Cow tax would stink in Wyoming

Posted 12/9/08

Farmers and ranchers nationwide are fuming over the possibility of the federal government taxing methane-emitting livestock.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to levy new taxes on cows and pigs that emit air-polluting gases, …

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Cow tax would stink in Wyoming

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Farmers and ranchers nationwide are fuming over the possibility of the federal government taxing methane-emitting livestock.The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to levy new taxes on cows and pigs that emit air-polluting gases, according to Rick Krause with the American Farm Bureau. Krause spoke in Sheridan last month on the issue, calling it “no laughing matter.”According to the Wyoming Farm Bureau, a cow tax could amount to annual fees of $175 per dairy cow, $87.50 per beef cow and around $20 per pig.If such a tax actually transpires, local farmers and ranchers have every reason to be upset.Fortunately, it looks like the EPA is not planning to propose a cow tax.That's good news for local farmers and ranchers.EPA officials said Friday the proposal does not include a livestock tax, according to the Associated Press. They said the report had been oversimplified, even distorted.Instead of taxing hardworking cattle growers, agencies concerned about methane-producing livestock should propose ways to use cattle as a source for alternative energy.In the past couple of years, some U.S. farms have begun running generators powered by methane gas extracted from cow manure.It would be more productive to use methane to generate energy rather draining farmers' and ranchers' bank accounts with ridiculous taxes.

Farmers and ranchers nationwide are fuming over the possibility of the federal government taxing methane-emitting livestock.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to levy new taxes on cows and pigs that emit air-polluting gases, according to Rick Krause with the American Farm Bureau. Krause spoke in Sheridan last month on the issue, calling it “no laughing matter.”

According to the Wyoming Farm Bureau, a cow tax could amount to annual fees of $175 per dairy cow, $87.50 per beef cow and around $20 per pig.

If such a tax actually transpires, local farmers and ranchers have every reason to be upset.

Fortunately, it looks like the EPA is not planning to propose a cow tax.

That's good news for local farmers and ranchers.

EPA officials said Friday the proposal does not include a livestock tax, according to the Associated Press. They said the report had been oversimplified, even distorted.

Instead of taxing hardworking cattle growers, agencies concerned about methane-producing livestock should propose ways to use cattle as a source for alternative energy.

In the past couple of years, some U.S. farms have begun running generators powered by methane gas extracted from cow manure.

It would be more productive to use methane to generate energy rather draining farmers' and ranchers' bank accounts with ridiculous taxes.

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