USDA awards $53 million in grants, loans to Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky is receiving a $53 million infusion of federal assistance for rural development initiatives, with much of the money going to improve electric service.

The USDA has awarded the amount in loans and grants for rural infrastructure and economic development. Gov. Steve Beshear said Thursday that the investments to the rural economy come at an opportune time.

Three of the awards were made through the USDA Rural Development’s Electric Program. It provides loans to electric utilities to upgrade, expand, maintain and replace rural electric infrastructure.

The governor’s office said Jackson Energy Cooperative Corp. has been selected for a $20 million guarantee loan.

It said Meade County Rural Electric Cooperative Corp. has been chosen for an $18.5 million guaranteed loan, while Clark Energy Cooperative, Inc. has been selected for a $14 million guaranteed loan.

Truck weight limits increased in Iowa for harvest

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Corn Growers Assoc. says the state has temporarily lifted weight limits for trucks on state roads as harvest season begins.

Gov. Chet Culver signed a proclamation lifting the weight limits on Sept. 21. The change affects weight allowable for shipping corn, soybeans, hay, straw and stover. It increases the limit without an oversize or overweight permit by 10 percent per axle. All Iowa highways are included in the new limits, except for interstates.
Dean Taylor is the president of the association and he grows corn in Prairie City. Taylor calls having the extended weight limits a “privilege.” The limit exemptions last for 60 days.

The governor also has proclaimed September as Corn Month in Iowa.

Boy, 3, killed in Thumb region farming accident

JUNIATA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A three-year-old Juniata Township boy who was riding inside a combine operated by his father has been killed at a farm in Michigan’s Thumb region after falling out and being run over.

Tuscola County Sheriff officials said Reid Crosby was leaning against the front windshield of the combine about 12:19 p.m. Friday, when it broke and caused him to fall forward. WEYI-TV and radio station WLEW said the boy was pronounced dead at the scene. Police ruled the death accidental.

No further details were released. An investigation is ongoing.

Tractor rollover kills man riding with adult daughter
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A farm tractor has rolled over on a steep hillside in East Tennessee, killing a man who was riding with his daughter.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that 62-year-old Ronald Essary of Knox County was killed in the accident about 5:43 p.m. Sept. 20. A Knox County Sheriff’s Office report shows Essary suffered a head injury and was dead at the scene.

Essary and his 35-year-old daughter, Kelly E. Jones, were riding on the tractor and both fell off when Essary lost control.

Ohio man sentenced in videotaped cow cruelty case
MARYSVILLE, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio dairy farm worker accused of beating cows while unwittingly being filmed has pleaded guilty to six counts of animal cruelty.

A court clerk said 25-five-year-old Billy Joe Gregg Jr. was sentenced Friday in Marysville on the misdemeanors to eight months in jail. That was cut to four months because of time already served. Gregg must also have no contact with animals for three years.

He was fired in May by Conklin Dairy Farms, Inc. after the group Mercy for Animals released video it said showed Gregg and others abusing cows with crowbars and pitchforks. The group released a statement Friday calling Gregg’s sentence “a slap on the wrist” and “an outrage.”

Ohio horse owner sentenced to 42 days for cruelty
PORT CLINTON, Ohio (AP) — A judge has ordered an Ohio woman to serve 42 days in jail for neglecting dozens of emaciated Arabian horses taken from her farm last winter.

Ottawa County Municipal Judge Frederick Hany sentenced Robin Vess on Friday to 90 days on each of 42 animal cruelty convictions. She’ll serve only the 42 days if she follows terms of a five-year probation. She also cannot own horses.

The Humane Society of Ottawa County took several horses in January from Vess’ farm about 25 miles southeast of Toledo. Hany said their symptoms included dehydration, malnutrition, parasite infestation and poor foot and dental care.

Vess has said someone she hired had been feeding the horses because she had severe depression. She was convicted in April after a jury trial.

Iowa specialty crops get grant money boost
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Specialty crops in Iowa will get a boost from more than $230,000 in federal funding.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship said Thursday it will award the grant money to 15 eligible groups in the state. Groups such as the Iowa Christmas Tree Growers Assoc. and the Iowa Fruit and Vegetables Growers Assoc. will receive money to work on projects that foster the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crops industry.

For example, the Mississippi Valley Growers Assoc. will get $20,000 to promote specialty crops at farmers’ markets. The money comes from the USDA; specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops.