Drought deals blow to ethanol industry
Indiana’s 13 plants distilling the automotive fuel ethanol could soon be sputtering as drought dries up the supply and boosts the price of corn, their main ingredient.
Agriculture/Farming
Articles
Purdue: Food price increases likely after long drought
The persistent hot, dry weather has hit farm production in Indiana, the nation's fifth-largest producer of corn, harder than any other major corn and soybean producing state.
Drought could have mixed impact for Indiana farmers
Agriculture experts say some Indiana farmers are already facing big crop losses because of this summer's drought.
Drought sets records for Indianapolis, Evansville
Last month was the driest June on record for Indianapolis and Evansville, the National Weather Service says. Weather service figures show both cities received less than half as much rain as their previous records.
Heat wave wilting corn supplies, boosting prices
Corn supplies in the United States, the world’s biggest exporter, are declining at the fastest pace since 1996 just as a Midwest heat wave damages the world’s largest harvest for a third consecutive year.
Indiana drought worsening after scant rainfall
The Thursday morning update of the federal government's U.S. Drought Monitor map shows that about 90 percent of Indiana is abnormally dry and that nearly 40 percent of the state is now in the midst of a moderate drought.
Indianapolis fighting spread of ash borer in parks
Crews are treating ash trees in Indianapolis' city parks to combat the spread of the tree-killing emerald ash borer.
Purdue Extension starts food-hub discussion in central Indiana
Spawned at least in part by the “eat local” and organic-food movements, the regional facilities provide one-stop shops for consumers and farmers alike.
15 percent of Indiana listed in moderate drought
Abnormally dry conditions cover half of Indiana, with 15 percent of the state officially in a moderate drought, and weather experts don't believe the rain that's expected the next few days will bring significant relief.
Indiana’s corn crop faces stress from heat, drought
An agricultural expert says Indiana's recent hot, dry weather is likely taking a toll on the state's young corn crop.
New Dow, Monsanto crop needs study, vegetable growers say
A coalition of vegetable growers, including one from Indiana that contains Red Gold Inc., wants U.S. regulators to study the potential damage facing their fields from a new generation of herbicide-tolerant crops.
Indiana farmers tempted to plant early by warm spring
Many farmers across Indiana have been weighing whether to take advantage of this spring's warm weather and plant their crops earlier than usual. Doing so, however, would put them at risk.
Lower crop reserves raising food costs in election year
U.S. corn stockpiles are poised to be the smallest in 16 years by August and soybean reserves will be lower than the government expected, potentially accelerating food-price inflation in an election year.
EPA moves closer to approval of 15-percent ethanol gas
The federal government announced Monday it has taken a step toward wide distribution of fuel containing 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent ethanol by allowing manufacturers to register as suppliers.
Indiana fruit growers hope cold stays away after heat
Indiana fruit growers whose trees were lured into blooming weeks ahead of normal by a March heat wave surveyed their orchards Tuesday following a night of freezing or near-freezing temperatures that threatened the trees' tender blossoms.
Corn crop could be ‘huge’ on warm weather, economist says
Corn production in the United States, the world’s biggest shipper of the grain, will be “huge” as warm weather encourages farmers to plant early to avoid the risk of late-season frost damage, economist Dennis Gartman said.
Foundations try to tap grain farmers’ wealth
The average price Indiana farmers received for a bushel of corn reached a high last August of $7.18, nearly twice as much as the prior year. That kind of windfall tends to benefit farm-equipment sales, but it could also lead to more charitable giving.
CARTER: Community enthusiasm palpable with eco causes
Indianapolis is beginning to focus on environment, livability.
Lawmakers back penalties over farm lawsuits
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-3 Wednesday in favor of the bill that would give judges discretion on whether to order the person filing a frivolous lawsuit to pay the farm’s court costs and attorney fees.
Warmer-than-usual winter could ruin state’s fruit crops
Early warm temperatures could be bad news for the state's profitable blueberry and apple crops, which bring in more than $13 million each year. It could also hurt Indiana's growing wine-grape industry.