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Critical situation for ranchersBy Holly Martin Apparently birds are more important than people. Or at least that's the opinion of the National Wildlife Federation and a judge in Washington state. Last week, a judge issued a restraining order that halted the Critical Feed Use provision on Conservation Reserve Program acres. The program was announced May 27 to provide "much needed feed and forage while maintaining conservation efforts." The NWF sought and received the restraining order after the program had already begun in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. If the National Wildlife Federation was concerned about the Critical Feed Use provision, why did they wait until after it had begun to stop it? NWF says they didn't know the program was for 2008, except the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued statements in May that explicitly stated their intentions. Perhaps they can't read. In addition, why would NWF question the nesting season dates? In a 2006 court settlement agreed upon by USDA and NWF, both groups agreed upon dates that would avoid bird nesting seasons. Maybe they forgot. Why did NWF take their case to a Seattle, Washington judge? Could it be they were looking for a friendly judge? Or could it be that NWF doesn't care what happens to ranchers? Could it be that it doesn't bother them to hit cattlemen in the pocketbook? Could it be that they would be happier if the entire ranching industry went away so that wildlife could be protected for eternity? Now, cattlemen who had signed up for the program have a lot invested. When the program was announced, they invested in fencing and water supplies. They've bought additional feed to keep the cattle around, knowing that relief was not far away. For many producers, this program was going to allow them some breathing room. No rancher would choose to graze CRP if they could avoid it. The quality of the grass does nothing but buy them some time. NWF says ranchers shouldn't be mad at them; they should be mad at USDA. Now doesn't that just sound like a young child pointing the finger at someone else? I think so. Let's hope that, when the judge hears this case, he will realize NWF has ulterior motives. No one should choose the birds over the livelihood of people. Holly Martin can be reached by phone at 1-800-452-7171 ext. 1806 or e-mail at hmartin@hpj.com. 7/21/08 Date: 7/16/08
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