FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Agriculture Commissioner James Comer is asking for a special audit of his agency to restore public confidence.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture was thrust into the center of state politics last year because then-Commissioner Richie Farmer, who ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor, was accused of misspending public funds. Farmer denied the accusations.

Comer and Auditor Adam Edelen held a press conference Jan. 11 announcing plans for the audit. Comer, who took office earlier this month, said the state’s agriculture community needs to have full confidence in the agency and a special audit can ensure the integrity of its operations.

Edelen said findings from the audit will be made public as soon as it is completed. The process could take months.

ALPENA, Mich. (AP) — Michigan officials have reached their three-year goal of protecting cattle farms in areas at highest risk for bovine tuberculosis (TB), they announced last week.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said the $3.6 million project combined the efforts of cattle owners, the Alpena and other conservation districts, state and federal government agencies and Michigan State University extension. The efforts include adding fencing and using other management techniques to keep wild whitetail deer from possibly contaminating feed and water sources in northern Lower Michigan areas with bovine TB.

About 900 Michigan cattle producers have participated in the Wildlife Risk Mitigation Project since it began in 2009. Livestock producers have been able to tap $1.2 million in federal funding to help fund the improvements, while investing $400,000 of their own money.

COLFAX, Ind. (AP) — The owners and employees of a central Indiana slaughterhouse are surprised to be back in business a year after a devastating fire.

The staff of This Old Farm Meats and Processing in Colfax watched helplessly in December 2010 as a grease fire that started in the smokehouse consumed the building. Now, the Journal & Courier of Lafayette reports the business is thriving in a newly rebuilt facility. The Clinton County meat processor is one of only two plants in the state where organic meat is an option.

The plant officially reopened June 6, 2011. The Smiths used the fire as a chance to improve their building, adding additional office space, an employee lounge and a retail merchandise area. The staff of 15 has also grown to 19.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the fiscal year 2012 ranking period cutoff for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) has been extended to Jan. 27.

Interested farmers and ranchers have until then to complete the initial application form to compete for a spot in the 2012 enrollment class for the program. To sign up, producers should visit their NRCS local service center. Once the cut-off date is past, producers may continue to apply for the program, but they will not be considered for entry until the spring of 2013.

For detailed background information on CSP, visit the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition online at http://sustainableagriculture.net/blog/ 212-csp-ranking-cutoff

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky farmers are frustrated as the number of feral pigs keeps increasing and spreading throughout in the state.

Randy Kelley, who owns a 155-acre farm in Henry County, told the Lexington Herald-Leader he’s been in a discouraging battle with a herd of the beasts for at least four years. He said the animals tear up his fields.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife said Kelley’s problem is part of a disturbing trend. Although there have been pockets of feral swine in areas of the state for decades, the animals have been increasing and spreading since 2008. Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources wildlife program coordinator Steven Dobey said the pigs were documented in 37 counties in 2010, up from 23 the previous year.