Health officials finish euthanizing 400K birds at Indiana farms
Animal health officials responding to a bird flu outbreak in southwest Indiana say crews have finished euthanizing more than 400,000 birds at 10 affected commercial poultry farms.
Environment
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Merritt loses job as railroad exec, a role critics called conflict
As chairman of Senate Utilities Committee, Sen. James Merritt supported numerous bills favored by big utilities, the railroad’s biggest customer. Now he’s out of a job.
Officials hope rapid action contains Indiana turkey flu outbreak
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has quarantined and destroyed hundreds of thousands of turkeys and chickens in Indiana in an effort to avoid a repeat of last year’s outbreak that cost the industry $3.3 billion.
UPDATE: Bird flu outbreak contained to 10 Indiana farms
Confirmation of new bird flu cases alarmed industry officials after the rapid spread of the H5N2 virus last year led to the deaths of about 48 million turkeys and chickens, and drove egg prices higher. Indiana's poultry industry brings in about $2.5 billion a year.
Edwardsport plant foes finally reach settlement with Duke
Duke Energy’s settlement with four consumer and environmental groups likely means an end to all serious opposition to the $3.3 billion plant, one of the most expensive projects in Indiana history, which has been mired for years in controversy.
Farm boom fizzles as crop surplus expands financial strain
While many growers remain profitable, the global commodity slump is increasing pressure on a Midwest economy that was largely shielded from the worst of the financial crisis by high crop prices and land values.
Ringleader in $90M fuel scam sentenced to 20 years
A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to running a massive scheme involving biofuels and tax credits out of a small town east of Indianapolis.
Indianapolis ends curb-side Christmas tree pickup
The city of Indianapolis tried curb-side pickup of Christmas trees last season, but it's going back to asking residents to resume dropping trees off at city parks.
Indiana firm trades in frankincense, myrrh
Northwest Indiana Trading Co., based in LaPorte County, provides exotic resins and other substances to religious practitioners across the globe.
Climate pact means emissions need to drop below zero
The strict standards of the Dec. 12 Paris agreement leave some observers wondering whether politicians understand the implications of the goals they signed up for.
Expert predicts drop in Indiana farmland values
A Purdue economist says values will drop 5 to 12 percent in 2016 after nearly tripling from 2003 to 2014.
State awards $135K in federal funds for tree programs
Recipients for tree inventory and analysis included Elkhart, $20,000; Kendallville, $17,425; West Lafayette, $18,562; and Pendleton, $11,575.
Dow’s merger plans with DuPont might hit antitrust roadblock
The proposed merger of Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. would create the world’s largest agricultural-products company. But that’s bad news for farmers, according to some farm groups and antitrust experts.
Purdue ag, research foundation create $2M crop startup fund
Purdue University has created a $2 million fund that will help launch startup companies working to commercialize crop-boosting innovations developed by Purdue researchers.
Boost of biofuel levels pleases neither refiners nor growers
The EPA’s rule could revive a congressional debate over the Renewable Fuel Standard and spill over into the presidential campaign, as candidates stump in Iowa and other corn-belt states.
Farm Bureau gets first new leader in 14 years
Vanderburgh County farmer Randy Kron was elected president Tuesday during the state convention of Indiana's largest farm organization.
EPA intends tougher downwind air-pollution rule in 23 states
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed tougher new limits on Tuesday on smokestack emissions from nearly two dozen states—including Indiana—that burden downwind areas with air pollution from power plants.
Egg farms scramble to meet cage-free demand
It’s one of the largest-scale examples of agribusiness adapting to consumers’ growing sensitivities and anxieties over how their food is treated.
Outgoing Mayor Ballard’s new mission: energy security
Ballard is trying to spark a national conversation about how America’s dependence on oil is killing our troops—and how we can fix it.
Groups push Pence to work on state energy plan as court considers EPA rule
There is a growing sentiment here among key energy leaders—even from those who oppose the EPA plan—that the state should develop its own compliance plan that focuses on realistic strategies to decrease carbon emissions and diversify its energy mix.