The new venture with Syntroleum calls for a first plant to be opened next year to produce 75 million gallons of synthetic fuel each year. The companies say the fuel will produce almost no sulfur emission, will have greater combustibility and will have better thermal stability than other fuels, a plus for military use. Tyson will supply animal fats, greases, and vegetable oils that will be the basis for the fuel. The companies say the fuel is expected to be compatible with current pipelines...

A proposed ballot measure would limit to seven the number of crowing roosters people can keep in the residential agricultural and the residential conservation zones. The municipal code permits keeping five poultry, including crowing fowl such as roosters, on any lot in the residential agricultural and residential conservation zones for noncommercial purposes as long as the animals are kept at least 50 feet from any residence on an adjoining lot. City of Riverside panel recommends putting...

Environmentalists want more oversight of livestock and poultry farms, and farmers like Karnemaat want it to be more or less voluntary. Environmentalists want more oversight of livestock and poultry farms, and farmers like Karnemaat want it to be more or less voluntary. LANSING -- Most of Michigan's largest livestock and poultry farms could participate in a voluntary program instead of having to apply for environmental permits under legislation before the state Senate. Environmental groups...

Norfolk turkey producer Bernard Matthews has been forced to refinance the business by securing its future against some of the company's farms and poultry. It follows the outbreak of avian flu at the firm's farm at Holton in Suffolk in February which led to a dramatic fall in sales of the company's products. Earlier this month the company suffered fresh controversy with the secret filming of workers apparently kicking turkeys on one of the company's farms. The turkey producer, which employs...

Q You've got a tough assignment: securing the food supply as safety questions loom about pet food and feed for cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, and farm-raised fish and shrimp. The contamination was linked to wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate imported from China, and it triggered one of the largest pet food recalls ever. In mid-March, 60 million cans and pouches of pet food were found to be tainted with melamine, a chemical used in fertilizer and plastics. I think that my background...