Good news is coming for Hoosier livestock farmers who are struggling to make ends meet after hay prices skyrocketed this fall.

Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock announced, during a speech to DePauw students Thursday night, that his office is getting ready to announce a plan to lower interest rates to banks who, in turn, will be asked to lower interest rates to farmers.

Mourdock told me he hopes this will help ease the financial burden on farmers who are paying higher prices for hay to feed their livestock.

The initiative is being called the Treasurer's Agriculture Loan Program and a big unveiling is planned for next week in Indianapolis. I'll try to write again and tell you more, when I know more.

Additionally, the staff at the BannerGraphic is putting together a story about the local hay crisis. If you are a farmer who could share some information with us, contact staff writer Josie Bode at 653-5151 ext. 22. She's the one coordinating the story.