Price of Indiana farmland at a premium
A once-in-a-generation combination of strong grain prices, high farm incomes and unprecedented interest in commodities investments has caused prices for agricultural acreage to skyrocket.
Agriculture/Farming
Articles
Bugs may be resistant to genetically modified corn
One of the nation's most widely planted crops — a genetically engineered corn plant that makes its own insecticide — may be losing its effectiveness because a major pest appears to be developing resistance more quickly than scientists expected.
Bad weather for some Indiana crops helped vineyards
Purdue University wine experts say lousy growing conditions this year for some Indiana crops proved ideal for the state's vineyards.
Land gift preserves 40 acres in Indianapolis suburbs
The donation to the Central Indiana Land Trust comes from farmer Van Eller, who lived most of his life on the land now surrounded by Fishers and Carmel subdivisions before he died last year at age 89.
Cost of Thanksgiving meal jumps 13 percent on food inflation
The cost of a Thanksgiving dinner in the U.S. will jump 13 percent this year, the biggest gain in two decades, as prices rose for everything from turkey to green peas to milk, the American Farm Bureau Federation said.
Farm-profit volatility boosting risk for lenders, economist says
U.S. farmers face increased financial risk because of higher operating costs and volatile commodity prices, even as income this year reaches a record, said Michael Boehlje, an economist at Purdue University.
Congress moves to create new farm subsidy
Farm-state lawmakers are moving to create a whole new subsidy that would protect farmers when their revenue drops — an unprecedented program that critics say could pay billions of dollars to farmers now enjoying record-high crop prices.
Farmers brace for spike in crop input costs
A Purdue ag economist says preliminary budgets show variable costs for rotation corn increasing by 16 percent, soybeans by 15 percent and wheat by 12 percent when compared with last January.
Farm plan may preserve crop subsidies, groups say
A bill backed by Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar would consolidate several subsidy programs into a plan to aid farmers when revenue declines.
Purdue expert sees more profits for hog farmers
Pork production for the coming year is expected to rise 2 percent to 3 percent, led by higher sow productivity and market weights and lower feed prices.
Farm subsidies may face cuts amid record profits
U.S. farmers earning record profits are fighting to maintain agricultural subsidies, a likely target of the congressional supercommittee working to reduce federal spending.
Taiwanese reps sign deals to buy corn, soybeans
Two Taiwanese trade groups have agreed to buy as much as $5 billion worth of corn and soybeans from Indiana and other states in 2012 and 2013.
Fish farming could become $1B industry in Indiana
Current estimates place annual revenue for Indiana fish farming at just a few million dollars. But some believe the state’s central location, abundant land and water supplies, and relatively benign regulatory environment could foster a $1 billion industry in the next 10 years.
Urban farm to provide produce for needy families
Gleaners Food Bank, Indiana University Health, the city of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Parks Foundation announced Wednesday they're teaming up on the project called Indy Urban Acres.
Indiana bans DuPont’s Imprelis herbicide
Officials took the action after finding that the herbicide damaged scores of trees and ornamental plants throughout the state.
Purdue economist: Indiana will see record farm income
A Purdue University agricultural economist says Indiana's 2011 farm income could approach $4 billion, eclipsing the state's previous farm income record of $3.2 billion set in 2008.
Butler center aims to make urban farming viable
Tim Carter, director of Butler University’s Center for Urban Ecology, is intent on making CUE a national leader in urban ecology by making the center’s research valuable on a broad scale.
Dig-IN tasting festival looks to create independent foundation
Event at White River State Park wants to create ongoing source of support to connect Indiana farmers with grocery stores, restaurants and consumers.
NFP of NOTE: Indiana 4-H Foundation
Indiana 4-H Foundation provides financial support for the statewide 4-H youth program.
Wet spring, dry summer dent Indiana corn, soybeans
Experts say Indiana farmers won't produce as much corn and soybeans as they had hoped for a second straight year.