Animal Farms

The 2017 escape of the St. Louis Six brought the Gentle Barn to Missouri. Its abrupt closure left volunteers abandoned and grieving.

The flu has been found in cows for the first time, but most cattle seem to be showing only mild symptoms and recovering from the illness. Officials say the pasteurization process means milk remains safe.

Ranchers across the Midwest are battling black vultures, a federally protected bird that has a reputation for killing newborn livestock. While the birds play a major ecological role, their expanding population is becoming a big nuisance for producers.

The year's dry, hot weather forced aquaculturists to spend a lot more to keep their fish healthy and fed. For US catfish farmers, though, already suffering from competition with Asia, the drought has been an especially hard blow.

Missouri lawmakers have endorsed legislation intended to limit lawsuits against large-scale animal farms.Bills given initial approval Wednesday in the…