From our BARN to you & yours…HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(Left to Right) TJ, Connie, Niklas Boehnke & Brian Allmer

12-30-11 *CSU College of Agricultural Sciences* CSU at the 2012 NWSS…Rick Brase

Rick Brase, Director of Development, College of Agricultural Sciences, Colorado State University

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) Joining me by telephone is Rick Brase, Director of Development with Colorado State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences discussing the role that CSU will play at the upcoming 2012 National Western Stock Show & Rodeo in Denver, January 7-22…123011_CSU_CollegeofAg_RickBrase_14m11s

To learn more about the CSU College of Agricultural Sciences, click the logo above or CLICK HERE

If you would like to learn more about purchasing discount tickets for CSU Day @ the 2012 NWSS, as discussed in the interview with Rick Brase – CLICK HERE

For more information about the 106th Annual NWSS – CLICK HERE

12-30-11 NRCS-CO Snow Survey Results Are In…Snowpack Falls Short

(The BARN - Briggsdale, CO) Joining the BARN by telephone is Mike Gillespie, NRCS-CO’s Snow Survey Supervisor with the disappointing news from this week’s snow survey which was conducted on Berthoud Pass on December 29th…123011_NRCS-CO_SnowSurvey_MikeGillespie_10m22s

For more information on the recent NRCS-CO Snow Survey – CLICK HERE

12-30-11 *CSU Extension News* Upcoming Colorado AgrAbility Workshops Scheduled in SE CO…

Registration Form for 2012 Workshops

Trinidad; January 31, 2012

Lamar: February 1, 2012

Pueblo: February 2, 2012

Visit the Kiowa County CSU Extension Webpage to learn more – CLICK HERE

Colorado AgrAbility Project

Did you know?

Colorado agriculture is a big, dangerous business. The state has 28,268 farms and it had 78 agricultural fatalities 1997-2000. Colorado has 1,600 injury compensation claims for agricultural-related injuries that result in a loss of over $8 million each year. There are an estimated 6,965-10,882 farmers/ranchers with disabilities.

The Colorado AgrAbility Project

12-30-11 *CSU Extension News* Available at Your Local Southeast Area Extension Offices…Farmers Tax Guides…Windbreak Tree Orders & MORE

Available at Your Local Southeast Area Extension Office

December 5, 2011  - Local Colorado State University Extension Offices in Southeast Colorado have received copies of IRS publication 225, Farmers Tax Guides.  These guides can be used by agricultural producer in the preparation of their 2011 tax returns.  To receive your FREE copy, visit your local Extension Office and request the Farmers Tax Guide.

The offices also are currently taking orders for windbreak trees from the Colorado State Forest Service.  Order forms are available at the offices or on the internet at:http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/SEA/Seedling%20Trees.htm, click on your county of residence to view the order form.

Conditions of Sale have not changed from last year.

• You must own a minimum of 2 acres of land in the county you are receiving your trees in.
• Nursery stock is not to be used for ornamental or landscape planting.
• Seedlings are not to be resold as a living plant.
• Minimum order is 30 plants.  Bare root seedlings in multiples of 25, potted in multiples of 30 or 50 depending on kind, and extra-large potted  containers may be purchased singly as replacement plants.
• Payment must accompany the order. Refunds will not be given for cancelled orders after March 1, 2012.
• If tree ordered are not available, a refund will be issued, unless a substitution is requested.
• The Colorado State Forest Service nursery is not responsible for errors in inventory count.

Prices of 2012 are:

• $23.00 for bareroot trees in lots of 25 per species
  • Deciduous trees have a 10-30 inch top height
  • Conifer trees have a 5-12 inch top height
• $75.20 for regular potted trees in lots of 30 per species, 5-12 inch top height and 16-23 cubic inch cells

• $40.00 for small potted species sold in lots of 30, except Scotch Pine and Eastern Redcedar which cost $66.80 and sold in lots of 50.  Small potted species will have 3-6 inch top height and arrive in 164-190 ml. tube pots.

• $7.70 for Extra-large trees, sold individually and on a first come/first serve basis.

