Colorado State Forest Service Report Highlights Need to Address Bark Beetle Aftermath on Private Land-http://wp.me/paMjb-nK2 13 hours ago
USDA Awards 23 AgrAbility Grants to Expand Access to Farming for Disabled Americans...$180K to CSU for CO AgrAbility-http://wp.me/paMjb-nJZ 13 hours ago
The Obama Administration has been and remains a strong supporter of the protection of roadless areas. These areas are vital for protecting watersheds, providing recreation and hunting and fishing opportunities. We applaud this decision upholding the 2001 rule and are proud to have vigorously supported the rule in this case.
The Roadless Rule prohibits road construction and timber cutting in 58.5 million acres of inventoried roadless areas, covering about 30 percent of the National Forest System.
On October 18, 2011, the U.S. EPA amended the date by which farms must prepare or amend and implement their Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans, to May 10, 2013. The orginal date for compliance was November 1, 2011, however, if EPA receives no adverse comments by November 2, 2011 then the new date will become final.
The goal of the SPCC program is to prevent oil spills into waters of the United States and adjoining shorelines. Oil spills can cause injuries to people and damage to the environment. A key element of this program calls for farmers and other facilities to have an oil spill prevention plan, called an SPCC Plan. These Plans can help farmers prevent oil spills which can damage water resources needed for farming operations.
Under SPCC, a farm is: “a facility on a tract of land devoted to the production of crops or raising of animals, including fish, which produced and sold, or normally would have produced and sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during a year.”
Farm American’s Pat Driscoll (left) and National FFA Organization COO Bill Fleet (right) join FFA members for the announcement of the new agreement between the two organizations geared to promote American agriculture at the 84th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis (Photo by DeLoss Jahnke/National FFA Organization).
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 21, 2011/National FFA Organization) – As the National FFA Organization celebrates a record-setting year this week at the 84th National FFA Convention, an agreement with Farm American and Furniture Row Racing has put agricultural education on the fast track in 2012.
Together, FFA and Farm American announced today that the National FFA Organization will become a communications partner with Farm American for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season. FFA and Farm American will work hand in hand in furthering American agriculture by telling the story of agriculture’s important role both today and tomorrow.
The National FFA Organization, on the heels of announcing major increases in nationwide membership in the past year, will support Farm American’s effort to grow the role the of American agriculture because of the basic connection it has with the goals of FFA and agriculture education.
“FFA is all about making a positive difference in the lives of our members by expanding their leadership and career horizons,” said National FFA Organization COO Bill Fleet. “By working with Farm American to increase the stature of American agriculture, we’re hoping to increase their future career possibilities while also assisting American agriculture as a whole.”
The Farm American program promotes the importance of U.S. agriculture, which employs directly and indirectly more than 22 million people in the American workforce. The details and schedule of the 2012 Farm-American program are still being worked out and will be announced at a later date.
“Furniture Row Racing is humbled to have earned the support of the National FFA Organization,” said Furniture Row Racing general manager Joe Garone. “Farm American is about preserving and protecting – an effort to bring awareness to the importance of keeping America’s food supply produced in the United States. FFA members are our future farmers, ranchers and teachers and our future soil, crop and livestock scientists and future political decision makers. There is no greater beneficiary of the Farm American program than FFA members across this country.”
The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) this week concluded the grant review and selection process for 2011 and informed the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) that it was awarded a $26,000 grant to help fund the sheep industry’s “Sheep Producer Mentorship Program — Introducing New Producers to the Opportunities of the Sheep Industry.”
“It’s encouraging to have the sheep center operational and providing funding for projects to strengthen the sheep business in this country,” commented Peter Orwick, ASI executive director. “ASI secured the authorization and a million dollars in funds in the 2008 Farm Bill so that businesses and organizations could compete for financing that would otherwise likely not be available given the size and infrastructure of the sheep industry.”
The grant will be used entirely to fund the development and distribution of the mentor-support items (tool kit, guidelines for mentoring, webinars and a catalog of mostly web-based sheep production education courses) and will be matched by the mentor component of the “Let’s Grow” initiative.
“State sheep associations are signing up this fall to establish producer mentor networks via the ASI campaign, and we are pleased the center has joined the partnership with states, the National Lamb Feeders Association and the top lamb and wool companies to increase the sheep inventory in 2011,” concluded Orwick.
American lamb and wool is growing faster than production due to increased consumption and increased interest in American wool by the armed services. Nontraditional lamb marketing is projected to be one-third of total consumption; therefore, companies servicing the national grocery chains and restaurants must have more lamb production to maintain these accounts.
