1965: 50 years ago

A fire of undetermined origin leveled a barn on the J. Richard Marshall farm at Morristown. He lost eight heifers valued at $960 and six bred gilts valued at $360. In addition to the livestock, 100 bushels of seed soybeans were lost. No farm equipment was stored in the barn.

Used trucks for sale: 1964 Ford, 2-ton, F600, HO, bed, red, $2,995; 1961 Chevrolet, 1/2-ton, yellow, $995; 1962 Chevrolet, 1-ton, dual bed, white, $1,795; 1961 Ford F350, 1/2-ton pickup, red, $1,095 – Inskeep Ford Sales, Greenfield, Ind.

Indiana’s farms are decreasing in number by 2 percent, an estimated 119,000 farms this year representing 18.9 million acres. The average size of a farm has increased to 159 acres. A decade ago the average farm was 131 acres. This is according to statisticians at Purdue University.

1975: 40 years ago

Frequent rains have hindered fieldwork, with more than 5 inches of rain in some places in the south causing considerable flooding. The northern region averaged 1.9 inches of rain. Corn planting is 5 percent complete.

For sale: 6-stall portable farrowing house, $450 – L.R. Orme, Arlington, Ind.

Real estate for sale: 138 acres, approximately 50 acres tillable, 30 acres in pasture, one woodland 20 acres of large trees, two additional woodlands; no buildings, in the $400 per-acre range, 15 miles east of Rushville, Ind.

1990: 25 years ago

Boswell Livestock Comm. Co. sale results: Sheep: three ewes and four lambs at $68; 10 lambs, average 78 at $64; 6 ewes, average 154 at $17.50; buck 220 at $13.50; two bucks, average 262 at $14; 10 ewes, average 141 at $17.25.

Outstanding scholars from Purdue University’s School of Agriculture were honored recently: Scott Stump, LaGrange, outstanding senior; Richard Halderman, Wabash, outstanding junior; Nikki Overpeck, Clinton, outstanding sophomore; and Todd Ripberger, Tipton, outstanding freshman.

Real estate for sale: 18 acres with a farmhouse, pond and creeks, this lovely orchard is resting on one of the highest points in Hamilton County, Ohio. Apple trees are in top condition, peak production and prime location, $157,900 – Coldwell Banker.

2005: 10 years ago

Troyer Growers Supply Ag Chemical Sales, Waterloo, Ind. – glyphosate bulk on 30s, $12.50-$13.75 per gallon; Trizmet II (atrazine and metolachlor), $24.50 per gallon; chlorpyrifos 15 g., $1.07#; atrazine 4L, $8.25; Force $3.60#; Aztec 200#; Metri DF (Sencor), $13.25#; Arrow (Select) $140.85 g.; Bumper (Tilt) $269 g.; Echo DF $5.20#.

Dillman Enterprises, Peru, Ind. – GMC single-axle, V-8 gas 366, auto, 5th wh., 146,000, $3,800; 1971 IH 1600 tractor, restored V-8, $2,800; one owner 544 gas, with 2250 quick attach IH ldr, 3-pt., 3,200 hours, $9,500; A.C. D-15 Series II, one owner, factory 3pt., $4,300.

Chris Novak, who serves as executive director for both the Indiana Soybean Board and the Indiana Soybean Growers Assoc, said the 3-5 year plan includes a merger of the ISB and the ISGA into one organization.