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The article reports that drug company Merck & Co. will temporarily halt sales of its growth-promoting feed additive Zilmax in the U.S. and Canada until an independent advisory board can investigate reported immobility and lameness in cattle fed Zilmax.

The article reports on how an ongoing three-year drought in cattle producing states like Kansas and Texas are impacting cattle farmers and the U.S. agricultural industries in 2013, discussing the prohibitive price of corn feed and how ranchers are handling the cattle crisis.

The article quotes Tyson Foods Inc. executive Donnie Smith on the effect of avian influenza (AI) outbreaks in China on the company's plans to expand their meat processing facilities in China, and mentions issues such as chicken sales in the U.S., grain prices, and Tyson's revenue in 2013.

The article discusses that quarterly earnings reports from meatpackers Tyson Foods Inc., Hillshire Brands Co., and Cargill Inc., scheduled to be released during the week of August 5, 2013, should provide investors with information regarding consumer response to higher meat prices.

The article discusses the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota and political activity to legalize alcohol in an effort to regulate and treat alcoholism, with comments on alcohol-related crime and the impact of poverty at the reservation on alcoholism.

Surging commodity prices also can be an early warning of future inflation because commodity markets react more rapidly to changes in the economy than prices for final goods. However, in Russia, a commodity exporter, surging commodity prices also are driving up inflation. [Extracted from the article]

The article, citing government statistics, reports that the railroad Montreal Maine & Atlantic Railway Inc (MM&A), a subsidiary of the firm Rail World Inc. had an accident rate far higher than the U.S. average from 2003-2012. The company is the owner of the freight train which derailed and exploded in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec on July 6, 2013 in an accident causing an undetermined number of deaths.

The article reports that warm weather in the Northeast and Midwest U.S. is making some trees and shrubs to bloom creating an unusual attraction in gardens and parks, raising concern that 2016 spring's flowers will be disappointing, and offer views of Mike Litterst, a National Park Service spokesman.

The article offers U.S. news briefs on topics such as the political campaigns for mayor in Chicago, Illinois, the arrests of demonstrators in Ferguson, Missouri in protests against the killing of teenager Michael Brown, and the elimination of a ban on same-sex marriage in Alaska.

The article discusses efforts by the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama to reduce volumes of methane gas generated by agriculture, notably by the dairy industry, through greater use of devices called biogas digesters that produce energy from methane from livestock.

The article surveys the outlook for various U.S. industrial sectors in 2015. Manufacturers could benefit from lower gasoline prices, but those that export will face challenges posed by a strengthened U.S. dollar. Other industries commented on include information technology, pharmaceuticals, railroads, and retailers.

The article discusses who in the U.S. benefits and who does not from declining oil prices. Consumers, airlines, and parcel-delivery companies all gain from paying lower fuel costs. Farmers could see greater demand for the fuel additive ethanol. Suppliers to the oil and gas industry such as Caterpillar Inc. may see reduced demand, as might BNSF Railway Co. and other railroads that transport shale oil.

The article reports that on May 29, 2014 chicken processor Tyson Foods Inc. made a $6.1 billion offer for packaged-meats producer Hillshire Brands Co. Previously Pilgrim's Pride Corp., a unit of Brazilian meatpacker JBS SA, had offered about $5.5 billion for Hillshire. Commentary is presented about consolidation in the food industry, which is said to be driven by several factors including tepid growth in consumer spending and greater pricing power on the part of retailers such as Kroger Co.

The article discusses a proposed merger between the banana companies Chiquita Brands International Inc. and Fyffes PLC as of March 2014, creating the world's largest banana company ChiquitaFyffes which would surpass Dole Food Co. Topics include possible antitrust and competition issues surrounding the merger, the company's expansion into Asia and the Middle East, and advances in shipping and technology that improve the lifespan of bananas.

The article reports on the recovery of Russia's currency, ruble against the dollar due to the measures by the Bank of Russia to boost the country's banks and the Finance Ministry's plan to start selling its excess foreign currency holdings.

The article reports that 43-year-old Julius Graham was arrested on October 2, 2013 after he attacked five people at the Riverside Park in New York City using scissors.

The article offers information on the New York Democratic mayoral primary election held on September 10, 2013 which featured several running politicians who were involved in sexual misconduct issues including Anthony D. Weiner, Eliot Spitzer and Mark Sanford.

The article reports on the restoration of buildings and houses in Breezy Point in New York City from the damages brought by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. It also discusses the release of updated flood maps, land-use ordinances and revamped building codes. The reconstruction of houses from the devastation is mentioned.