Open Range Wrap Up

Open Range Wrap Up

Susan Allen
Susan Allen

 

It’s Olympic time out west. The countdown has begun to Vancouver.  In less than 60 days an estimated 210 U.S. athletes will head north to represent the U.S. at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Soon, Lindsey Vonn, Apolo Ohno, Shaun White and the rest of Team USA will show their mojo for medals.  Good news for Bio-diesel, a crucial tax break for the industry has passed the U.S. House. The $1-per-gallon tax credit for Bio-diesel, set to expire in just a few weeks, won House approval, but it remains to be seen if the 31 billion dollar package will make it through the U.S. Senate.  The National Bio-diesel Board warns that letting the incentive die would be disastrous for an already troubled industry. It’s bad news if you’re a prairie dog or a wild pony who wants to be a mommy.  The Fish and Wildlife completed a status review of the black-tailed prairie dog and determined it doesn’t warrant protection as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.  In an effort to control wild horse herds the contraception PZP is being considered and evaluated  for mustangs.  It’s practical, not permanent and it's proven safe and effective for other species, like deer and elephants. 2009 was the worst year on record for cattle finishers.  With the largest cattle feeding losses ever recorded, the past year wasn’t easy for your friends and neighbors that are cow-calf producers.  Most found it difficult to cover even their variable costs of production.  That’s your OpenRange Wrap Up ...Remember, for those of us lucky enough to live out west, "The  west isn’t merely a place, but a place of mind," I’m Susan Allen see you Monday. 
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