiring to dominate the industry and fix the prices paid to farmers who raise the chickens.
Beck’s opens world-class soybean tower in $62M expansion
The 10-story tower in northern Hamilton County is one of the largest soybean processing towers in the world, capable of processing three million bushels of soybeans annually, doubling Beck’s processing at the location.
Biden administration OKs largest boost to food assistance benefits in SNAP history
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is expected to announce Monday morning that benefit amounts for the program, formerly known as food stamps, will rise an average of 25% above pre-pandemic levels.
IBJ Podcast: Climate change could scorch and soak Indiana while reshaping key industries, Purdue center says
Indiana isn’t seeing the intense heat waves and flash-flooding that other parts of the world are experiencing this summer, but models show our winters will dwindle, our summers will have many more days above 95ºF and rainfall will continue to increase.
New U.S. rules for animal farmers expected this week
The new rule that will make it easier for farmers to sue companies they contract with over unfair, discriminatory or deceptive practices.
State Fair lands $50M to turn swine barn into multiuse facility
The pigs at the Indiana State Fair are officially getting a new place to stay after the state released $50 million to replace the almost century-old swine barn with a multiuse facility that will also be able to host large sporting events.
Indiana Grown ready to reconnect at Monumental Marketplace
After the pandemic prevented Indiana Grown from putting on its annual Monumental Marketplace in 2020, the one-day event is set return to Monument Circle on June 18. More than 75 vendors are expected to attend the event.
World’s top meat supplier says systems returning after cyberattack closes plants
Five of JBS’ largest beef plants in the United States ceased processing because of the attack, knocking out almost one-fifth of the country’s beef production capacity.
U.S. farmers finally see better outlook after two odd years
It’s hard to overstate how bizarre the past two seasons have been for farmers, who for the previous six years had repeatedly produced near-record harvests but saw little profit because prices were so low.
Indiana governor vetoes bill requiring ethanol warning label
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said he found the “additional layer of government unnecessary and confusing.”
Entrepreneur starts hydroponics container farm on vacant urban lot
DeMario Vitalis, a descendant of cotton-plantation slaves and sharecroppers, sees ironic ties between his family’s past and his farm ownership.
Zionsville glamping business finds permanent home at WonderTree Farm
Chris Jackson is teaming with former Indianapolis Colts punter Hunter Smith to open the high-end campground next month.
Purdue’s push to commercialize faculty work turns to agriculture
In addition to fueling the economy and driving revenue generating potential for the school and researchers, pushing research to the commercial realm also benefits students.
High-tech indoor farmer AppHarvest starts shipping tomatoes
AppHarvest—an indoor farming company backed by Indianapolis-based Novus Capital Corp. and celebrity Martha Stewart—thinks the agriculture sector is ripe for disruption. And now, its tomatoes are ripe for eating.
Carmel hemp firm moving to Lebanon with five-year, $6.6M expansion plan
Founded in 2018, Agrozen Life Sciences has diversified its offerings to include federally certified laboratory testing and plans to ramp up plant cultivation at its new digs.
Indy-based ag-tech firm plans to create 60 jobs by end of 2024
Founded in 2013, Advanced Agrilytics provides farmers with data and strategies on seeding rates, fertility applications and in-season crop management.