Farmers, ranchers just hoping for rain (Tulsa World) Next year, Oklahoma's farmers and ranchers would like to get back to basics. Forget the trade talks, slick marketing programs and lobbyists. They want rain -- and lots of it. [News Source]

Jardon: Passion for reading brings bobbleheads, six-toed cats (The Town Talk) I read a lot every day. Most days, that's a good thing, but sometimes it's just overload. Here's a peek at some of the stuff I've read and what runs through my head. [News Source]

Suggestions may interest your children in investing (Baltimore Sun) Gail MarksJarvis -- On the Money With a couple of more days left of the winter school break, and parents scrounging for ideas to keep children from bouncing off the walls, you might want to provide a lesson in investing. [News Source]

Revisiting Choices For Kids (Hartford Courant) With a couple more days left of the winter school break and parents scrounging for ideas to keep children from bouncing off the walls, you might want to provide a lesson in investing. [News Source]

The big sleep (Chicago Sun-Times) An Italian patriarch comes down with a mysterious disease. He sweats profusely, his pupils shrink to pinpoints and his daughters note in a frantic series of letters, "[W]hen he wakes up he is more tired than ever." Shortly before his 50th birthday, he dies -- but from what? Exhaustion? Madness? [News Source]

Agricultural Workers’ Strike Could Lead to Market Shortages (Israel National News) (IsraelNN.com) A planned work action by Agriculture Ministry workers could halt inspection of produce and animals coming into and going out of the country, as well as severely delay the processing of chicken and other food items that require health checks before being sold in markets. [News Source]

Australia might get clone food. Meat and milk from cloned animals could appear on Australian tables after the US made a preliminary ruling that it is safe to eat. [News Source]

Happy animals mean good meat. Animal welfare could be the key to better quality meat, according to the initial findings of a recent European programme regarding food quality and safety. [News Source]

Another look at investment options for kids (Chicago Tribune) With a couple more days left of the winter school break, and parents scrounging for ideas to keep children from bouncing off the walls, you might want to provide a lesson in investing. [News Source]

US Beef, Pork Exports Expected To End 2006 Well Above 2005 (CattleNetwork.com) KANSAS CITY (Dow Jones)--U.S. beef and pork exports will end the year well above levels accomplished in 2005, according to industry forecasts, with international pork sales up for a 16th consecutive year and at a record. [News Source]