The common term used for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). In March 1996, the British government announced a possible link between BSE and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, a sporadic and rare but fatal human disease that usually strikes people over 65. It occurs worldwide at an estimated annual rate of 1 case per 1,000,000 population. About 10 percent to 15 percent of CJD cases are inherited. There has been only one confirmed case of BSE in U.S. cattle, and that was found in Oregon last December in a dairy cow born in Canada. Two other animals that initially tested as

Work performed by the participant to keep the applied conservation practice functioning for the intended purpose during its life span.

Farmers don

Those operations that support cropping or pasture and hay production, such as tillage planting, mowing, harvesting, haying, or grazing.

The degree and scope of actions or activities taken by a producer which are beyond the minimum requirements.

A collection of areas defined and named the same in terms of their soil components or miscellaneous areas, or both.

A type of wetland classification.

Valuing property based on recent sales of similar property

(sometimes known as

The cash price that a willing buyer and a willing seller would agree upon, given reasonable exposure of the property to the marketplace, full information as to the potential uses of the property, and no undue compulsion to act.

(also known as allotments or poundage quotas)

Land that is partly or intermittently covered with water, usually considered as a wetland.

One or more specific actions that is not a conservation practice, but has the effect of alleviating problems or improving the treatment of the resources.

A process in which a neutral third party, the mediator, meets with the disputing parties, facilitates discussions, and works with the parties to resolve their disputes, narrow areas of disagreement, and improve communications and relationships. A mediator has no authority to render a decision or determination.

A gas created by anaerobic decomposition of organic compounds. Natural gas is composed mostly of methane. Some livestock operations now use a system called a methane digester to turn manure into electricity, which can be used on the farm.

Bird species whose life cycle includes long-distance seasonal flights for wintering, summering, or breeding purposes.

Property tax rate that is expressed in tenths of a cent per dollar of assessed valuation.

Uses of land for extraction of ores, minerals, and rock materials; a subcategory of Barren land.

The decision that the conversion of a wetland, would have minimal effect on the hydrological and biological function of the wetland.

The specific conservation treatment required to address a resource concern to a level that meets quality criteria according to Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

Crops such as fruits, vegetables and nuts that may be high in value but that are not widely grown.

The compensation for functions and values that are lost on a converted wetland through restoration, enhancement, or creation.

Land that is a mud area with less than 5 percent vegetative cover. This is a subcategory of barren land.

A type of ownership of land belonging to the local government of a town or city.

Naturally occurring toxic substances produced by fungi or molds on agricultural crops that may cause sickness in animals or humans that eat feed or food made from contaminated crops. There are between 300 and 400 known mycotoxins. More proof that