The grant proposal invited NSIIC to become a partner in this national initiative to increase American sheep production in an effort to meet increasing demand. The “Let’s Grow” initiative includes the already launched “twoPLUS” campaign for current sheep producers. A fiscal year 2012 campaign is being launched to attract and support new sheep producers.
The center plans to post its progress on grants to www.nsiic.org.
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EMAIL RECEIVED BY BARN MEDIA FROM THE WHITE HOUSE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21st
Good Evening,
I’m writing to tell you that all US troops will return home from Iraq by the end of December. After nearly nine years, the American war in Iraq will end. Our servicemen and women will be with their families for the holidays.
The war in Iraq came with tremendous cost. More than a million Americans served in Iraq, and nearly 4,500 gave their lives in service to the rest of us. Today, as always, we honor these patriots.
When I came into office, I pledged to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end. As Commander in Chief, I ended our combat mission last year and pledged to keep our commitment to remove all our troops by the end of 2011. To date, we’ve removed more than 100,000 troops from Iraq.
The end of the war in Iraq reflects a larger trend. The wars of the past decade are drawing to a close.
As we have removed troops from Iraq, we have refocused our fight against al Qaeda and secured major victories in taking out its leadership–including Osama bin Laden. And we’ve begun a transition in Afghanistan.
On the first day of my Administration, roughly 180,000 troops were deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. By the end of this year that number will be cut in half, and we’ll continue to draw it down.
As we welcome home our newest veterans, we’ll enlist their talents in meeting our greatest challenges as a nation—restoring our economic strength at home. Because after a decade of war, the nation that we need to build is our own.
Today the United States moves forward, from a position of strength.
The number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Colorado feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or larger was estimated at 1,070,000 head as of October 1, 2011. The latest inventory was 8 percent above last month’s inventory and 7 percent above the October 1, 2010 inventory. The inventory included 730,000 steers and steer calves, up 4 percent from the previous year. The number of heifers and heifer calves, at 335,000 head, are up 16 percent from a year ago. The number of cows and bulls totaled 5,000, no change from last year’s number. Cattle feeders with 1,000 head or larger capacity marketed an estimated 185,000 head of fed cattle during September 2011. This was 10 percent below the previous month’s marketings but 3 percent above marketings one year earlier. An estimated 275,000 cattle and calves were placed on feed during September 2011, down 7 percent from a year ago, but up 20 percent from the August 2011 placements. Of the number placed in September, 15 percent weighed less than 600 pounds, 9 percent weighed from 600 to 699 pounds, 22 percent weighed from 700 to 799 pounds, and 55 percent weighed 800 pounds and greater. Other disappearance for September, at 10,000 head, was up 5,000 head from last month and last year.
UNITED STATES
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.3 million head on October 1, 2011. The inventory was 5 percent above October 1, 2010. This is the second highest October 1 inventory since the series began in 1996. The inventory included 6.95 million steers and steer calves, up 5 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 61 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.32 million head, up 5 percent from 2010. Placements in feedlots during September totaled 2.47 million, slightly above 2010. Net placements were 2.40 million head. During September, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 685,000, 600-699 pounds were 415,000, 700-799 pounds were 504,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 865,000. Marketings of fed cattle during September totaled 1.81 million, 1 percent above 2010. Other disappearance totaled 74,000 during September, 37 percent above 2010.
Recently, both houses of Congress took action to support tens-of-thousands of American jobs by ratifying trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, as well as passing trade adjustment assistance to help train workers for the 21st century economy. And last week, the President signed them.
These agreements are a win for the American economy. For American agriculture, their passage will mean over $2.3 billion in additional exports, supporting nearly 20,000 jobs here at home for folks who package, ship, and market agricultural products.
That’s why President Obama made these trade deals a key part of his jobs agenda. And once they are implemented, they’ll level the playing field for America’s farmers, ranchers and growers. They’ll open up opportunities for our businesses and immediately secure new markets as the majority of American products exported to Korea, Colombia and Panama become duty-free.
These trade agreements help build on the success story of American agriculture – already a bright spot in the American economy – by continuing record exports that support more than a million jobs here at home.
Tour of Electronic Recyclers International facility in Denver underscores federal strategy for electronics stewardship
(Denver, Colo.—October 21, 2011) Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. General Services Administration, and the State of Colorado toured a Denver electronics recycler today as part of the Obama Administration’s strategy to promote job creation and the responsible recycling of electronics products. The visit to the Electronic Recyclers International facility featured a behind-the-scenes look at the recovery of precious and rare earth metals and other valuable materials from used electronics such as computers, monitors, televisions and cell phones.
