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News Update
Aug. 18, 2005


Anthrax Outbreak in Northern Plains

Unusually wet conditions earlier this summer followed by heat and humidity have spawned an outbreak of anthrax in the northern Great Plains states, killing hundreds of cattle and devastating area ranchers, MSNBC.com reported.

According to the news service, 300 animals in North Dakota have died from anthrax, and at least 200 head of cattle have been killed in South Dakota. North Dakota State University (NDSU) reported earlier this week that anthrax had been confirmed in 84 locations within North Dakota.

Spores of the bacteria causing anthrax, Bacillus anthracis, can live in the soil for several decades and become vegetative once soil and weather conditions become ideal.

“Now, more than ever, we need producers throughout the state to be on the lookout for this disease and to immediately report any acute illness or sudden deaths among their animals,” North Dakota State veterinarian Susan Keller stated in an NDSU publication.

Luckily, vaccines against anthrax are available, and humans are not considered at risk for the disease if they don’t come in contact with blood and tissue of an infected animal.

“Animals at risk should be vaccinated as soon as possible to allow them to develop immunity to the disease,” Keller said.

To learn more visit www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/ansci/animpest/v561w.htm.


Gas Prices Hit Record High — Again

In their sixth record-breaking day this week, gasoline prices today reached an average of $2.586 for a gallon of regular unleaded, according to CNNMoney. Retail diesel is at $2.631, up about 76¢ from last year’s price, compared to a gain of 72¢ in gas prices — a 39% hike during the past year.
For the entire article, visit www.money.cnn.com/2005/08/18/news/economy/gas_prices/index.htm.


USDA Sign-Up Deadlines Approaching

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns urged farmers and ranchers yesterday to sign up for the Crop Disaster Program (CDP), Livestock Assistance Program (LAP) and American Indian Livestock Feed Program (AILFP) in advance of the approaching deadline.

The sign-up period for LAP 2003 and 2004 ends Sept. 9, 2005. The LAP provides payments to livestock producers for grazing losses that occurred in 2003 or 2004 if the producers’ grazing lands are in counties declared primary disaster areas under Presidential or Secretarial declarations. Livestock producers in contiguous counties are not eligible. Payments to producers enrolled in LAP are expected to begin in late summer.

USDA has also made other programs available to assist farmers and ranchers, including the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and emergency loans.

Visit http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov for details on new and existing disaster assistance.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, Angus Productions Inc., associate editor

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