For more information on tree orders or to obtain your copy of the Farmers Tax Guide contact your local CSU Extension Office in Southeast Colorado.  We can also be found on the web at:

http://www.extension.colostate.edu/SEA. CSU Extension offers up-to-date, unbiased, research based information to families in Southeast Colorado. CSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.

By: Bruce Fickenscher, CSU Extension/Southeast Area

12-30-11 Weld County Commissioners Board Meeting Jan 4th…Precinct Boundary Line Changes…OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

WELD COUNTY, CO – At the Wednesday, January 4, 2012, Board Meeting of the Weld County Board of County Commissioners, Weld County Clerk and Recorder Steve Moreno will present for consideration minor changes to a few existing precinct boundary lines. These proposed changes are requested to accommodate new legislative boundaries outlined for state Senate and Congressional seats.

The public is invited to attend the presentation and to comment on the proposed changes. The meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. in the Assembly Room of the Weld County Administration Building located at 1150 O Street in Greeley.

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN December 30th

CLICK HERE to listen to TODAY's BARN Morning Ag News with Brian Allmer...

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

“Final Poultry Rules Announced:

The Food and Drug Administration has published the final guidance to help egg producers comply with the new FDA egg safety rule. According to the FDA announcement, – the final guidance differs from the draft guidance in that it addresses environmental sampling plans for a variety of poultry house styles, as requested by commenters. The final guidance provides recommendations aimed at reducing Salmonella Enteritidis in shell eggs — including environmental testing for SE, egg testing for SE, sampling methodology for SE, and recordkeeping requirements for the SE prevention plan.

The new rule requires egg producers to have preventive measures in place on the farm during the production of shell eggs and subsequent refrigeration during storage and transportation. The new food safety requirements became effective for egg producers having 50,000 or more laying hens, which represent about 80 percent of production. Producers with at least 3,000 but fewer than 50,000 laying hens must comply with the new rule by July 2012.

*************READ MORE NAFB AG NEWS BELOW****************************

“Corn-Hog Relationship Good for Corn Farmers”

Increased export demand for U.S. pork is raising pork profitability and leading to an overall rise in the national hog inventory. This is good news for the National Corn Growers Association.  NCGA says this growth will translate into stronger demand for corn and distillers dried grains.

12-29-11 *Co Dept of Ag News* Bovine Trichomoniasis Update Talk to Your Veterinarian, Test Your Herd

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 December 27, 2011, there are currently three positive “trich” locations in Colorado (Custer, Otero, and Las Animas counties).
• So far this year, there have been 13 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.”

12-29-11 *Growth Energy News* Federal Judge Finds California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Unconstitutional

Fresno, CA – A judge in Federal District Court in Fresno, California, today sided with America’s ethanol industry in ruling that the State of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is unconstitutional.  Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill agreed with the arguments that the LCFS is in violation of the Commerce Clause the U.S. Constitution.

In a joint statement, RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen and Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis said: “The state of California overreached in creating its low carbon fuel standard by making it unconstitutionally punitive for farmers and ethanol producers outside of the state’s border. With this ruling, it is our hope that the California regulators will come back to the table to work on a thoughtful, fair, and ultimately achievable strategy for improving our environment by incenting the growth and evolution of American renewable fuels.”

The groups filed their suit on December 24, 2009 and asserted that the California LCFS violates the Commerce Clause by seeking to regulate farming and ethanol production practices in other states.  The Commerce Clause specifically forbids state laws that discriminate against out-of-state goods and that regulate out-of-state conduct.  With its original filing, the groups noted, “The LCFS imposes excessive burdens on the entire domestic ethanol industry while providing no benefit to Californians. In fact, in disadvantaging low-carbon, domestic ethanol, the LCFS denies the people of California a genuine opportunity to clean their air, create jobs, and strengthen their economic and national security. One state cannot dictate policy for all the others, yet that is precisely what California has aimed to do through a poorly conceived and, frankly, unconstitutional LCFS.”

12-29-11 *Red Angus News* Ranchers support our troops…

Cattle producers across the nation will honor and support our American troops by raising money to benefit the All American Beef Battalion (AABB) during the Mile High Classic Red Angus Sale on Sunday, Jan. 8, 4 p.m., during the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo. All proceeds from the sale of Crs Diamnd 21 Gun Salute (RAAA #1402318) will be donated to AABB.

