Approximately 97,000 acres of CRP in Wyoming are set to expire this year and at this time it doesn't look like there will be a general CRP sign up this year. So for those whose CRP contracts are expiring the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Wyoming is offering a special Initiative under the EQIP program to help transition that land.

Cheryl Grapes, Resource Conservationist at the state NRCS office in Casper told Northern Ag Network under this initiative, producers may receive financial assistance to install fencing, water developments, and other practices needed to utilize the expired acres for livestock grazing.  Assistance is also available to improve the acres for wildlife habitat.  The initiative includes a conservation plan for sustainable, healthy use.

While there is continous sign up for EQIP, Friday, May 15 is the deadline to sign up for consideration in this round of EQIP Energy Initiative funding. 

• The U.S. beef industry could lose $13.2 billion a year in market access overseas if a more robust livestock tracking system is not adopted according to a study released by USDA yesterday. Thats just one of several findings in the comprehensive benefit-cost analysis on the National Animal Identification System completed by Kansas State University, with assistance from Colorado State University, Michigan State University and Montana State University. USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service commissioned the study to provide comprehensive, objective economic information for producers.

• In Washington DC this week for the American Farm Bureau’s conference for state leadership committee chairs is Lillian Ostendorff of Powderville who is Montana’s chair. This week as part of the conference, Lillian had a chance to visit with Senators Baucus and Tester as well as Representative Denny Rehberg to discuss agricultureal issues such as est ...

Fire investigators have begun the work of physically examining the remains of a fire that destroyed a block of downtown Miles City on March 23rd. The state fire marshall, Miles City Fire & Rescue, the Miles City Police Department and representatives from several property and casualty insurance carriers are expected to be on the scene for the two day investigation.

Defense lawyers in the environmental crimes trial of W.R. Grace & Co. plan to call their final witness next Wednesday, and hope to hand the case over to jurors soon after. Assuming closing arguments will take a full day, the jury could begin deliberations as early as May 8th. The government alleges that Grace and four former executives conspired to hide health risks posed by asbestos in vermiculite extracted at a Libby mine the company closed in 1990.

Just a day after the 61st legislative session adjourned, Governor Brian Schweitzxer vetoed six bills yesterday, as dozens of bills are hitting his desk. Schweitzer has said he could veto more bills, and has not ruled out line item vetoes in the state's main budget.bill. He vetoed one bill during the session.

Using jet fuel created from camelina seeds developed by Sustainable Oils of Bozeman, a new study says jet fuel made with the oilseed crop could cut grenhouse gas emissions by 84%, compared with jet fuel from petroleum. The study's finding is expected to be used by the aviation industry, as it weighs a number of alternative fuels with the potential to cut costs and curb emissions.

The state of Montana is appealing tothe state supreme court, a 2008 ruling by Helena District Judge Dorothy McCarter, that says Montanans have a constitutional right to physician assisted suicide. With the ruling, Montana joined Oregon and Washington as states that allow dying patients to end their lives with a doctor's assistance if their suffering becomes too great to bear.