12/29/06 USDA Funding & Vaccine Approved

USDA Announces Funding & Vaccine Approved. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. Yesterday Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced that more than $385 million in Forest Service revenue will be distributed to 41 states and Puerto Rico for improvements to public schools, roads and stewardship projects. Since 1908, 25 percent of Forest Service revenues, such as those from timber sales, mineral resources and grazing fees, have been returned to states in which national forest lands are located. The payments do not reflect national grassland revenues, which are calculated on a calendar year basis and will be paid to counties in March. Oregon received the highest payment of more than $149 million; California received $66 million; and Washington received $42 million. The funds have been used for schools and roads as well as to create employment opportunities to maintain current infrastructure and enhance forest ecosystems, improving land health and water quality. The Canadian Food and Inspection Agency has approved a new cattle vaccine aimed to prevent the E. coli 0157:H7 bacterium from shedding in the intestines of cattle. It's the first vaccine to be authorized by a regulator for the control of E. coli. The vaccine is being distributed to Canadian veterinarians under a Permit to Release Veterinary Biologics. The authorization does not grant a full license for the vaccine. It's the same as a "conditional license" in the United States. Now here's today's Washington Grange Report. (GRANGE REPORT) That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.