09-14-11 *CSU – Morgan County Extension* HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY GARDEN WATERMELON IS READY TO HARVEST?

Submitted by: Joanne Jones, Horticulture Extension Agent

Choosing a ripe watermelon is sometimes a challenge.  Every year I plant watermelon in my garden and every year it is a guessing game to know if the fruit is ready to harvest.  I use all the usual indicators.  I look to see that the melon is heavy for its size, a ripe watermelon is made up of mostly water; I look at the ground spot to see if the spot is yellow and no longer white or green; I knock on the melon to see if it sounds hollow (if the sound is too shallow, the melon is probably still ripening; however, this is very subjective and difficult to hear for some); I gently scratch the watermelon with my fingernail, a ripe melon should have a hard rind and will be resistant to scratching ; I even keep track of the variety of melon I planted and count the days from germination to harvest, yet, too many times I pick the melon before it is ready to eat, wasting that melon.

09-14-11 Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Members Honor Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for his Leadership

Members of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union present Interior Secretary Ken Salazar (at center, blue shirt) with Manassa Pioneer Days banner.

As part of a three-day legislative visit coordinated by National Farmers Union, members of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union met with Interior Secretary Salazar today in Washington, D.C. The group presented Salazar with a banner carried in the Manassa Pioneer Days parade to recognize his commitment to addressing national problems without causing local ones. Secretary Salazar’s family roots are in Manassa, with many generations of farming in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.

As the Interior Department prepares to update a key federal plan for developing solar projects on public lands in six Western states, RMFU members urged the Secretary to protect traditional land uses, natural resources, and rural families. They provided the Secretary with their on-the-ground perspective about the importance of siting solar plants and transmission lines in a way that will serve local communities, protect the public lands and sustain the region’s agricultural economy and natural heritage.

“Our members support responsible solar development in the San Luis Valley and throughout the West,” Midcap said. “Solar farms are spreading across the country, and many more will be developed in the near future. The Secretary’s personal leadership is the key to ensuring that solar energy is developed in a directed and responsible way.”

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, which represents family farming and ranching in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, has been a leader in rural renewable energy development for many years.

09-14-11 *CO Gov Energy Office* GEO’s Renewable Energy Development Team Leads First Project through Streamlined FERC Review Small hydro project first in nation to utilize new process

Denver, Colorado – As a result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Colorado in 2010, the permitting process for small hydropower projects in the state have been considerably streamlined and the first project has completed review in record time.

The Meeker Wenschhof project, a small 23 kilowatt hydropower system in Rio Blanco County, is the first in the nation to utilize this new permitting process required to receive a FERC conduit exemption license to construct and operate a hydropower system. Now, multiple agencies review requests at the same time rather than sequentially, changing the typical timeline from 3 years down to less than 2 months.

“This is the first project to go through the new streamlined FERC process and successfully demonstrates enormous potential for savings, which makes it more attractive for project developers to produce clean energy and jobs from low-impact hydropower opportunities in Colorado,” said TJ Deora, director of the Governor’s Energy Office.

09-14-11 *Alltech News* UK College of Ag Inducts Alltech Founder and CEO into Hall of Fame

Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech, is inducted into the University of Kentucky’s Animal and Food Sciences Hall of Fame by Dr. Robert Harmon, chair of the University of Kentucky’s Animal and Food Sciences Department. Photo Credit: Steve Patton

Alltech Has Supported 55+ UK PhD Students

[Lexington, KY] – The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Department of Animal and Food Sciences annually recognizes someone who has made outstanding contributions to the department and to Kentucky animal agriculture with induction into its Hall of Fame. This year, the department awarded the honor to Dr. Pearse Lyons, the founder and president of Alltech, a global animal health company headquartered in Nicholasville and with a presence in 128 countries.

Lyons, who founded the company in 1980, is widely recognized as an entrepreneur and innovative industry leader. His nominator said Lyons is a strong supporter of the UK Department of Animal and Food Sciences, and that through his efforts, the Alltech/UK Nutrition Research Alliance and the Alltech/UK Center for Nutrigenomics were created. Additionally, more than 55 PhD students at the University of Kentucky have been supported by Alltech.

