South Dakota senators tour drought areas. The federal government must be convinced to provide direct emergency payments to farmers and ranchers who are struggling with drought, U.S. Senators Tim Johnson and John Thune said Wednesday. [News Source]

State takes measures to protect food sources. North Carolina, the nation's second-largest producer of turkeys, has strengthened protection of its $68 billion agriculture industry in the face of bird flu and other threats. [News Source]

700 animals die in anthrax outbreak. An outbreak of anthrax has killed hundreds of farm animals in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. [News Source]

Where’s the beef? U.S. beef went on sale in Japan on Wednesday for the first time since authorities lifted a ban imposed in January related to mad cow disease. [News Source]

Lab closer to leading biodefense. Lawrence Livermore Laboratory has made the first cut for a new Homeland Security biological and agricultural defense facility. [News Source]