Briefs

Brucellosis rules proposed

The Wyoming Livestock Board is currently accepting public comments on proposed changes to state rules regarding brucellosis in livestock. The rules are a substantial change for producers, proposing that all female cattle be vaccinated for the disease.

The proposed Chapter 2 rules require that spayed female Bovinae must have been spayed by a licensed veterinarian or a certified spay technician. Spayed females must be identified with special permanent blue eartags with the word "spayed" stamped or engraved into the metal of the eartag.

The proposed Chapter 8 rules require that all female cattle be brucellosis vaccinated. Most of the exemptions formerly provided for both female cattle and bison will no longer be allowed.

In addition, imported spayed females will be required to meet the Chapter 2 rules just mentioned.

For more information on the proposed rules, contact the Wyoming Livestock Board at 307-777-7515. Comments should be addressed to Dr. Jim Logan, Wyoming Livestock Board, 2020 Carey Avenue 4th Floor, Cheyenne, Wyo., 82002.

Wolf killed

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that because of subsequent livestock depredations, federal officials killed the male wolf that had joined up with the Green River female and her pups. This is the third mate this female has had, but each one has been killed after repeatedly preying on livestock.

FWS reported: "It seems that as soon as another male joins up with her they again started killing cattle. Cattle are mainly off the allotment now and hopefully this pack's pattern of depredations will end, at least for this year."

Green River water

The Green River Basin Advisory Group will meet in Pinedale next Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m. in Stockman's. Topics to be discussed include Wyoming's water development program, State Engineer's office activities, California's water plans, Colorado River issues, joint district water development studies and the Yampa River Basin Management Plan, and National Weather Service activities in the Green River Basin.

WG&F Commission

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will hold its next meeting on Nov. 6-7 at the Best Western Outlaw Inn in Rock Springs. The Friday morning, Nov. 7, agenda has a few items of interest to this region. At 9:45, Mike Stone will report on instream flow recommendations, a procedural approach. John Emmerich is next, scheduled to discuss the grizzly bear management plan at 10 a.m., followed by a short discussion of the sage grouse-management plan, then the talks turn to an update on the status of the black-tailed prairie dog.

Drought disaster

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman has named three Wyoming counties primary drought disaster areas, making them eligible for federal assistance, according to U.S. Senator Mike Enzi.

In an Oct. 23 letter, Veneman declared Lincoln, Sublette and Sweetwater counties primary drought disaster areas after determining there was a sufficient amount of production loss in those counties to warrant a designation.

Carbon, Fremont, Teton and Uinta counties were named contiguous natural disaster areas because they neighbor one of the primary disaster counties.

Farmers and ranchers in the primary counties will be eligible for consideration for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The declaration also designates neighboring counties as secondary disaster areas, allowing farm and ranch operators in secondary counties to apply for low-interest loans as well.

Eligibility for an FSA loan is based on the extent of loss, security available and repayment availability. Producers in these counties must apply for the loans before June 23, 2004, for losses incurred since January 2003.

Farm Bureau

The Sublette County Farm Bureau is slated to hold a work session next Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Farm Bureau office in Pinedale. The purpose of the meeting will be to work on the group's annual plan of work and budget.

Correction

Last week's Examiner article describing the Sublette County Commission meeting dealing with construction of the new Hi-Country Senior Citizens building incorrectly referred to architect Brad Waters as Brad Winters in one reference, although he was correctly named in other references. Our apologies go to Waters and Winters.