Cross Diamond Cattle Co. of Bertrand, Neb., originally sold the bull as Lot 21 in their December sale with all proceeds benefiting AABB. Arcadia Land and Cattle Co. of Stringtown, Okla., Silver Spur Ranches of Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and New Mexico, and Horsley Red Angus of Stringtown, Okla., purchased 21 Gun Salute and are now donating him back to raise more funds for AABB.

The All American Beef Battalion is the vision of Bill Broadie of Ashland, Kan. Broadie is a fourth-generation cattleman who served with the 3^rd Marine Division in Vietnam in 1967. His vision is to support the troops fighting war on terrorism while promoting American beef. The AABB serves steaks to soldiers deploying for active duty as well as at their homecoming.

The AABB’s purpose is not only to host steak feeds and provide entertainment and programs for service members and their families, but to also assist them in any reasonable manner. The organization feels strongly in fostering an appreciation, respect and honor for the U.S. troops among the American people.

“Our service men and women make a sacrifice that ensures our freedom so that we may continue to enjoy our agriculture lifestyle and, in turn, feed our great nation and the world,” said Barry Horsley of Arcadia Land and Cattle Co. and Horsley Red Angus who, along with Cheramie Viator of Silver Spur Ranches, initiated the idea of reselling the bull during the NWSS. “In order to honor our service men and women to the fullest extent, I am asking for your support in bidding on 21 Gun Salute.”

The Oklahoma Red Angus Association is challenging other state Red Angus affiliates and independent ranchers to donate $500 to pool their money toward the purchase of 21 Gun Salute, said Horsley, president of the Oklahoma Red Angus Association and Area 6 director for the Red Angus Association of America.

“We recognized the value of the AABB program and we wanted to support this great cause,” said Kim Ford of Cross Diamond Cattle Co. “We are excited that 21 Gun Salute will continue to raise money for AABB so they can carry on their good work to support our troops and put on steaks feeds for our soldiers.” To learn more about AABB’s work to honor our service men and women, visit www.steaksfortroops.com.

For more information on Crs Diamnd 21 Gun Salute or to donate to AABB independently, please contact Horsley at (580) 743-0006, Cheramie Viator of Silver Spur Ranches at (979) 777-9419, Kim and Scott Ford of Cross Diamond Cattle Co. at (308) 876-2211 or Kyle Gilchrist of Gilchrist Auction Co. at (641) 919-1077. Complete details are also available at RedAngus.org.

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READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for December 29th

CLICK HERE to listen to TODAY's BARN Morning Ag News with Brian Allmer...

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

NCGA Focusing on Two Litigations in 2012”

In 2012 the National Corn Growers Association will continue to follow two major pieces of environmental litigation that will likely be decided in federal court during the year. The first litigation challenges the Environmental Protection Agency’s Total Maximum Daily Load for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment in the Chesapeake Bay. The second lawsuit involves pesticide registrations and their potential impact on endangered species.

NCGA has joined the American Farm Bureau Federation and other agricultural organizations in the Chesapeake Bay TMDL challenge. They say the move by EPA goes beyond the scope of Clean Water Act authority, that the science used by the Agency is flawed and that the regulatory process lacked transparency. This case was filed in a federal court in Pennsylvania.

The second legal action involves the Center for Biological Diversity which filed a suit against EPA in 2011 alleging that the agency failed to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service on hundreds of pesticide registrations potentially affecting hundreds of species. EPA has lost similar cases in recent years and federal judges have often established buffer zones and product restrictions until interagency consultations could be conducted.

***************READ MORE NAFB AG NEWS BELOW****************************

NCGA Board Nominations Open”

The NCGA Nominating Committee is now accepting applications from members for the 2013 Corn Board. The Board represents the organization on all matters while directing both policy and supervising day-to-day operations. Board members serve the organization in a variety of ways. They represent the federation of state organizations, supervise the affairs and activities of NCGA in partnership with the chief executive officer and implement NCGA policy established by the Corn Congress. Members also act as spokespeople for the NCGA and enhance the organization’s public standing on all organizational and policy issues.

