The dairy industry has grown rapidly in the past two years. According to the Indian Department of Commerce, two years ago a 200-head dairy herd was considered to be large. Since then, two new 10,000-head herds have been located in northwestern Indiana, with several herds of approximately 3,000 dairy cows in the northeastern part of the state. A number of production factors including federal milk-marketing regulations have combined to make the dairy industry profitable. At the same time, changing policies in the Netherlands have encouraged operations to close down there and relocate to Indiana.
Wine production is also on the increase.
Although it takes seven years to establish grape production, the state s Small Winery Law of 1971, which allows direct sales to the public, and the Wine Grape Market Development Program established in 1989 are now bearing fruit. Indiana is currently home to 21 wineries, and several others are in the developmental stage. Soil and climate along the Ohio River and in several other areas of the state are ideal for grape production. Purdue University s Food Science Department has a pilot lab where manufacturers can evaluate operations before production. Indiana is also a pharmaceutical center, with Eli Lilly operating in locations in Indianapolis, Greenfield, Lafayette, and Clinton.