Dry streak becoming worrisome for Indiana farmers
Central Indiana is on pace for perhaps its driest July on record, with the state's eastern half already in low-level drought conditions.
Agriculture/Farming
Articles
Golf course manager suing DuPont over herbicide
R.N. Thompson, which operates several local courses, claims the company’s Imprelis herbicide caused “catastrophic tree loss.” R.N. Thompson has joined a Pennsylvania resident in filing the class-action suit.
Senators propose immediate end to ethanol credit
Two senators from ethanol-producing states proposed Thursday to immediately end a tax credit for the corn-based fuel and agreeing to support shifting some of that money to debt reduction.
Downtown garden growing more than food
Now in its second year, the Wishard Slow Food Garden grows produce for local markets, restaurants and residents alike. And from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays, consumers can sample some of the harvest as the Duos Indy Mobile Kitchen sets up shop a few steps away.
Larger-than-expected corn crop could slow food inflation
U.S. food prices may ease later this year now that farmers have planted the second-largest corn crop in nearly seven decades.
Purdue wins $5M global warming crop-research grant
Purdue University scientists have won a $5 million federal grant to help corn and soybean farmers adapt to the various climate change scenarios global warming is forecast to bring in the coming decades.
Hoosier manure to power dairy farms’ delivery trucks
Fair Oaks Farms in northwestern Indiana plans by next year to have 42 new delivery trucks running on compressed natural gas created by harnessing microorganisms to turn cows’ manure into biogas.
Mooresville farm equipment maker expanding operations
Equipment Technologies, a manufacturer of agricultural spraying equipment, plans to invest nearly $6.4 million in an expansion of its Mooresville operations, more than doubling its work force by 2015.
Massive wind farm planned north of Indianapolis
A Chicago-based wind-farm developer is planning a $175 million farm about 45 miles north of Indianapolis that will span parts of Madison, Tipton, Grant and Howard counties.
Indiana farmers far behind in planting corn crop
Indiana farmers made up a lot of ground in the past week, but experts say they are still far behind their typical planting schedule because of this spring's drenching rains.
Rain-sodden spring puts Indiana corn in jeopardy
Indiana's wettest spring in a century has put the planting of the state's corn crop so far behind schedule agricultural experts predict the delay could cost the state's farmers about $1 billion in losses.
Storms could dampen Indiana corn yields
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports only 2 percent of Indiana's corn crop had been planted by last week, compared with a five-year average of 15 percent.
Purdue receives $32 million Afghanistan farm grant
A grant of $31.9 million awarded to Purdue University may translate into a more sustainable agricultural sector for Afghanistan, according to U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar.
Scientists question claims in biotech letter
The widespread Internet posting of a letter by a retired Purdue University researcher who says he has linked genetically modified corn and soybeans to crop diseases and to abortions and infertility in livestock has raised concern among scientists that the public will believe his unsupported claim is true.
Organic-food delivery service growing its operations
Indianapolis-based Green B.E.A.N. Delivery planted a seed here four years ago, and now the organic food-shipping service is cultivating its own 60-acre farm in Sheridan.
Parks Foundation plans east-side farm for Gleaners
The Indianapolis Parks Foundation plans to use a $150,000 grant from Indiana University Health to start an organic farm on the east side of the city benefiting Gleaners Food Bank.
Growth in farmers’ markets continues into winter months
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there are about 900 winter farmers’ markets in operation—a 17-percent increase over the past two years. Two thrive locally, one downtown and one in Zionsville.
Indiana cattle firm may face involuntary bankruptcy
An Indiana firm under federal investigation for passing bad checks for cattle purchases could find itself forced into bankruptcy proceedings if a judge grants a motion filed by some of those owed money.
Ethanol’s future clouded by potential loss of tax breaks
The fortunes of Indiana’s 12 ethanol plants, and the farmers and truckers who supply the corn to make the motor fuel additive, hinge on two decisions facing Congress and federal regulators in the weeks ahead.
Indiana farmers expected to enjoy near-record income
Many Indiana farmers who had been worrying about a late summer drought are now looking forward to some extra spending money thanks to high grain prices.