Indiana governor to survey flood damage at 2 farms

RENSSELAER, Ind. (AP) – Gov. Mike Pence plans to take a first-hand look at the effect of flooding in Indiana.

The governor’s office says Pence will meet with farmers and survey flooding Wednesday afternoon. He’s scheduled to visit Culp Farm in Rensselaer and Plank Farm in Walton.

Indiana has seen a month of rain and the state’s crops have gone from among the best in the nation to among the worst. That’s according to Purdue Extension agricultural economist Chris Hurt. The USDA says 19 percent of Indiana’s 5.7 million acres of soybeans and 21 percent of its 5.7 million acres of corn in very poor or poor condition.

Hurt estimates production could decline by $475 million in the state. But he says that can change for the better unless there’s more harmful weather.