Dairy farmers won limits on use of hormone that increases cow’s milk output–and could lower milk prices. Sugar lobby crushed effort to shrink sugar program, which costs consumers $3 billion in higher prices. Key weapon: sugar PACs gave $4 million since 1983.

New York State nixed World Pumpking Confederation plea to fund World Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Group goals: growing a 1,000-pound pumpking by year 2000, stopping farmers from giving away Halloween pumpkins.

Chemical firms hired ex-aides to Sens. Bob Dole and Lloyd Bentsen to quash “circle of poison” measure. Would have blocked exports of pesticides EPA hasn’t labeled safe. Enviros say: toxics may return to U.S. on imported veggies like squash. Also, not nice to poison foreigners. Chemical reaction: lack of EPA seal doesn’t mean pesticides are dangerous.

Importers blitzed federal agencies after FDA seized French wines with traces of alleged carcinogen, procymidone. Lobbyists, PR firm of Jimmy Carter aide Jody Powell argued: Europe says it’s safe, so should we. Results: FDA let in chic Beaujolais nouveau but not all Bordeaux or Burgundies.

National Turkey Federation fought to water down ill-fated fish safety bill. Turkey farmers warned key members of Congress: zealous oyster-inspection today, red-taped turkey coops tomorrow. NTF also hired D.C. law firm to lobby to protect poultry inspectors from budget cuts. The Soybean Factor: key turkey-feed ingredient caught in drug-war cross-fire. American Soybean Association resisted helping Bolivian farmers grow beans instead of cocaine. Said ASA head Ken Bader, “Bolivia here, Paraguay there– collectively they may be soybean competitors.” Congress said, tough.

Sweet sauce under fire in Congress. American Beekeeping Federation saved oft-mocked honey program from death. Bee line: more bees mean more pollination of flowers and fruits. Critics charged $100 million subsidy a honey pot for small group of beekeepers.

Cape Cod cranberry growers implored White House to allow berry bogs to expand into environmentally sensitive wetlands– despite Bush pledge to halt wetland loss. Argument: swamp critters love wild areas near cranberry bogs.