For farms animals, it can make all the difference in the world. Paul Shapiro of The Humane Society of the United States' Factory Farming Campaign says reducing our dependence on factory farming practices, such as keeping pigs and chickens in cages their whole lives, might cut food supplies enough to require some modest diet changes toward more grains and vegetables. Cruelty is not necessary, as plenty of farmers realize and practice. Paul Shapiro of The Humane Society of the United States'...

With the lagoon moratorium set to expire in September, there are several proposals at the statehouse on what to do next. Carolyn Justice, a Republican, introduced legislation Tuesday that would effectively block most new lagoons, but also help swine farmers willing to experiment with other ways to treat hog waste pay for the new technology. In that time, environmentalists have tallied the ponds' damage to rivers and land, and neighbors have complained about their overpowering stench....

As he announced his resignation from the president's cabinet, he expressed surprise that terrorists hadn't attacked the nation's food supply "because it's so easy to do. And while most of us have probably given little thought to terrorism happening in rural America, scientists and law enforcement officials view America's food supply at risk. Experts worry the deliberate introduction of animal and plant diseases could disrupt the nation's food supply and wreak havoc on a $1...

For 2007, a decline in Canadian hog numbers and prospects for increased live hog exports to the United States point to lower pork exports, possibly in the neighborhood of 2-3% lower than the 2006 level. The CFIA said it has directed the necessary resources toward the tracing of cattle that may have been exposed to the same feed as the affected animal during the early part of their lives. The CFIA investigation also includes a thorough examination of the formulation, production,...

In 2005, he signed deals to export $30 million worth of agricultural products to Cuba, and Nebraska officials agreed to a similar deal a year ago, with about a third of those contracts executed since, the governor said. Dave Heineman was meeting with top Cuban trade officials Monday, putting the finishing touches on another round of contracts to export his state's food to the communist-run island. He said Nebraska officials are beginning to explore shipping medical supplies to Cuba, but...