The Obama Administration’s “National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship” is a comprehensive approach to support the responsible design, purchasing, management and recycling of electronics products. Led by EPA and GSA, and with the support of states, the actions taken under this strategy will strengthen the market for electronics recycling and provide a boost to a growing segment of the U.S. and Colorado’s economy.
“The emerging electronics recycling industry is beginning to tap vast environmental and economic potential,” said Jim Martin, Regional Administrator of EPA’s Denver office. “Our partnership with industry means more of our nation’s electronics products will be handled profitably and responsibly, and it means that growing companies like ERI will continue to bring green jobs to Colorado.”
The federal government is the nation’s largest single consumer of electronics, purchasing about $85 billion of information technology annually, of which $14 billion is for equipment. By some estimates, the federal government disposes of 10,000 computers every week.
”In the future, GSA will ensure that all electronics purchased by the federal government are reused and then recycled by a certified recycler,” said Susan Damour, GSA Regional Administrator.
Projects to benefit water users, delivery systems; generate construction jobs
WASHINGTON, DC - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that $20.1 million in combined federal funding has been awarded to four irrigation districts in western Colorado. The funding will improve irrigation delivery systems by reducing the amount of salinity in Colorado River water.
The cost-share awards, between the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Reclamation and the western Colorado irrigation district companies, will fund installation of more efficient water delivery infrastructure, including lining of canals and laterals, and conversion of existing laterals into pipe delivery systems.
“Salinity is a costly issue for water users on the Colorado River, and these four projects, when completed, will prevent more than 23,000 tons of salt from entering the Colorado River every year,” Secretary Salazar said. “The funding will create jobs and benefit both local and downstream water users by providing cost-efficient, low-maintenance water delivery systems that ultimately reduce salinity in the Colorado River.”
Recent studies conducted by Reclamation show that salinity damages in the U.S. portion of the Colorado River Basin range between $500 million and $750 million per year and could exceed $1.5 billion per year if future increases are not controlled.
“High salinity levels cause a whole host of problems – from reducing farm yields to damaging municipal water systems and household pipes and fixtures,” said Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor. “We are providing a targeted investment to Colorado projects from our Basinwide Salinity Control Program to address these serious issues. These important projects will provide a long-term investment in our water infrastructure and will have the added benefit of creating jobs for the region.”
Four western Colorado irrigation districts are the recipients of this salinity control funding: Read the rest of this entry »
DENVER — Friday, Oct. 21, 2011 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today announced appointments to several Boards and Commissions. The appointments were made to the Colorado Children’s Trust Fund Board; the Commission on Judicial Discipline; the Colorado Racing Commission; the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority Board of Directors; the Workforce Development Council; the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Board; the State Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors; and the Colorado Commission on the Aging.
The ColoradoChildren’s Trust Fund provides funding to programs throughout Colorado that focus on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The appointments must be confirmed by the Colorado Senate. The members appointed:
· Mark Christopher Tilden of Boulder, to serve as a member with knowledge of child abuse prevention, appointed for a term expiring Nov. 7, 2013.
· LaShay Canady of Aurora, to serve as a parent, appointed for a term expiring Nov. 7, 2014.
· Lori A. Moriarty of Golden, to serve as a representative with knowledge of child abuse prevention, reappointed for a term expiring Nov. 7, 2014.
· Hilary A. Silver of Denver, to serve as a member with knowledge of child abuse prevention and social work, reappointed for a term expiring Nov. 7, 2014.
The Commission on Judicial Discipline monitors and disciplines misconduct of judges and justices of the state courts of Colorado and provides education programs to judges on their ethics obligations under the Colorado code of Judicial Conduct. The appointment must be confirmed by the Colorado Senate. The member appointed for a term expiring June 30, 2015:
· David Lee Dill of Pueblo, to serve as a non-attorney, occasioned by the resignation of Judy Weaver of Pueblo.
Leaders of the U.S. wheat industry applauded President Barack Obama’s signing on Friday of three long-pending free trade agreements, with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.
The agreements were passed by both chambers of Congress last week on a bipartisan basis. National Association of Wheat Growers President Wayne Hurst, a wheat farmer from Burley, Idaho, and U.S. Wheat Associates Chairman Randy Suess, a wheat farmer from Colfax, Wash., attended a ceremony Friday at the White House Rose Garden, held to mark the occasion.
Hurst, Suess and the Boards of both organizations are now urging the Administration to work closely with our trading partners to be sure the agreements enter into force as quickly as possible.
The delay in Congressional consideration of the agreements, which were signed in 2006 and 2007, has significantly hurt wheat exports, especially to Colombia.
