Batus Inc. has filed an appeal to...

Batus Inc. has filed an appeal to prevent enforcement of an Oregon law that bans completion of its effort to win control of Los Angeles-based Farmers Group Inc. It is the fifth such appeal Batus has filed in the Western United States in its quest to take control of the insurance company. Batus, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., has won three cases, including one in California, and has two pending. Meanwhile, Batus has increased its tender offer for Farmers’ shares to $72 each.