Germany's Bayer is buying St. Louis-based Monsanto, and two Canadian fertilizer-makers, Potash and Agrium, announced Monday that they'll seek to join forces, too.

The deal will create the world's largest supplier of seeds and agricultural chemicals, if it survives scrutiny by regulators. It's part of a wave of agribusiness consolidations.

Researchers at the new Indiana Corn and Soybean Innovation Center will study the growing habits of cash crops at the school's 1,400-acre research farm.

Members finalized the organization's agricultural policy positions for 2017.

Republican Eric Holcomb, Democrat John Gregg and Libertarian Rex Bell, sought to connect themselves with a rural audience.

Supporters say the TPP will open up trade between the U.S. and 11 Pacific Rim countries, plus Canada and Mexico. Critics say it will cost Hoosier jobs.

The Indiana-based co-chairs of Trump's agriculture committee represent three of the largest and most well-connected farm businesses in the state and the country.

The debate between Republican Suzanne Crouch and Democrat Christina Hale included discussions of rural broadband access, soil and water conservation funding, and attracting young talent to Indiana's farms.

As of this week, the UDSA says 53 percent of Indiana corn is in good condition, with 20 percent considered excellent -- both slightly above the 2015 national average.

Indiana farmland values have been falling since 2014, but the estimated decline this year is especially steep.