By ERIN KELLY, Gannett Washington BureauWASHINGTON - Vermont dairyfarmers would get new insurance protections against falling milk prices in a sweeping $500 billion farm bill approved Thursday by the Senate.Programs to conserve Vermont forests and encourage organic farming and environmentally friendly practices also would get a boost in the bipartisan bill.The legislation, which passed the Senate by a vote of 64-35, faces an uncertain future in the House. The House is expected to take it up after the July Fourth recess.

Martha Hall Findlay, the former Liberal member of Parliament, has done the cause of clear thinking a favour by challenging one of the sacred cows of Canadian politics: the protectionist system that keeps the price of milk, eggs and poultry in this country much higher than it needs to be.

Supreme Court ruling on controversial Arizona law underscores need for uniform federal solution to resolve immigration troubles.

Slowdown in milk output, strong cheese market boost dairy price outlook.

Year-to-date, nearly 1.3 million cows have been sent to slaughter in Federally inspected plants in 2012.

The Alpena County farm is quarantined, and no cattle may enter or leave the premises until testing clears the cattle and farm of the disease.