“Dr. Lyons is a strong supporter of graduate education at UK, and he has provided financial support for many graduate assistantships and for postdoctoral fellows in all disciplines,” said Dr. Anthony Pescatore, UK extension poultry specialist, who nominated Lyons for the honor. “Through his annual symposium and through the World Equestrian Games, Dr. Lyons continues to present Kentucky animal agriculture in a positive light throughout the world. Having a global company in close proximity to our department provides opportunities for faculty, graduates and students that few programs in the world have.”

Induction into the Hall of Fame represents the highest honor that the Department of Animal and Food Sciences can bestow.

09-14-11 *NCBA News* Livestock and Poultry Subcommittee Listens to Concerns about Feed Availability

— Livestock, Poultry and Feed Industry Representatives Urge Market Driven Renewable Energy Policies

WASHINGTON (Sept. 14, 2011) – The House Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry heard firsthand the challenges the livestock and poultry industries face today and expect to face in the coming years because of tight feed grain supplies. The hearing came on the heels of a U.S. Department of Agriculture World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report that projected this year’s corn crop will be 417 million bushels lower than initial estimates.

Tight corn supplies, which have been affected by bad weather and rising demand, particularly from the ethanol industry, have pushed prices to nearly $7.50 a bushel and prompted concerns about possible feed grain shortages.

Representatives from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, National Chicken Council and the American Feed Industry Association, who testified before the subcommittee, issued the following statements subsequent to the hearing:

“While U.S. corn usage for food and industrial purposes other than ethanol have remained relatively constant since 2008, the amount of corn used for ethanol has increased eight-fold, with three-quarters of that increase occurring since 2005,” said Steve Meyer on behalf of NCBA. Meyer is president of Paragon Economics, a livestock and grain marketing and economic advisory company in Adel, Iowa. “I realize we cannot ‘un-ring the bell’ on ethanol subsidies and tariffs but subsidized ethanol has meant record-high corn prices and record-high costs of production for meat and poultry resulting in lower per capita meat and poultry output. If you hear from anyone that the government should not be deciding on winners and losers, please realize that you have already done so.”

09-14-11 4th CO FFA Foundation Golf Tourney held Sept 16th in Windsor, CO…Registration ended Sept 14th

09-14-11 ACE urges Congressional Committee to consider all factors when looking at feed price increases during Congressional Hearing

Sioux Falls, SD (September 14, 2011) – The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) urged the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry to consider all factors responsible for increasing feed prices when it holds a hearing on that matter today.

The hearing will focus on the availability of livestock feed and its effect on the livestock and poultry industries. Many of the groups slated to testify have repeatedly and incorrectly blamed higher food and grain related prices on the increased use and production of ethanol.

09-14-11 Food Safety: Listeria & CO Cantaloupe…An interview with CSU’s Lawrence Goodridge

Lawrence Goodridge, Associate Professor of Food and Microbiology, Animal Science Department at CSU

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) September 14th, 2011 - A recent outbreak of Listeria in the states of Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma & Texas has been in the news recently and seemingly, has been traced to Rocky Ford Cantaloupes… joining me to discuss the situation is Lawrence Goodridge, Associate Professor of Food & Microbiology, Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University, is a leading researcher in the area of food safety and food microbiology. Goodridge has been in the Rocky Ford, CO region collecting samples and working collaboratively with fellow scientists. His research focuses on bacteria and viruses that can cause illness by being transported through water and food. Goodridge is developing a series of rapid tests in vegetables, meats and seafood to detect these bacteria and viruses.

Goodridge also discusses the recent announcement by the USDA that it is taking new steps to fight E. coli and protect the safety of the American food supply. Six additional serogroups of pathogenic E. coli will be declared adulterants in non-intact raw beef. Raw ground beef, its components, and tenderized steaks found to contain these bacteria will be prohibited from sale to consumers. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service will launch a testing program to detect these dangerous pathogens and prevent them from reaching consumers.

