10/14/05 New commissioner; depreciating farm equip

Tony McDermott is the newest Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner. Governor Dirk Kempthorne named the Sagle real estate developer to represent the Panhandle as a replacement for Nancy Hadley. McDermott, a highly decorated Vietnam army veteran will serve a four year term. Senator Mike Crapo says its time that farmers have an equitable depreciation schedule for their farm equipment. That's why he's supporting legislation that will let farm equipment be depreciated over a five year period instead of carrying it on the books for seven years as is now the case. Crapo says construction equipment has a similar life span to farm machinery but can be depreciated in five years. The University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will host the annual Ag Days on October 21st and 22nd. It all starts with the North Idaho Chili Cook-off judging but before the weekend is over there will be an alumni reception, FFA, 4-H dairy and livestock judging, a beef barbeque outside the Kibbie Dome prior to the Vandals game with Fresno State. And finally, never slam on the brakes when pulling a trailer full of potato waste. When a truck driver did that in Nampa the other day water, potato pieces and skins sloshed over the cab onto the road. They used a road grader to push the 8 inches of muck off the pavement and into a nearby field where it will decompose. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott