U.S. farm exports poised for big year

TAMPA, Fla. » Federal officials are expecting a record year for U.S. agriculture exports. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says farm and food products are expected to reach a record $135.5 billion in fiscal year 2011, which ends in September.

SPOTLIGHT

Oil reaches 29-month high

NEW YORK » Oil prices rose past $104 a barrel to end the week at a 29-month high, as fighting in Libya intensified.

Benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude for April delivery gained $2.51 to settle at $104.42 per barrel in New York, the highest level since Sept. 26, 2008.

A gallon of regular gasoline gained another 4.4 cents overnight to a new national average of $3.471, according to AAA. In Hawaii the average price was $3.836.