“President Obama and I share a deep appreciation for rural America and its unlimited potential in the years ahead to feed a growing world population, revolutionize America’s energy, further protect our natural resources, and create more jobs here at home.

Phillips’ 78-page ruling dismissed a pair of lawsuits challenging the policy that allows the bison more movement. The challenge came from Park County residents and ranchers, including Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF), the Park County Stockgrowers Association (Stockgrowers) and Park County, hoping to keep the animals in the park.

All sales of U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) wild horses and burros will now be under stricter laws following a BLM announcement on Jan. 4. The new regulations come on the heels of an investigation into the sale of more than 1,700 horses to a Colorado livestock hauler.

According to NCDC and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists, the average temperature for the contiguous U.S. for 2012 was 55.3° F, which was 3.2° F above the 20th century average and 1° F above the previous record from 1998.

Last minute legislation passed to avert the heavily discussed fiscal cliff fallout gave some temporary relief in some areas, but has also left lots of discussion still on the table.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) finished 2012 by signing off on a massive pipeline project that will carry water from rural counties along the Nevada-Utah line to thirsty Las Vegas. The controversial 263-mile water tube will stretch from rural areas to urban Las Vegas, home to 2 million people.

According to Food Safety News, animal rights and food safety groups are petitioning FDA to immediately lower the allowed residue limits for ractopamine and to study the drug’s effects on human health and animal welfare.

The ruling by Judge Karen L. Dixon determined that the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) had exceeded its authority by requiring farmers and ranchers to obtain a permit from DFG before they irrigate their crops. The Siskiyou County Farm Bureau filed suit against DFG last year on.

District Court by Western Watersheds Project in August 2011. Represented by Mountain States Legal Foundation, PLC, ACGA and two ranchers filed as intervenors in support of USFS and asked the court to grant summary judgment on the eight decisions, which allowed grazing to continue under.

“With the final rule announced [last week], the United States now has a flexible, effective animal disease traceability system for livestock moving interstate, without undue burdens for ranchers and U.S. livestock businesses,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.