As recently as 2007/2008, 70 percent of Colombia’s total annual wheat imports came from U.S. farmers. U.S. sales have fallen since then to a low of 46 percent of total imports. At the same time, Canada negotiated and ratified an FTA with Colombia that entered into force in August, allowing Canadian wheat to enter Colombia duty free.
By Sarah Hubbart, Animal Agriculture Alliance Communications Director
October 24 marks the first-ever Food Day, a holiday organized by the Center for Science in the Public Interest that is being celebrated online and at many grassroots events across the country. Unfortunately, Food Day’s founding principles downplay the importance of modern agriculture and unfairly criticize the way of life of many food producers who don’t fit the “local” or “niche” mold. For example, two of Food Day’s goals include “limiting big agribusiness” and “reforming factory farms” – terms that conjure up negative, and misleading, stereotypes about today’s agriculture industry.
Food Day has the potential to kick-start many conversations about how food is produced in our country. It represents a tremendous opportunity for farmers and ranchers to share how agriculture is more than just a business; it is a way of life, no matter if you have ten cows or 10,000.
The Animal Agriculture Alliance was excited to partner with Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan on Tuesday to announce the launch of Real Farmers Real Food,http://www.realfarmersrealfood.com, a new website that showcases the importance of America’s farmers and ranchers, large and small, to our nation’s security and vitality. Scanlan’s one-minute video message encourages Americans to celebrate the hard work of our nation’s farmers and ranchers. Audio of the PSA is also available for radio broadcast.
“Not everybody farms, but everybody has to eat,” Scanlan says in the one-minute video, also available athttp://www.youtube.com/animalagalliance. “Most Americans don’t realize how essential and crucial agriculture is to our lives and to our economy.”
Despite softer national farm loan activity, larger banks cut interest rates on non-real estate loans to boost farm lending in the third quarter, according to the Federal Reserve System’s Agricultural Finance Databook.
Large banks, those with farm loan portfolios greater than $25 million, dropped the average effective interest rate on non-real estate farm loans to 3.6 percent during the quarter, well below the rate charged at small or mid-sized banks. These lower interest rates spurred sharp annual gains in non-real estate loan volumes at large banks, compared to declines at small or mid-sized banks. Large banks originated most of their loans with floating interest rates, whereas small and mid-sized banks extended variable rates on less than half of their loans.
Still, overall farm lending was flat in the third quarter as strong agricultural profits limited non-real estate loan demand. Operating loan volumes held steady with higher input costs, but equipment and livestock loan volumes fell below year-ago levels.
In contrast, farm real estate loans accounted for a larger share of farm lending during the third quarter. National farmland values climbed higher in the second quarter, with anecdotal evidence of further gains during the third quarter. Annual farmland value gains reached record levels in many states, most notably in the Corn Belt and Northern Plains where land prices rose more than 25 percent above year-ago-levels.
— President Signs FTAs with Colombia, Panama and South Korea
WASHINGTON (Oct. 21, 2011) – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Bill Donald said the long-awaited implementation of free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea is nearing. Today, Oct. 21, 2011, President Barack Obama signed the three agreements and the renewal of Trade Adjustment Assistance. Donald said the official signing is a step in the right direction.
“The swift passage of the trade agreements was a refreshing move of bipartisanship. We strongly urged the president to follow suit by signing these agreements. He did that and we commend him for understanding the importance of free and open trade to job creation and economic growth,” said Donald. “Cattlemen welcome the opportunity to respond to growing global demand for safe and nutritious beef raised by farm and ranch families throughout the United States.”
In his remarks, President Obama underscored that these trade agreements will significantly boost American exports and support tens of thousands of American jobs. In fact, according to the International Trade Commission, the three agreements translate into 250,000 jobs. To cattlemen like Donald, the trade agreements increase beef demand and profitability. CattleFax reports the average per head value of exports to live cattle to exceed $200.
ARLINGTON, Virginia — Leaders of the U.S. wheat industry applauded President Barack Obama’s signing on Friday of three long-pending free trade agreements, with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.
The agreements were passed by both chambers of Congress last week on a bipartisan basis. National Association of Wheat Growers President Wayne Hurst, a wheat farmer from Burley, Idaho, and U.S. Wheat Associates Chairman Randy Suess, a wheat farmer from Colfax, Wash., attended a ceremony Friday at the White House Rose Garden, held to mark the occasion.
Hurst, Suess and the Boards of both organizations are now urging the Administration to work closely with our trading partners to be sure the agreements enter into force as quickly as possible.
The delay in Congressional consideration of the agreements, which were signed in 2006 and 2007, has significantly hurt wheat exports, especially to Colombia.
