1. Hippo Ranching in America … Almost

Strange days: Facing a meat shortage and invasive water hyacinth problems, Congress once considered hippopotamus ranching as a solution. (Wired)

2. Breaking Rice

A small group of rice growers is rejecting paddies in favor of a system that makes a ton promises about yields, chemicals and water use. (Washington Post)

3. Corn Drop, Land Bust

As corn prices drop, economists are pointing toward a slowdown in farmland prices that could turn into a bust. (Moneynews)

4. Cattle at the Back of Beyond

The hearty cattle herds of remote Alaska are under environmental fire. (Epoch Times)

5. High-Tech Plonk

What can technology do to improve the world’s finest wines? (The Economist)

Farmer suicides

6. Farmer Suicide

A grim reminder of the pitfalls of agriculture. (WFP)

7. Can Bees Smell Cancer?

A glass apparatus uses bees to screen for tumors? (Smithsonian)

8. Why Parks are Filled With Squirrels

The unusual tale of how American squirrels arrived in the city. (Gizmodo)

9. Hog Heaven

Hogs can hide well …. but not from thermal-imaging. The DeHogaflier drone is a hunter’s best friend. (The Economist)

10. Terroir science or mysticism?

Measuring for truth — scientists are skimming the surface of wine grapes for an answer. (New York Times)

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From the "10" archives

10 agriculture stories you should read today, Dec. 23

10 agriculture stories you should read today, Dec. 16

10 agriculture stories you should read today, Dec. 9

10 agriculture stories you should read today, Dec. 2