United States Department of Agriculture

Nearly 7 million chickens and turkeys in 13 states have been killed this year due to avian influenza, prompting officials and farmers to acknowledge that, despite their best efforts, stopping the disease from infecting poultry is incredibly difficult.

Agricultural officials say this year's Indiana corn crop is expected to be among lowest quality in three decades following planting delays caused by excessive spring rainfall.

According the United States Department of Agriculture, 67 percent of Indianas corn crop was in the ground as of June 9. That compares with nearly all at this time last year.

Perdue said his agency is also focused on NAFTA negotiations and confirming his undersecretaries.