Bovine TB detected in two Kentucky cows
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Two beef cattle in Kentucky have tested positive for bovine tuberculosis, and State Veterinarian Robert Stout says results are pending on a third animal.

Stout said last week that the two infected cows were in a Fleming County herd in northern Kentucky, but he said the three animals didn’t enter the food supply.

He said the disease was discovered when a cow from the farm was slaughtered in Pennsylvania and tested positive.

Stout said the rest of the herd was tested, and two other cattle were suspected of having the disease. One tested positive for the disease.

Stout said Kentucky has been classified as free of bovine tuberculosis since 1987. He said that status would likely not change if no other animals test positive in the next six months.

Bovine tuberculosis causes severe coughing, fatigue, emaciation and debilitation in cattle and results in reduced milk and meat production. Humans can catch the disease from contact with infected cattle, but that’s rare.

Groups, EPA settle farm pollution lawsuit

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will gather information about factory farms to determine whether more should be regulated as part of a settlement with environmental groups concerned about water pollution.

The EPA reached the settlement May 25 with the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and Waterkeeper Alliance. The groups filed a federal lawsuit in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans in early 2009, claiming the EPA gave too much discretion to farm operators in determining which farms needed permits to discharge waste into waterways.

Ed Hopkins, director of the Sierra Club’s Environmental Quality Program, touted the settlement as a step forward in protecting the nation’s waterways. “Gathering more information to document factory farms’ pollution will lay the groundwork for better protection of our waters,” he said.

Michael Formica, chief environmental counsel for the National Pork Producers Council, criticized the EPA for making the deal without talking to farmers. “There was no outreach to the other side,” he said. “It was a one-sided sweetheart deal.”

Formica said the settlement conflicts with multiple court decisions and if implemented, would lead to a larger concentration of livestock as pork producers grow their herds to offset the costs of manure management systems the EPA could require.

He also said while the pork industry has taken steps over the past 15 years to control runoff, other sectors of the livestock industry, such as beef and poultry, don’t have the same measures in place.

Judge upholds civil verdict in Iowa farm slaying
INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — A judge says a wrongful death verdict against a central Iowa farmer convicted of killing his neighbor will stand.

Rodney Heemstra of Milo shot his neighbor, Tom Lyon, in 2003 following a series of arguments over farmland and cattle-watering equipment. Lyon’s estate has been trying to collect damages ever since a $5.8 million judgment was made against Heemstra in 2008. Heemstra was also ordered to pay $750,000 in punitive damages, plus $250,000 in legal fees.

District Judge Paul Huscher on May 26 said Heemstra’s request to overturn the verdict had to be rejected because his lawyers failed to raise key issues during his civil trial.

Seizure may have led to Iowa boy’s death

DEWITT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Bettendorf teen who was found unconscious in a farm pond last week may have fallen into the water while having a seizure.

Jonah Cullett was found May 23 by family members, who pulled the teen from the water and performed CPR before emergency crews arrived. He was later pronounced dead at Genesis Medical Center in DeWitt. Sheriff Rick Lincoln said the 16-year-old, who was visiting relatives at the farm, may have drowned as a result of his epilepsy. Cullett had told family members he was going fishing.

The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office has tentatively identified the cause of Cullett’s death as accidental drowning.

Second Ohio teen faces adult charges in alpaca death

HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — A judge has ruled a second teenager accused in the fatal beating of a baby alpaca from an Ohio farm should be tried as an adult.

The Butler County Juvenile Court judge ruled May 24 the 17-year-old boy’s case should go to a grand jury. The boy is charged with breaking and entering, grand theft, vandalism and tampering with evidence in the death of the alpaca.

The judge earlier ruled another 17-year-old boy’s case should go to adult court. That boy is charged with breaking and entering, grand theft, complicity to vandalism and tampering with evidence. Animal cruelty charges against both boys remain in juvenile court.

The alpaca was named Masterpiece and was worth $8,000. Owner Jeff Pergram said it was affectionate and would follow and nuzzle him.