12-28-11 *NBB News* 2011 a Banner Year for Bison Business

Booming Demand Prompts Ranchers to Build Herds

Westminster, CO (December 28, 2011) – The U.S. buffalo business is ending 2011 in the strongest economic condition in history, and the growing popularity of naturally-raised bison has ranchers scrambling to build their herds, according to the National Bison Association.

“We are wrapping up one of the best years on record for the bison business,” said the association’s executive director, Dave Carter. “The connection that ranchers have forged with their customers is creating a strong foundation for continued growth as we look forward to 2012.”

A survey conducted by the National Bison Association in mid-2011 found that most commercial marketers are unable supply all of their customers’ requests for bison. The higher market prices are encouraging ranchers to increase their herds, but Carter said it will still take time for the production to catch up with demand.

“Because we haven’t tinkered with the animals to make them grow faster than Mother Nature intended, we have to be patient in terms of bringing extra supply to the market” Carter said. “In addition, some buffalo that would have gone to the food market in years’ past are now being held back to expand the herds. That compounds the shortage in the immediate future.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the 42,756 bison were processed under federal inspection through mid-December represented a decline of 16 percent compared to the year-to-date processing in 2010. Female animals account for 39 percent of the bison harvested year-to-date this year, compared to 46 percent in 2010.

The association has developed several resources to promote what it calls the Bison Advantage as it works to recruit new producers. Those resources include a comprehensive handbook, workshops, an on-line curriculum, and other tools for new and expanding bison ranchers.

12-28-11 WELD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ROTATE DEPARTMENT COORDINATION RESPONSIBLITIES, NAME NEW CHAIR

WELD COUNTY, CO – Effective January 1, 2012, in accordance with the Home Rule Charter adopted by Weld County voters in 1976, the Weld County Board of County Commissioners will rotate department coordination responsibilities and seat a new Chairman.

Each year, every Commissioner serves as a coordinator for a different county department. This assignment lasts for the duration of the year and is designed to facilitate communication and project coordination between the department and the Board of County Commissioners.

The 2012 assignments are:

Department of Finance and Administration – Commissioner Sean Conway

Department of Health – Commissioner David Long

Department of Planning – Commissioner William Garcia

Department of Public Works – Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer

Department of Human Services – Commissioner Douglas Rademacher

12-28-11 USDA TO CONDUCT CATTLE, SHEEP, AND GOAT SURVEYS IN JANUARY

DENVER, COLORADO – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)
will be conducting surveys of cattle, sheep, and goat operations nationwide during the first two weeks in
January.
“Every January NASS conducts the Cattle Surveys and Sheep and Goat Inventory to measure and report
current conditions and trends in the U.S. cattle, sheep, and goat industries,” said Bill Meyer, director of the
Colorado Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). “In Colorado, we’ll be
contacting about two thousand operations to request their responses to these surveys, which measures
trends in inventories, births, and the number of operations.”
“Timely and accurate data on cattle, sheep, and goat inventory and production allows USDA and the
industry to be more responsive to the American and international public, increase consumer understanding
and awareness, and establish an appreciation for the benefits of U.S. cattle, sheep, and goats and their
products,” added Meyer.

12-28-11 *Progressive 15 News* Upcoming Dates & Events

Providing a Voice for Northeast Colorado

December 28, 2011

The Briefing

The office will be closed from 12 noon on Friday the 30th until 9 am on the 2nd of January.

Looks like we have a busy legislative session ahead – if you aren’t already on one of the committee lists (members only) be sure you get signed up so that you are part of the decision making process. Not sure if you signed up, just send a note with the committee(s) you want to be part of: Ag, Water, Natural Resources – Transportation and Energy – Local Government – Health & Human Services – Business / Labor – Education

More and more information will be shared on our Facebook page and Twitter Feed, including quick surveys to get a read on the sentiment in the area. You can make your settings as private as you want, so you don’t have to worry about privacy, but still keep up with what is going on. Most of our legislators are on Facebook and Twitter and we share their posts oftenas well as posts from other partners. The links to follow us are below.

SAVE THESE 2012 DATES

12-28-11 CO Governor Hickenlooper announces appointments to the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System

DENVER ­— Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today announced appointments to Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System, which is the governing board for the Colorado State University and the Colorado State University, Pueblo.

