01/10/07 07 Farm Bill & Weekend Winds

07 Farm Bill & Weekend Winds Continue. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. Work on the 2007 Farm Bill continues but it appears things are starting to come together according to Valoria Loveland, Washington and National Department of Ag Director. LOVELAND: All 50 states have been working over the last 2 years to develop a 2007 Farm Bill with a policy around it. We've come to a unanimous conclusion that we've got it right and we're working now with our congressional delegations and the United Stated Department of Agriculture to move this policy forward. We've certainly updated things so that they're more reflective of world markets, trade distortions and have tried to address what we've heard in all 50 states about what their challenges are to stay on the farm profitably. Loveland says the new Farm Bill includes a permanent Disaster Fund which would allow the USDA to respond to crisis on a timelier manner. High winds raged through Eastern Washington over the weekend causing everything from toppled backyard fences to power poles and one report of hundreds of trees being torn down in the Wenatchee area. As of Tuesday afternoon power was still out in parts of North Central Washington. Wind gusts of over 130 miles an hour were reported making anything not bolted down subject to the winds. A new system is expected to move through the area with more high wind warnings being posted. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. Where I live animals must cross a busy highway to reach a major water source meaning when we have heavy snow fall or drought this stretch of road becomes a death trap for both wildlife and drivers. A few years back when traveling through Banff I remember being impressed with Elk underpasses that allowed the big animals access to game trails without crossing highways so I was thrilled to learn Arizona is now the first state to implement an electronic wildlife crossing system designed to keep both animals and drivers safe. It is being tested outside of Payson and if it is effective I am sure other states will jump on the bandwagon. Using inexpensive electric fences to guide wildlife to underpass crossings and then military grade software and infrared cameras to warn motorists through sensors that trigger warning signs, this new wildlife crosswalk system is expected to significantly reduce accidents. It is interesting to note that areas like Banff, that have installed wildlife underpasses even without driver warnings report over 80 percent reduction in animals being hit. Thanks Susan. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.