Federal Reserve says Midwest farm economy weakens
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City said lower income contributed to a weaker farm economy during the third quarter in some Midwest and Western states.

The Fed’s survey of banks in the 10th district says falling crop prices and weak demand for meat contributed to lower income. As a result of the lower income, bankers reported the lowest loan repayment rates since 2003, and the number of loan extensions jumped.

The 10th Federal Reserve District in Kansas City covers Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Colorado, northern New Mexico and western Missouri. Across the district farmland values remained steady from the second quarter to the third quarter, but compared to a year ago, farmland values were down 2-4 percent.

Police: Two die in crash while fleeing southern Indiana farm
TENNYSON, Ind. (AP) — Police said two men suspected of trying to steal anhydrous ammonia from a southern Indiana farm died in a car crash as they fled.

The Warrick County Sheriff’s Department says a farmer spotted the men early Nov. 9 and followed them as they drove away. The farmer called police after finding that the car had crashed into a guardrail on a rural road near the community of Tennyson.

The coroner’s office said those killed in the crash were 31-year-old Ronald Jason Baker and 19-year-old Robert E. Waters Jr., both of Yankeetown.

Anhydrous ammonia is a fertilizer that is often stolen for use in the production of methamphetamine.

Three Iowa teens face arson charges
EMMETSBURG, Iowa (AP) — Three northwestern Iowa teenagers face arson charges in a series of fires at abandoned farms in the last two years.

The Palo Alto County sheriff’s office said the teens, all from Emmetsburg, are suspected of starting 13 fires dating back to July 2007. The most recent fire was last July.

The fires caused an estimated $25,000 in damage to old farmhouses and other buildings, vehicles and machinery. The teens were arrested on Nov. 9 on charges that include second-degree arson and fifth-degree theft.

Fire destroys grain dryer in northwestern Iowa
HINTON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities said burning corn destroyed a grain dryer in Hinton in northwestern Iowa.

The fire broke out the afternoon of Nov. 11 in one of two dryers at the Hinton Co-Op. Hinton Fire Chief Chad Beck said corn in the dryer was burning, but they don’t know why yet. Crews used an aerial truck to fight the fire, which was in the upper third of the dryer. Firefighters had it under control in about an hour.
No injuries were reported, and no other buildings were damaged.

Iowa farmer, 79, dies in trench accident
JOICE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities said a northern Iowa farmer died after he was buried in a trench in a farm field near Joice.
The Worth County sheriff’s office said the 79-year-old man was repairing a drainage tile Nov. 7. A trench he had dug with a backhoe collapsed, burying him under the dirt.

Officials said emergency crews were called around 8:40 p.m. when the man’s wife couldn’t reach him, and she called a neighbor, who called 911. Emergency crews found the backhoe, which was still running. The trench, which was about seven feet deep, had collapsed.

According to the Radio Iowa website on Nov. 9, Arden Bergan of Hanlontown was identified as the victim, according to the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills, but Worth County authorities had not verified this, stating that relatives were still being notified. The Mittelstadt website does list Bergan, 79, in its obituaries.

Wisconsin man’s big buck could set world record
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man said he has his fingers crossed and he’s saying his prayers as he waits to find out if the buck he shot earlier this month is a world record.

Michael Gregoire of Sheboygan Falls took the deer with a bow and arrow Nov. 5 on his brother’s farm just west of Sheboygan Falls. The 12-point buck weighed 240 pounds and the rack has been unofficially scored at 217-5/8 inches. A 60-day drying period must first pass before an official score is granted.

The Boone and Crocket Club website says the world record for a typical whitetail rack is 213-5/8 inches, shot with a rifle in Canada in 1993. The state record is 206-1/8 inches.

Now, all Gregoire can do is wait for the drying period to elapse and for three licensed, random scorers to render their verdict.