The board selects the presidents of these schools and generally oversees the schools, including determination of salaries and tuition, conferring degrees and carrying out other legal functions. The appointments must be confirmed by the Colorado Senate. The members appointed for terms expiring Dec. 31, 2015:

·         Donald M. Elliman Jr. of Greenwood Village, to serve as a Democrat.

·         Russell Neil Johnson of Sterling, to serve as a member of who has substantial experience in the production of agriculture and as a Republican.

For more information on Boards and Commissions, visit www.colorado.gov/governor or e-mail boards@state.co.us.

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Looking for a New Career…Come to the PTI Job Fair Jan 12th in Greeley

CLICK HERE for more information

Calling All Job Seekers - PTI Group Career Fair – January 12

Denver, CO (January 9, 2012) – PTI Group, one of North America’s largest fully integrated suppliers of remote site services, will hold a career fair for its new manufacturing facility on Thursday, January 12 in partnership with Employment Services of Weld County.

We are looking for passionate, energetic, dependable and enthusiastic personnel to join our team:

• Administration
• Carpenters
• Electricians
• Foreman
• Forklift Drivers/Loaders
• Inventory Clerks
• Inventory Specialists
• Material Handlers
• Plumbers
• Receivers
• Production Workers
• Purchasing Agents
• Quality Assurance & Quality Control
• Safety Specialist

If you believe you qualify for a position, come and visit us at the Career Fair. Bring your resume and completed application. Applications forms are available for download at www.ptigroup.com/careers.php.

Details

Thursday, January 12
9 am to 7 pm
Island Grove – Exhibition Hall
525 North 15^th Avenue, Greeley

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for December 28th

CLICK HERE to listen to TODAY's BARN Morning Ag News with Brian Allmer...

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

“EPA Finalizes 2012 RFS Production Numbers”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized the 2012 percentage standards for four fuel categories that are part of the agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard program. For 2012, the RFS2 program will implement the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007’s requirement to blend more than 1.25-billion gallons of renewable fuels over the amount mandated for 2011.

The final 2012 overall volumes and standards are: Biomass-based diesel (1.0 billion gallons; 0.91 percent); Advanced biofuels (2.0 billion gallons; 1.21 percent); Cellulosic biofuels (8.65 million gallons; 0.006 percent); and Total renewable fuels (15.2 billion gallons; 9.23 percent)

Last spring EPA had proposed a volume requirement of 1.28 billion gallons for biomass-based diesel for 2013. EISA specifies a one billion gallon minimum volume requirement for that category for 2013 and beyond, but enables EPA to increase the volume requirement after consideration of a variety of environmental, market, and energy-related factors. EPA is continuing to evaluate the many comments from stakeholders on the proposed biomass based diesel volume for 2013 and will take final action next year.

In 2007, the EISA established the RFS2 program and the annual renewable fuel volume targets, which steadily increase to an overall level of 36-billion gallons in 2022. To achieve these volumes, EPA calculates a percentage-based standard for the following year. Based on the standard, each refiner and importer determines the minimum volume of renewable fuel that it must ensure is used in its transportation fuel.

***********READ MORE NAFB AG NEWS BELOW*************************

“NBBD 2013 Biodiesel Goals Announced”

The National Biodiesel Board went beyond the EPA’s final rule establishing U.S. renewable fuel requirements for 2012 and called on the Obama administration to act quickly in completing a 2013 rule that maintains the EPA’s recommended volume increases for Biomass-based Diesel. The 2012 rule raises the Biomass-based Diesel program to 1 billion gallons, up from 800 million gallons this year.

12-27-11 Colorado’s Newly Aligned 65th House District…Rep Jerry Sonnenberg Officially Announces…WATCH THE WEBCAST ARCHIVE

December 27th, 2011 - Colorado’s Representative Jon Becker and Representative Jerry Sonnenberg held a joint press conference TODAY, Tuesday, December 27 @ the Morgan County Commissioners meeting room in Fort Morgan to announce that CO State Representative would seek the seat of the newly aligned 65th District. The announcement was bittersweet, as current 63rd District Representative Jon Becker will vacate his seat as of Jan 2013.

