Bush spoke by telephone to Cheney, who reported from the hospital that he was feeling fine and looking forward to returning to work, the White House said. A handful of patients at Scott and White, along with their parents, filed into the playroom, curious about the animals concealed in their cages. SeaWorld animal care specialists revealed to the small crowd an African spurred tortoise, a tamandua and two lorikeets. The tamandua is known as a lesser anteater and is a native of South America. Animal care specialist Steve Smith said he enjoys giving kids an opportunity to see the anteater, called Timmy, up-close.
Prices are likely to dip by the summer, but then rebound because of tight cattle supplies.
Producers are only starting to rebuild herds that they thinned because of drought and low prices in the late 1990s. The winter has been so cold and damp that cattle are taking several months longer than usual to fatten up. In bad weather, cattle in feedlots don't eat as much and use up energy staying warm. Live cattle are selling for 82 cents a pound, up from 78 cents last month and about 68 cents in February 2000. So far, the restaurant isn't changing its menu prices, in hopes of negotiating better deals with another supplier, Figueroa said.