Hoosier Ag Today

Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showing that Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland increased from $81 million in 2010 to $1.8 billion in 2020 prompted legislation to be introduced Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Fox News reports that a group of senators led by Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced the “Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from
The post Braun Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Stop Foreign Adversaries From Buying US Farmland appeared first on Hoosier Ag Today.

With each passing day, we’re getting closer and closer to planting season. “You know it’s a busy time,” says Jim Douglas, who farms near Waldron in Shelby County. He also serves as a director on the United Soybean Board and is currently the chair of the Executive Committee of the Indiana Soybean Alliance. Douglas says
The post Indiana Farmer Jim Douglas on Preparations Ahead of Spring Planting appeared first on Hoosier Ag Today.

As part of National Ag Week, Hoosier Ag Today is highlighting several different ag industries—including one that you may not be thinking about this time of year. “The Christmas tree season for the general public goes from November to December, but for us farmers, it’s 12 months,” says Brent Reed with the Indiana Christmas Tree
The post The Year-Round Importance of Christmas Tree Production to Indiana’s Ag Economy appeared first on Hoosier Ag Today.

Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Ag Republican John Boozman agree that farm bill funding must be robust, but they disagree over priorities. Stabenow, as expected, strongly supports SNAP funding, that she and other Democrats charge Republicans are looking to cut. “When you see proposals to cut mandatory spending, and the folks talking about
The post Stabenow, Boozman Agree on Robust Farm Bill, Not on Priorities appeared first on Hoosier Ag Today.

All this week during National Ag Week, Hoosier Ag Today is shining the spotlight on several other important ag industries across the state—including beekeeping and honey production. “Honeybees are very important to agriculture very important to our food chain,” according to John Schellenberger, President of The Beekeepers of Indiana. He’s based out of Greenville in
The post The Buzz About Indiana’s Beekeepers and Honey Production appeared first on Hoosier Ag Today.

Indiana’s food and agriculture industries and their suppliers contribute over $193.4 billion to the U.S. economy, according to a new report from National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). NASDA’s “Feeding the Economy” report also says Indiana’s ag industries account for more than 946,000 jobs, $52.2 billion in wages, $17.7 billion in taxes and
The post Indiana’s Ag Industries Contribute Over $193.4 billion to US Economy, Says NASDA Report appeared first on Hoosier Ag Today.

It’s a startling statistic. If cyber-crime was its own country, it would have the third-largest economy after the U.S. and China. That’s how lucrative it is, and agriculture is in the crosshairs of those cyber criminals. “Eating is critical to everybody,” says Special Agent Byron Franz with the Milwaukee Division of the FBI. That’s why
The post Agriculture the Second-Largest Target for Cyber Criminals appeared first on Hoosier Ag Today.

  The Indiana FFA Association named its 2023 State Star Finalists as a part of its preparation for the 94th Indiana FFA State Convention. After submitting an application, FFA members participated in a personal interview. Finalists will now undergo a site visit to determine which members will be deemed State Stars in their respective categories.
The post Indiana FFA Names State Star Finalists appeared first on Hoosier Ag Today.

The United Nations Secretary-General over the weekend announced an extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The announcement came at the last minute as the agreement was set to expire. The Initiative facilitates the safe navigation for the exports of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilizers, including ammonia, from designated Ukrainian seaports. During the first
The post UN Reaches Black Sea Grain Initiative Extension appeared first on Hoosier Ag Today.

The Biden administration’s version of the Waters of the U.S. rule went into effect Monday. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association expressed displeasure in a District Court decision to deny a preliminary injunction of the rule. NCBA President Todd Wilkinson says, “This latest WOTUS rule will place more burdens on family farms and ranches, drive up
The post Judge Halts 2023 WOTUS Rule in Two States appeared first on Hoosier Ag Today.