InBev to buy Anheuser-Busch for $52 billion
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (AP) — Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Budweiser and Bud Light, has agreed to a takeover by a giant Belgian brewer, a union that creates a global beer leader and brings to an end one of the most iconic names in American business.

The board of directors of Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. on Sunday accepted a sweetened $52 billion takeover offer from Belgian brewer InBev SA, according to a joint press release.

Senators push to block Argentine livestock imports
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — A bipartisan group of senators hopes to block importation of livestock from Argentina until it’s clear the nation is free of foot-and-mouth disease.

South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson, a Democrat, and Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi, a Republican, introduced legislation July 10 to prevent livestock importation from Argentina until the USDA can certify that it’s safe. The region has seen outbreaks of the highly contagious disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle and pigs.
It is a viral illness that can be spread through even minimal contact with infected animals, farm equipment or meat. It can be fatal to animals, but does not harm humans.

Johnson and Enzi said they introduced the bill after hearing from concerned farmers and ranchers about the safety of their livestock. Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colorado), along with senators from Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico and Missouri, cosponsored the legislation.

“Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious and destructive disease, and we cannot risk the health of our livestock herds for questionable imports from Argentina,” said Johnson.

The USDA proposed last year to expand beef imports from one region of Argentina. The United States has been free of the disease since 1929.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-S.D.) said she and Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.) plan to introduce a similar bill in the House this week.

Monsanto patent fight ensnares Missouri farm town
PILOT GROVE, Mo. (AP) — Soybean farmer David Brumback calls himself a loyal customer of Monsanto Co. His product of choice: Genetically engineered seeds resistant to pesticides and weed killers.

So when the biotech giant named Brumback and more than 100 other local farmers in a subpoena seeking five years of sales records, his first reaction was befuddlement. Then anger.
“With Monsanto, you’re guilty until you’re proven innocent,” he said.

Across rural America, Monsanto is known for aggressive legal efforts to protect its patent. Farmers who save and replant the patented seeds in subsequent growing seasons quickly hear from the company’s lawyers – and almost always lose, or settle out of court before trial.

Now Monsanto is raising the stakes against this so-called seed piracy with an unprecedented lawsuit against a farm co-op it accuses of aiding the illegal practice by cleaning seeds for use in future crops. That practice violates the contract between Monsanto and farmers, which prohibits farmers from stockpiling seeds or selling second-generation seeds.

The St. Louis-based company says it’s merely protecting an investment that exceeds $2 million a day in overall research and development costs.

Girl, 2, dies in farm accident in Riceville

RICEVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a two-year-old girl died after she was run over by a skid loader operated by her father at the family’s farm near Riceville in northern Iowa.

The Howard County sheriff’s office says Martina Fox died on July 9. Deputies were called to the Nathan and Ruth Ann Fox farm around 1 p.m. Authorities say the skid loader was operated by Nathan Fox.

Rural Bellevue man dies in ATV accident

BELLEVUE, Iowa (AP) — A rural Bellevue man has died in an all-terrain vehicle accident.

The Jackson County sheriff’s office said 67-year-old Thomas Sieverding was found dead in a farm field he owns on July 9. Deputies were called out on a report of an ATV accident. Sieverding was pronounced dead at the scene.