55 years ago
A rare chemical called gibberellic acid, which makes plants grow up to five times as fast as their normal rate, is being distributed to scientists for agriculture experiments by Eli Lilly & Co.

Taxes levied on farm real estate by state and local governments increased 6.8 percent above the previous year’s level.

Public sale: 13 registered Guernsey dairy cattle, cows have been hand-milked and all cattle are TB and Bangs tested; 86 weaned and vaccinated three-month-old pigs, spotted Poland, Hampshire and Poland mixed; 25 New Hampshire Red pullets; 220 bales mixed hay; 200 bales whet straw; 3,800 pounds alfalfa meal; and miscellaneous farm equipment – A.G. Corey and Carol Hardwick, Greenfield; Landy Phares, Auctioneer.

Hogs were stolen from three farms in Posey Township in Fayette County, Ind., last week. Six hogs were taken from the barn lot of the Kenneth Caldwell farm, where the hogs were awaiting shipment to market. The theft occurred while the Caldwells were in town. Lowell Jones, who operates the Stant farm, reported 13 hogs were stolen from his place and the Ross Cramer farm had 14 hogs stolen that he was preparing to market.

40 years ago
New trucks for sale: 1971, half-ton Fleetside, 6-cylinder, rear bumper, $2,395; 1971, half-ton Fleetside, V-8, automatic transmission, $2,850 – Allen Chevrolet, Cambridge City.

America’s famous cowboy, Roy Rogers, attended the Indiana State Fair and Spotlight Sale of Champions. 

The slaughter of a 600-pound heifer valued at $174 was reported from the Otis Bewley farm near New Point.

Fire destroyed a large barn containing some farm equipment on the Curtis Smith farm, northwest of Morristown. The loss was estimated at $14,000 for building and equipment.

25 years ago
An underground limestone quarry in Crawford County, Ind., is being considered to store more than 50 million bushels of grain this fall.

The preliminary 1986 loan and purchase rate (if the loan is forfeited) for soybeans will be $4.77 per bushel, the USDA reported.

George Wilfong, 75, was recently named Indiana Horseman of the Year at the Indiana State Fair. Wilfong raises and drives harness racing horses.
Host families for the upcoming Johnson County Farm Fest are: Eastburn Brothers hog farm; DeVore and Son, Certified Seed; G.E. Harrell family farms; Kelsay and Son Dairy; Whiteland Orchard; Pleasant Hills Farms, owned by Al Meyer and family; and Joe Vandenburg beef farms.

10 years ago

West Nile Virus has been identified in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s state veterinarian.
A shortage of milk and milk fat has ramped up milk prices paid to producers by $6 per cwt. in the past few months.

Martindell Farms of Hardyville, Ky., and Steinke Shorthorns of Rensselaer, Ind., will be selling 25 Shorthorn heifers, three Appendix Shorthorn heifers, 10 Shorthorn steers and 20 Crossbred calves at their private treaty sale in Rensselaer.

Used pickups for sale: 2000 F-350, R/C, XLT, 4x4, $23,895; 1991 F-250, R/C XLT 4x4, 7.3L diesel V-8, $12,800; 1993 F250, S/C 4x4, LXT, 7.3L diesel, low miles, $14,900; 1995 F-350, C/C XLT, 4x2, 7.3L power stroke diesel, $14,800 - Brad Howell Ford, Greentown, Ind.