A Hancock County Soil Conservation Field day was held recently at the farms of Carl Weber, Ronald Smitherman and Jesse-Shively. Dill Field Co., Alldredge Tractor Sales, Carmichael Implement Sales and Souder Implement Co. provided equipment for farm demonstration.

As a Jersey cattle showman at the State Fair, Elton Lee Linville, 12, of Union Township, Shelby County, was awarded a gold-plated trophy and purple grand champion ribbon.

The USDA has changed the grade names for veal and calf. “Commercial” will be changed to “Standard” for vealers and slaughter calves and veal and calf carcasses. Grade names will then be Prime, Choice, Good, Standard, Utility and Cull.

A corresponding change in terminology was made in the standards for grades of slaughter cattle and beef carcasses earlier this year.

A 1953 Ferguson tractor ignited and exploded on the George Printz farm north of Greenfield, when it was being filled at a gasoline pump. The fire was prevented from spreading and caused serious damage only to the tractor; no ne was injured.

Major activities of farmers during the four days suitable for fieldwork last week including plowing, seeding of fall sown grains, limited harvesting of corn in heavily blighted areas and the starting of soybean harvest.

Estate auction, containing farm, antique and personal property of the late Fannie Addie Murfin, Pendleton, Ind. Mrs. Murfin had lived in this community since 1873 and in this home since 1894. She and her husband, William, raised seven sons and one daughter here.

The things to be sold are an accumulation from all during this period. “Murfin’s Ford” is named for this family. Members of the family have removed nothing, having agreed among themselves to bid upon such items they might want just like anyone else – James Bradley and Al Downham, Auctioneer.

Dallas Thompson of rural Knightstown exhibited the Grand Champion Female at the Indiana State Fair Open Show. The Charolais was also judged Champion Female of the Rushville District Gold Medal Show; Champion Female of Muncie District Gold Medal Show; Champion Female of the Indians State Fair Gold Medal Show; and the Reserve Grand Champion Female of the Kentucky State Fair Show.

William Glasscock is a farmer with a 100-acre farm south of Joliet, Ill., where he raises sweet corn, melons and a variety of vegetables. Mr. Glasscock observed three individuals raiding his field, putting acorn squash from his field in the truck of their car.

He ordered them to stop. They pulled away at fast speed and he fired his gun, stopping the car, whereupon he took them back to his home and called the sheriff. The sheriff arrived and arrested these garden-variety thieves, charging them with criminal trespass.

Cattlemen across the nation will see $1 per head less from the sale of their cattle beginning in October, for a mandatory beef checkoff program.

Current statewide estimate of the value of average land is $976 per acre, compared to $1,148 in 1976. Cash rent dropped 11 percent on average Indiana land.

Farmers have only a few more weeks to redeem PIC certificates they hold or lose up to 17 percent of the certificate’s value.

U.S. agricultural trade is at its lowest point in 12 years, but the steep decline appears to be at its end, according to Dennis Henderson, agricultural economist at The Ohio State University.

Campbell Seed Co. celebrates 50 years in business at the same location where founder Clurid Campbell and his son, Charles, started selling and producing seed corn.

Michigan is seeking federal disaster assistance for 73 counties whose crops withered during this summer’s drought.

Farmland for sale:  Brook, Ind., 121 acres, $2,400 per acre. – E. Paul Johnson, R.E.

Polled Hereford dispersal sale, selling more than 200 head of registered cattle, bulls, spring calving cows and bred heifers – Gerber Polled Herefords, Richmond, Ind.

Jim and Norma Trotter will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Ohio Farm Science Review this year.