China's mammoth and largely successful efforts at improving the lot of its billion-odd people have run into the realities of the limits posed by centralized development. In a nominally totalitarian state, such expressions of protest may appear anachronistic, but they are well within the character of today's China. Anecdotal evidence from various second-tier Chinese cities such as Shantou, Xiamen and Bobai show that protests over local issues such as enforced family planning or abrupt...

In a lot of ways this market may be closer to healthy trading, rather than just running up fast to price levels that stifle ethanol expansion, or which price us out of the export market. The question is how high do we go before exports and demand won t handle added price strength? The market has told us not yet, according to recent strong export numbers. Frankly, this market has been in caution mode, which suggests traders fear a big crop rather than fearing the loss of bushels. This...

The new permit allows the plant to slaughter 9.5 million hogs annually, up from the slightly less than 8.5 million that it now slaughters. Smithfield can't increase production until it installs equipment to reduce the amount of nitrogen in the water it discharges into the Cape Fear River. He had not seen details of the permit because he was traveling. It's allowed to discharge a maximum of 3 million gallons of water per day into the river. The state Division of Water Quality on Thursday...

DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - A record 3-1/2 year stretch of profits for hog producers appears to be coming to an end this year due to high corn costs, but a growing export market could again bolster profits in coming years, a leading agriculture economist said. DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - A record 3-1/2 year stretch of profits for hog producers appears to be coming to an end this year due to high corn costs, but a growing export market could again bolster profits in coming years, a...

At today's pump prices, that's a $12 drive east from Chicago in a Toyota Camry, $56 in a 7-miles-per-gallon Winnebago tricked out with a satellite-linked entertainment center, gourmet kitchen and bedroom suites. The formal dedication of the $8 million facility isn't until August, but already enthusiasts have begun to wander in off the highway. This summer's venture will head to Quebec, but Barbour says high gasoline and diesel prices have led some regulars to beg off for shorter getaways....