From the pages of
Sublette Examiner
Volume 6, Number 40 - December 28, 2006
brought to you online by Pinedale Online

Reporter's Notes

Ag taxes

Over $48 million in state and local taxes were paid by agriculture in Wyoming based on data from the 2002 Census of Agriculture.  A recent study compiled by the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation shows the significant impact agriculture has on the state’s economy. 

“We are able to show that, in Wyoming, agriculture has paid over $48 million in state and local taxes,” Brett Moline, Wyoming Farm Bureau Director of Public and Government Affairs, said. “On average each operation is paying over $5,000 worth of taxes to run the state and local governments.”

In addition to paying $48 million in state and local taxes, production agriculture lands require fewer services for each dollar of local tax they pay than do rural residential lands.  A study conducted by the University of Wyoming, College of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics determined that rural residential lands demand $2.40 in services for each dollar of local tax revenue. However, land used in production agriculture requires only $0.69 of services for each dollar of local tax revenue.

For every dollar of local taxes paid by agriculture, 31 percent is above and beyond the cost of county services. 

“Wyoming agriculture is generating over $7 million dollars on property tax revenue that can be used to offset the costs associated with other land uses,” Moline explained.


Livestock board

Senate File 27, sponsored by the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Agriculture, Public Lands and Water Resources Interim Committee, would modify state law as it pertains to the appointment and control of the Wyoming Livestock Board director, as well as provide for the supervision and control of the deputy state veterinarian.

The legislation also includes a provision pertaining to quarantine orders. It states: “Any order or regulation made by the state veterinarian is subject to review, modification or annulment by the board at any subsequent meeting.”


Dead ducks

State and federal officials have confirmed that about 2,500 mallard ducks found dead southeast of Burley, Idaho, died of an acute fungus infection.

The official cause of death is acute aspergillosis, a respiratory tract infection caused by a fungus commonly found in soil, dead leaves, moldy grain, compost piles, or in other decaying vegetation.

The fungus can cause respiratory tract infections in birds that inhale the spores. The most likely source of the spores for these ducks is moldy grain, but no specific site has been found as the source. Although symptoms are not consistent with Avian Influenza, samples were taken and sent to US Fish and Wildlife Service laboratory in Wisconsin for testing.

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