To listen to the interview, click on the mp3 audio link below…

091411_Listeria-Cantaloupes_CSUGoodridge_13m55s

To learn more about the Colorado State University’s Animal Sciences Department – CLICK HERE

09-14-11 TCBY ANNOUNCES NEW EXPANSION AGREEMENT IN NORTHERN COLORADO

SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 14, 2011) — TCBY (www.tcby.com), the leading frozen yogurt concept, recently announced its strategic expansion agreement in northern Colorado.

TCBY formed an agreement with Steve Lauer, owner of 15 Qdobas and six Subway restaurants, to open and/or franchise eight TCBY self-serve locations in northern Colorado by the end of 2013. Lauer will open his first two stores in Fort Collins by early November. This Colorado expansion represents significant growth in the state, adding to TCBY’s 15 current locations in Colorado and more than 380 locations nationwide.

“Because the state is strongly focused on health and active lifestyles, we see significant opportunities for franchise growth in Colorado,” said Tim Casey, CEO of TCBY. “TCBY’s commitment to quality and innovation paired with our new brand and self-serve platform further positions TCBY as the industry leader.”

09-14-11 *US HHS News* New public-private sector initiative aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in five years

Million Hearts focuses on improving aspirin use, blood pressure, cholesterol control and tobacco prevention 

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with several key initial partners, today launched Million Hearts, an initiative that aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years. Currently, cardiovascular disease costs $444 billion every year in medical costs and lost productivity in Americans. Building on work already underway thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Million Hearts will help improve Americans’ health and increase productivity.

Million Hearts is focused on two goals:

·         Empowering Americans to make healthy choices such as preventing tobacco use and reducing sodium and trans fat consumption. This can reduce the number of people who need medical treatment such as blood pressure or cholesterol medications to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

·         Improving care for people who do need treatment by encouraging a targeted focus on the “ABCS” – Aspirin for people at risk, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management and Smoking cessation – which address the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and can help to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

“Heart disease causes 1 of every 3 American deaths and constitutes 17% of overall national health spending,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “By enlisting partners from across the health sector, Million Hearts will create a national focus on combating heart disease.”

By empowering Americans to make healthy choices and improving care, Million Hearts strives to achieve the following specific goals:

08-30-11 *CO Farm Bureau ALERT* Upcoming Brand Board Meeting…Sept 14th

Notice is hereby given pursuant to § 24-4-103 C.R.S. that the Department of Agriculture/State Board of Stock Inspection Commissioners will hold a public rulemaking hearing:

DATE:          Wednesday, September 14, 2011

TIME:           10:00 a.m.

LOCATION:

National Western Stock Show

Hall of Education

4655 Humboldt Street

Denver, Colorado  80216

The purpose of these proposed rule revisions is to increase the current fee for the assessment of brands, to strike out-dated language from the rules, and to harmonize the application fee for new brands with those for canceled brands seeking reinstatement.

The statutory authority for these rules is § 35-43-115 C.R.S.

Any interested party may file written comment with the Commissioner’s office prior to the hearing, or present at the aforementioned hearing written data, views or arguments.  A copy of the proposed rule is available on the Department of Agriculture’s website at www.colorado.gov/ag or may be obtained by calling 303-239-4104.  The proposed rule shall be available for public inspection at the Colorado Department of Agriculture at 700 Kipling Street, Suite 4000,Lakewood, or at the Colorado Brand Division office at 4701 Marion Street, Suite 201, Denver,Colorado during regular business hours.

09-14-11 *CSU – Golden Plains Extension News* Revisiting the July Import/Export Data…

CLICK HERE to visit thie website

Submitted to the BARN by: Michael Fisher, Golden Plains Area Livestock Extension Agent 

I wrote an article almost a year ago titled “Are you an exporter?”  (It is archived on the GPA Extension website at http://goldenplains.colostate.edu/agri/agri_docs/2010_exporter.shtml.)  In that article I used the July 2010 import/export data from the Foreign Trade office of the US Census Bureau to look at the positive effect that ag commodities in the foods, feeds, and beverages sector have as US exports.  The import/export data for July 2011 was released on September 8^th, so I thought that it might be a good opportunity to revisit ag commodity imports and exports as an article topic.

