61.   Agriculture officials blamed a drought, but critics blamed government mismanagement and supply manipulation by unscrupulous traders.

62.   Agriculture officials have attributed the high prices to market forces triggered by a drought that hit the country early this year.

63.   Agriculture officials hope a ground force of checkered beetles coupled with aerial assaults by tiny wasps will fend off the infestation.

64.   Agriculture officials report that rivers in some parched Outback areas could soon stop flowing unless rain comes soon.

65.   Agriculture officials said at the time that the animal was destroyed after samples of its brain tissue were taken.

66.   Agriculture officials say they are preparing a plan to distribute new seeds to farmers who were forced to eat their entire stocks.

67.   Agriculture officials would not specify how many suspect cases were being checked, but said it was a large number.

68.   Agriculture ministry officials described the case as one of the worst cruelty cases its animal welfare service had investigated.

69.   Agriculture officials placed tight restrictions on the transport of animals and initially discouraged people from visiting rural areas, for fear they might spread the virus.

70.   Agriculture officials say the cost of water, often kept low by government subsidies, must rise.