Listen to the interview with 65th CO State Representative Jerry Sonnenberg

122711_JerrySonnenberg_65thBid_10m12s

Listen to the interview with 63rd CO State Representative Jon Becker

122711_CoRep63JonBecker_8m10s

You can watch the Press Conference again, courtesy of BarnMedia.iHigh.com

RELATED STORIES

Colorado State Representative Jerry Sonnenberg, 65th District

Sonnenberg to run for newly re-apportioned HD65

December 27, 2011 - FORT MORGAN – State Representative Jon Becker (R-Fort Morgan) and State Representative Jerry Sonnenberg (R-Sterling) today announced that Rep. Sonnenberg will run for re-election in the newly reapportioned 65th House District.

The recently approved maps submitted by the Democrats on the reapportionment commission pits a number of high-ranking Republican legislators against each other and the eastern plains did not escape without casualties. The new district encompasses Cheyenne , Kit Carson, Logan , Morgan, Phillips, and Sedgwick counties and draws Becker and Sonnenberg into the same district.

Freshman legislator Rep. Becker, an up and coming leader in the Republican controlled house was immediately appointed to the powerful Joint Budget Committee after his election, an uncommon appointment for a new legislator. Because of his leadership and his work on the JBC, state agencies were held accountable and for the first time in recent history, the size of government was reduced. Becker was just named as the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee.

Sonnenberg, half way through his third term in the House is the chairman of the House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee and just finished serving as chair of the Capital Development Committee. He also serves on Judiciary and Appropriations committees. With one term left before Sonnenberg reaches term limits, he plans to utilize his seniority to be a stronger voice for the eastern plains.

“It is a terrible situation when eastern Colorado has to lose one of its three strong voices in the legislature,” Sonnenberg commented. “With 65 members in the House we can’t continue to lose rural representation.”

Sonnenberg praised Becker for his dedication and service to the state. “If and when Jon wants to come back to the Legislature he will have my undivided support and endorsement. He is a great legislator and is an asset to rural Colorado .”

Thank you!

Jerry Sonnenberg - State Representative

4465 CR 63      Sterling , CO 80751      970-581-8648

www.RepSonnenberg.com

Colorado State Representative Jon Becker, 63rd District

Becker Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection in 2012

DENVER—Earlier today in Fort Morgan, State Rep. Jon Becker announced that he will not seek reelection in 2012. The news comes after the Reapportionment Commission drew several Republican legislators into the same legislative districts, including Becker and Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling.

“While I am disappointed that the reapportionment process resulted in Jerry and me being drawn into the same House district, I am honored to represent the people of Eastern Colorado.”

“Though I will not seek reelection in 2012, I look forward to serving the people of the new House District 65 over the coming years and putting my experience on the Joint Budget Committee and House Appropriations to work for Eastern Colorado.”

Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, hailed Becker for his work in the House, particularly his work as a member of the Joint Budget Committee–

“In just one year, Jon has proven himself to be an outstanding legislator. As a member of the Joint Budget Committee, Jon played an integral role in balancing the state’s budget in a responsible way. As chair of the House Appropriations Committee and a JBC member, Jon will continue to fight for a fiscally responsible state budget in the next legislative session.”

Sonnenberg thanked Becker for his service and added that he looks forward to working with him in the future–

“Jon is a true statesman and a rising star in Colorado. Last year, Jon played an integral role in repealing the unconstitutional ‘ag tax’ Democrats imposed on farmers and ranchers, a key victory for rural Colorado during this recession.

“While Jon announced he won’t seek reelection next year, he will continue to be a tireless advocate for Coloradans in years to come.”

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12-27-11 Inside the 2012 Commodity Classic with NCGA Board Member Martin Barbre…

CLICK HERE to learn more about the 2012 Commodity Classic

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) Joining me by telephone is Martin Barbre, National Corn Growers Board Member & Co-Chairman of the 2012 Commodity Classic. Within this interview you will learn more about the 2012 Commodity Classic and why you need to register by Jan 20th to save money and you’ll also find out the category winners of the 2011 National Corn Yield Contest, and the list includes several from Colorado.

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

122711_NCGA_CommodityClassic_MartinBarbre_16m6s

To leran more about the 2012 Commodity Classic March 1-3, 2012 in Nashville, TN – CLICK HERE

To learn more about the NCGA – CLICK HERE

To learn more about the Colorado Corn Growers Association – CLICK HERE