Gov. Eric J. Holcomb convened leaders from the state’s agriculture sectors on Thursday to receive an update on unprecedented weather conditions that have impacted farms and other agriculture businesses statewide. As of last week, only 84 percent of Indiana’s corn crop and 64 percent of soybeans have been planted, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). That is an increase from the start of month, but both crops are usually at 100 percent planted for this time of year.
Representatives from Indiana Corn & Soybean, the Indiana Farm Service Agency, Agribusiness Council of Indiana, Indiana Pork, Purdue College of Agriculture and others joined Gov. Holcomb for the meeting.
The Governor is working with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director and his staff, and the Indiana Farm Service Agency, to pursue options for agriculture assistance for Indiana farmers.
The Farm Service Agency needs an accurate account of the fields impacted by the storms in Indiana to determine if a request can be made to USDA. Farmers are encouraged to contact their local Farm Service Agency office and report their planted acres as soon as possible but no later than July 15.