Agriculture

Cleaner tractors get cool reception from farmers
Farm equipment manufacturers are rolling out cleaner tractors to meet stricter new federal air regulations, but many in the industry say the challenge will be getting farmers to put the high-priced models into fields during hard economic times.
US bison ranchers struggle to meet consumer demand
The deep snow blanketing the Midwest prairie didn't bother the bison on Ed Eichten's ranch one bit. The hardy animals evolved to survive - even thrive - year-round on the open range, and with their big heads, they can plow right through drifts 5-feet tall or more.
The state's Department of Agriculture will be in new hands for the first time in 15 years. Gov.-elect Mark Dayton has named former state Senator David Frederickson as the next agriculture commissioner.
Ethanol supporters in the Dakotas are praising tax cuts passed last week in Washington for extending alternative fuel incentives.
The Justice Department is pursuing several leads on possible anti-competition cases in agribusiness after a series of hearings on the issue, according to Christine Varney, the head of the agency's antitrust division.
This ruling is the second setback for users of herbicide resistant sugar beets. Earlier this year the same federal judge ruled the U.S. Agriculture Department approved use of the Roundup Ready beets without proper environmental review.