Rains leave most Indiana farmers well behind in planting
The federal government's weekly crop report for Indiana shows that just 22 percent of Indiana's corn acreage was planted by May 26.
Environment
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2019 Innovation Issue: This firm harnesses AI, big data to make farms more efficient
A Brazilian digital agriculture company that has set up its North American offices at Purdue Research Park wants to create a data-aggregation system powered by artificial intelligence.
Indiana, Michigan farmers eager to begin growing hemp
Farmers in Indiana and Michigan are preparing to start growing hemp as a legal agricultural commodity following the declassification of industrial hemp as a narcotic with the passage of the federal Farm Bill in 2018.
China’s ban on scrap imports a boon to U.S. recycling plants
U.S. paper mills are expanding capacity to take advantage of a glut of cheap scrap. Some facilities that previously exported plastic or metal to China have retooled so they can process it themselves.
IBJ Podcast: Oliver Winery makes big business of sweet wines (but that’s not all)
CEO Bill Oliver, the son of the founder, talks with host Mason King about the Bloomington winery’s beginnings and its future and explains how its distribution has grown to 27 states.
Indianapolis-based wind-farm developer loses $22.9M in first quarter
Infrastructure & Energy Alternatives Inc. chalked up the loss to several expensive acquisitions and the cost of finishing projects delayed by weather.
IDEM to hike permit fees for first time in decades
The cost of Indiana environmental permits on everything from incinerators to wastewater-treatment plants is just a fraction of what nearby states charge.
Indiana farmers’ crops being hindered by frequent rains
U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics show just 6% of this year's expected corn crop was planted as of May 12, far below the five-year average of 57%.
U.S. farmers who sell to China feel pain of Beijing’s tariffs
On Monday, President Donald Trump told reporters that a new program to relieve U.S. farmers’ pain is being devised and predicted that they will be “very happy.”
Local maker of organic oils rakes in $9.5M in venture funding
The round of financing was led by Indianapolis-based HG Ventures, which is the corporate venture arm of a major shareholder in Biosynthetic Technologies.
Mexico says tariffs will send tomato prices soaring in U.S.
Mexico’s Economy Department said Tuesday that U.S. consumers could pay 38% to 70% more for tomatoes if the U.S. Commerce Department re-imposes anti-dumping duties on Mexican imports.
Indiana among 3 finalists for USDA divisions, but proposed location unknown
Indiana’s short-listed proposal—submitted by Purdue University and state officials—was one of 136 received by the USDA last year from 35 states. Relocating the two research divisions to Indiana could bring 570 federal jobs.
International joint venture planning $29.5M plant in Rushville, up to 250 jobs
The facility would process maize straw from as many as 150,000 acres of cornfields annually into a peat moss substitute for agriculture and foam products for material science uses.
Q&A: 120WaterAudit eyes big growth after pivot
Megan Glover started 120WaterAudit in 2016 with the idea of targeting residential consumers nationwide with a water-testing kit that cost $120 every four months. But the company has pivoted to work largely with municipal water utilities and governments.
Seed company Beck’s plans $62M expansion of Hamilton County HQ
The Atlanta-based company said the expansion would double its processing capacity and add 56 jobs over the next few years.
EPA reaffirms glyphosate safe for users as court cases grow
The Environmental Protection Agency reaffirmed Tuesday that a popular weed killer is safe for people, as legal claims mount from Americans who blame the herbicide for their cancer.
Ford faces U.S. criminal investigation of emissions testing
Ford confessed in February to having taken a flawed approach to using road-load specifications to simulate how aerodynamic drag and tire friction can affect the fuel economy of its vehicles outside testing labs.
Startup showcase growing in lockstep with agbioscience sector
AgriNovus Indiana’s Ag+Bio+Science Startup Showcase is growing faster than a corn stalk in June.
In its third year, the showcase attracted a record number of attendees, sponsors and participants for its pitch contest.
Hemp-production bill approved by General Assembly
Legislation that would increase hemp production in Indiana is on the way to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his approval.
Indiana regulators reject Vectren’s plan to build $780M gas plant
The utility had wanted to build the gas-fired plant to replace aging coal-burning units, but regulators said the plan was too risky and inflexible.