Meetings Planned to Discuss Bovine TB
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) issued a reminder of three public meetings scheduled next week at which they will address the current status of bovine tuberculosis in Indiana and outline proposed actions the two agencies have planned for the upcoming deer hunting seasons.  The meetings will be from 7 to 9 p.m. local time. Dates and locations are:

Bovine TB 

Indiana Signs Ag Trade Agreement with Taiwan
On Friday, Indiana signed a major agricultural trade agreement with the nation of Taiwan. This multi-million dollar agreement is part of a larger purchase by Taiwan from the Midwest over the next year. "We are thrilled to welcome the Taiwan Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission to Indiana," said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. "Taiwan is an important trade partner for Indiana agriculture, and we are delighted to have this opportunity to showcase the quality of corn and soybeans produced by Indiana farmers." Every 2 years a grain buying team from Taiwan visits Indiana to sign a letter of intent that will guarantee large corn and soybean export sales.

Ag Trade Agreement with Taiwan 

Finalists Named in Indiana Young Farmer Awards
Finalists have been selected for the two statewide awards given to young farmers by Indiana Farm Bureau.  Young Farmer Achievement Award finalists are Paul Rumple, Adams County; Orville and Jessica Haney, Kosciusko County; and Joe and Angela Mann, Putnam County. Finalists for the Excellence in Agriculture Award are Mark and Denise Scarborough, LaPorte County; Jason and Erin Tower, Dubois County; and Steve and Kimmie Gauck, Decatur County.  The Young Farmer Achievement Award recognizes young farmers whose farm management techniques and commitment to their communities set a positive example for those involved in production agriculture, while the Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers who are involved in agriculture in ways other than as farm owners.
Indiana Young Farmers Finalists Named

SW Indiana Corn Yields Disappointing
While the soybean harvest is underway in the northern part of the state, corn is the focus of southern Indiana growers. Crops in Southwest Indiana are ready, but heavy rains this week have kept harvest activity to a minimum. Jon Neufelder is the Extension Educator in Posey County, "Nobody is getting too serious about harvest yet; I would say only about 10% of the corn has been cut."  Early yield reports on the corn have been a bit disappointing, "There has been a lot of 180 bpa corn; and, on some of the hills, we have seen some 160 bpa yields." Neufelder attributes the lower yield numbers to thin stands and washed out spots. Most of the early corn was planted in April when heavy rains hit this part of the state.
Disappointing Corn Yields