In July 2011, the US imported $222.8 billion in goods and services, while exporting $178.0 billion in goods and services.  That gave us a negative trade deficit of -$44.8 billion for the month of July.  In 2010 the July trade deficit was -$42.8 billion.

The agricultural sector exported nearly $10.1 billion worth of foods, feeds, & beverages during July 2011; which was about 5.7 percent of all July 2011 exports.  That is roughly $2.2 billion more in ag exports of this type than during the same period a year ago.  The top five sectors were 1) meat, poultry, etc., 2) corn, 3) soybeans, 4) other foods, & 5) wheat.  The order is the same as last year with the exception that wheat replaces fruits and frozen juices.

09-14-11 *CCA News* Government Oversight Hearing Calls Out Job-Killing GIPSA Rule…CCA’s LeValley Testifies…

— Colorado Cattlewoman Testifies on Impact of Proposed Rule
— NCBA, NPPC Commend Congressman Issa for Pushing Back on Overregulation

WASHINGTON (Sept. 14, 2011) – The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform today hosted a hearing called “How A Broken Process Leads To Flawed Regulations.” Representing the livestock industry was Robbie LeValley, co-owner, Homestead Meats and member of the board of directors for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). She told the committee about the potential impact of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed livestock marketing regulation — the GIPSA rule (Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration would oversee the rule). Specifically, LeValley denounced big government invading the private marketplace.

“Value-based marketing has given our family business the opportunity to compete for market share at the highest level,” said LeValley, a third generation Colorado cattlewoman who sells beef directly to consumers. “We do not need big government setting up shop on our farms and ranches. Government intrusion into the private marketplace is not the answer.”

09-14-11 *USDA/NASS* Feed Outlook

Corn Yield Drops, Boosts Price Prospects

The U.S. corn yield forecast for 2011/12 dropped 4.9 bushels per acre this month to 148.1 bushels. Corn production prospects are reduced 417 million bushels to 12.5
billion, just 0.4 percent higher than the previous year despite a 4.6-percent increase in planted area. Sustained high corn prices are expected to reduce use, with feed and residual down 200 million bushels and ethanol use and exports each down 100 million. U.S. ending stocks are down 42 million bushels to 672 million, as high prices maintain a stocks-to-use ratio near 5 percent. World corn ending stocks are boosted this month as foreign production responds to sustained high prices. The U.S. share of world corn trade is projected to fall below 50 percent for the first time in 30 years.

CLICK HERE to view the FULL REPORT

09-14-11 *USDA/NASS* Wheat Outlook…

Economic Research Service September 14, 2011
U.S. Department of Agriculture WHS-11it text and tables
Approved by the World Agricultural Outlook Board

Projected 2011/12 Ending Stocks Are Raised
Projected U.S. wheat ending stocks for 2011/12 are raised 90 million bushels this month with higher expected imports and lower expected food use and exports. Imports are raised 10
million bushels with larger supplies in Canada. Food use is projected 5 million bushels lower in  line with revisions to 2010/11 based on the latest and final U.S. Census Bureau mill grind  estimates and reflecting reduced prospects for per capita flour consumption during calendar year  2011. Exports for 2011/12 are projected 75 million bushels lower with larger supplies in Canada and the EU-27. The season-average farm price for all wheat is projected at $7.35 to $8.35 per bushel, up from last month’s range of $7.00 to $8.20 per bushel supported by higher corn prices. An increased foreign production forecast for 2011/12 and larger beginning stocks boosted world  wheat supplies sharply this month. The increase in world wheat supplies is larger than the  increase in use, raising projected world ending stocks. U.S. wheat export prospects are  continuing to decline while Canadian and EU-27 exports are on the rise.

2011 Red Angus National Convention set for Sept 14-16 in Durham, NC

2011 Red Angus National Convention

Mark Your Calendars Now…
September 14-16, 2011
Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center
Durham, North Carolina
CALL 1-800-325-3535

Red Angus special room rate is $109.00  Room Deadline is August 24, 2011. After that date, the price goes up to $186.00

Also, there are three colleges in the immediate area that have football games that weekend – hotels will fill up quickly.
Check out all the latest Convention info on:  2011redangusconvention.com