Wyden, Merkley seek emergency grazing in drought-stricken southern Oregon

U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have asked the USDA to extend emergency grazing of cattle on federal land in drought-stricken southeastern Oregon counties. In a letter dated May 9, the Oregon Democrats wrote that this year's drought has created "disastrous conditions" for southeastern Oregon farmers and ranchers. "The situation facing these counties is dire, and requires bringing all available solutions to the table," the senators wrote.  "We ask that you expeditiously consider extending emergency grazing opportunities on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land, including land that might otherwise be incorporated in the Conservation Reserve Program," the senators wrote...more