As recently as 2007/2008, 70 percent of Colombia’s total annual wheat imports came from U.S. farmers. U.S. sales have fallen since then to a low of 46 percent of total imports. At the same time, Canada negotiated and ratified an FTA with Colombia that entered into force in August, allowing Canadian wheat to enter Colombia duty free.
Crapo: “The federal government has lost its way, because if it can target the Sacketts it can do the same to anyone.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senate Western Caucus member Mike Crapo (R-ID) delivered the Senate and Congressional Western Caucuses weekly address. In his remarks, Senator Crapo spoke about Mike and Chantell Sackett, a couple from north Idaho who were impacted by the Environmental Protection Agency’s extreme redtape.
CLICK HERE to listen to today's Beltway Beef courtesy of the NCBA...
Tune in for a special edition of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA)Beltway Beefweekly audio. NCBA President Bill Donald said the long-awaited implementation of free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea is nearing. Today, Oct. 21, 2011, President Barack Obama signed the three agreements and the renewal of Trade Adjustment Assistance. Donald said the official signing is a step in the right direction.
“The swift passage of the trade agreements was a refreshing move of bipartisanship. We strongly urged the president to follow suit by signing these agreements. He did that and we commend him for understanding the importance of free and open trade to job creation and economic growth,” said Donald. “Cattlemen welcome the opportunity to respond to growing global demand for safe and nutritious beef raised by farm and ranch families throughout the United States.”
In his remarks, President Obama underscored that these trade agreements will significantly boost American exports and support tens of thousands of American jobs. In fact, according to the International Trade Commission, the three agreements translate into 250,000 jobs. To cattlemen like Donald, the trade agreements increase beef demand and profitability. CattleFax reports the average per head value of exports to live cattle to exceed $200.
This weekly commentary features NCBA members, leaders, staff and more week after week. Click here to download this week’s segment of Beltway Beef. Click here for all previous clips.
Be sure to read about this and more on NCBA’s blog, Beltway Beef. Follow Beltway Beef on Twitter, like us on Facebook, watch video on YouTube and download pictures from Flickr.
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture reminds cattle owners to test their herd for Bovine Trichomoniasis.
“Testing and monitoring herds for trichomoniasis is the best method of controlling this infection,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr. “Cattle owners should talk to their veterinarian to determine the best management practices for their herd.”
· As of October 21, 2011, there are three positive “trich” locations in Colorado.
· So far this year, there have been positive trich cases in eight Colorado counties: Baca, Bent, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, La Plata, Las Animas, and Otero.
· A map detailing trichomoniasis sample submissions by county and the prevalence for trichomoniasis-positive counties can be found at www.colorado.gov/ag.
“The Department has seen a decrease in the number of positive trich cases and is encouraged by these numbers; this shows that the livestock industry and the CDA mitigation efforts have been working,” continued Roehr, “but this doesn’t mean ranchers should decrease their testing rates. It is important to remember that this infection does not respect county lines.” Read the rest of this entry »
(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) Joining me on a conference call to discuss the upcoming Energy Webinar Series co-sponsored by CSU Extension & Colorado’s NRCS is Jennifer Cook, Small Acreage Management Specialist with NRCS-CO & CSU Extension out of Brighton, CO and Cary Weiner, CSU Extension’s Energy Specialist. Learn how YOU can participate in any or all of the next four Energy Webinar Series presentations online FOR FREE…
Washington, D.C. – Colombian Ambassador to the U.S. Gabriel Silva today welcomed President Obama’s signing of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and released the following statement.
“We welcome today’s signing of the FTA, which brings Colombia and the United States one step closer to the entry into force of this historic agreement.
“The FTA is a fundamental building block in the development of a new chapter in U.S.-Colombia relations, and will help to expand both of our economies, exports and job creation opportunities.
“We look forward to working with our U.S. government partners to implement the agreement as soon as possible.”
Aero Applicators of Sterling, CO
Briggsdale Classic Open Jackpot Show
CCTA's High Plains No Till Conference
CO FFA Association
CO FFA Foundation
Colorado 4H Foundation
Colorado Association of Wheat Growers
Colorado Beef Council
Colorado Corn
Colorado Farm Show
Colorado Preps Radio
Colorado State Fair
Cowboy Bible Church of Brush, CO
High Plains Livestock Exchange, LLC.
iHigh.com
National Western Stock Show
Pletcher Enterprises LLC
Silver Spur Trailers, a division of FARMCO, Incorporated
The Fence Post
The Obama Administration has been and remains a strong supporter of the protection of roadless areas. These areas are vital for protecting watersheds, providing recreation and hunting and fishing opportunities. We applaud this decision upholding the 2001 rule and are proud to have vigorously supported the rule in this case.
