Farm loan delinquencies highest in nine years as prices slump
The nation's farmers are struggling to pay back loans after years of low crop prices and a backlash from foreign buyers over President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Agriculture/Farming
Articles
Indiana House panel shoots down bill to tighten oversight of huge farms
The panel voted 9-3 to defeat a bill that would have given the Indiana Department of Environmental Management more authority to deny permits to huge farms known as “confined feeding operations.”
Small wineries want chance to self-distribute products
The number of wine wholesalers in Indiana has dwindled from hundreds to a couple of dozen. That has raised concerns for small wineries that might not produce enough wine to attract a major distributor.
Indiana’s neighbor preparing for growth spurt in hemp production
Hemp became a legitimate agricultural crop late last year when a provision in the federal farm bill removed the plant from the list of federally controlled substances. Kentucky is poised to take advantage of the legal change.
Farmers risk loss of federal payments, loans, from shutdown
Direct payments for farmers who haven't certified production, as well as farm loans and disaster assistance programs, won't start up again until the government reopens.
FDA casts shadow on hemp law, calling CBD products illegal
The hemp industry still has work ahead to win legal status for hemp-derived cannabidiol, or CBD oil, as an ingredient in food or dietary supplements despite the big farm bill signed this week designating hemp as an agricultural crop.
U.S. farmers see China’s return to soybean market as ‘drop in the bucket’
China’s return to the U.S. soybean market this week comes too little, too late for many farming families to put more Christmas presents under the tree this year.
Congress approves $400 billion for farmers, forests, poor
After months of debate and negotiation, Congress voted final approval Wednesday to a massive farm bill that will provide more than $400 billion for agriculture subsidies, conservation programs and food aid.
Christmas tree farmers combat popularity of artificial trees
Between 75 percent and 80 percent of Americans who have a Christmas tree now have an artificial one, and the $1 billion market for fake trees is growing at about 4 percent a year.
U.S. farms taking wait-and-see stance on Trump’s trade truce
U.S. farmers are pleased that Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a trade truce, but they’re not rejoicing just yet.
California ag-tech accelerator laying down roots in fertile Midwest
Agricultural and ag-technology firms in Indiana and throughout the Midwest are about to get a major shot of fertilizer from a California accelerator with blue-chip partners that plans to expand here.
Brazilian ag-tech firm picks Indiana for U.S. HQ, plans 334 jobs
Solinftec said Thursday it would invest $50.6 million to establish operations in the Hoosier state. The company makes technology that helps farmers collect and analyze data to increase crop returns.
Fed report shows farm income on the decline
The Fed says the third-quarter report released this week was the 19th straight survey in which most bankers indicated that farm income was on the decline.
Indiana becomes epicenter of campaign battles over Trump trade policies
Tariffs are weighing heavily on the tossup U.S. Senate contest between Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly and Republican Mike Braun.
McCordsville winery to close tasting room, discontinue public events
A McCordsville winery is closing its tasting room and calling off public events amid an ongoing battle with the town over a noise ordinance.
Trump briefly campaigns for two of Indiana’s congressmen at FFA convention
During his remarks at the National FFA Convention and Expo at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday, President Donald Trump talked about the Pittsburgh shooting and trade deals, and brought two Indiana congressmen on stage.
Biofuels producer to build $160M plant in Shelbyville
South Dakota-based Poet made the announcement Friday in conjunction with President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Indianapolis on Saturday to give a speech during the annual FFA convention. In his appearance, Trump is expected to talk about the administration’s effort to help farmers by being more ethanol-friendly.
Microsoft, AgriNovus Indiana put agtech center stage at FFA convention
The highly interactive and sophisticated Blue Room at this year’s National FFA Convention & Expo knocked the socks off thousands of students at the Indiana Convention Center. The initiative to highlight the advances in agricultural technology will continue year-round online.
State’s largest hops grower finds crop is labor intensive but rewarding
Crazy Horse Hops started with five acres of hops and has expanded steadily since. It’s also putting the finishing touches on a warehouse and processing facility.
In boon for farmers, Trump lifting restrictions on ethanol
A senior administration official said Monday that the EPA will publish a rule in coming days to allow high-ethanol blends as part of a package of proposed changes to the ethanol mandate.