Here's a round-up of agricultural news from the past week.

The Environmental Working Group released its expanded database of federal farm-payment recipients this week. Brownfield Network reported that the EWG database is giving fresh ammo to backers of payment limits for federal farm programs. Radio Iowa had a story on U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley applauding the EWG's effort, noting that it may help the Iowa Republican finally get the limits on farm payments he has sought.

Philip Brasher reported in the Des Moines Register that the federal crop insurance program may be destined for the chopping block.

Think you can't feed dried distiller's grain to pigs? Not anymore. Several companies are experimenting with making ethanol through new processes that create a by-product which can be fed to swine and poultry, Iowa Farmer Today reports.

Japan is finally easing restrictions on U.S. beef imports, as reported on Brownfield Network.

The Sioux City Journal reported on a charitable effort to send Iowa-made beef sticks to soldiers in Iraq.

On the subject of beef, Maid-Rite finally returns to Iowa City.

The U.S. House of Representatives has the latest drafts of the new farm bill here.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting the first full-fledged study of air emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations.

How can Corn Belt farmers reduce nitrogen runoff? Nebraska Farmer has an article about a new book that can help farmers make better management decisions.