12-19-11 Pawnee Music Department Presents…”A Pawnee Christmas” Watch the Webcast Archhive

CLICK HERE to view "A Pawnee Christmas" WATCH the WEBCAST ARCHIVE

12-19-11 *USDA/FSA News* USDA Reminds Native Americans that Keepseagle Settlement Claims Filing Period Ends December 27, 2011

Denver, Dec. 19, 2011 – Trudy Kareus, Colorado Farm Service Agency, State Executive Director reminds Native American farmers and ranchers that the period to file a claim in the Keepseagle class action settlement remains open until December 27, 2011.  Keepseagle v. Vilsack was a lawsuit alleging that USDA discriminated against Native American farmers and ranchers in the way it operated its farm loan program.  The lawsuit was settled late last year and the settlement has been approved by the court.

“Native American farmers and ranchers or former farmers and ranchers who believe they are entitled to funds under the Keepseagle settlement must file a claim on or before December 27, 2011,” said Kareus.  A completed claims package must be filed to participate in the Keepseagle claims process.  Individuals can call the toll-free number (1-888-233-5506) to obtain assistance with filing a claim.”

The period to file a claim opened on June 29, 2011 and ends on December 27, 2011.  Claimants must obtain and complete a claims package by calling the toll-free number or visiting the website;  http://www.indianfarmclass.com.

12-19-11 CWRF Royalties Provide Funding for CSU Wheat Research in 2011 & Beyond…Dr Scott Haley

CLICK HERE to learn more about the CWRF

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) Jojning the BARN by telephone is Professor Scott Haley, CSU Wheat Breeder, on just how the Colorado Wheat Reserch Foundation (CWRF) Royalties Enhance Wheat Research at Colorado State University and the three types of equipment that was purchased to enhance wheat research for Colorado Wheat Industry & it’s producers…

121911_CWRFFundsResearch_DrScottHaley_16m7s

To learn more about the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation – CLICK HERE

12-19-11 CSU Veterinarians Give Holiday, Cold Weather Safety Tips for Pets

FORT COLLINS - Many people remember to winterize their homes and cars for Colorado’s colder weather, and it’s also important to pay special attention to keeping pets safe and warm.

Here are some tips from Colorado State University veterinarians to keep pets healthy during cold weather:

12-19-11 *CSU NEWS* Perryman Nutrition Column: Be Merry Without Adding Extra Pounds

FORT COLLINS - Will you greet January feeling good about how you traversed the round of holiday parties and traditions, or will you be frantically trying to get those extra pounds off in a hurry?

If you wait until January to deal with holiday weight gain, you will likely feel frustrated and wonder where to begin; instead, you can put strategies in place now.

You will invariably come face-to-face with a cascade of diet plans in the New Year. My advice to people is always to think about their weight loss strategy as doing things differently and not as a diet – “diet” is a four-letter-word, in my book. Instead of dieting, you are simply making choices. That’s much less formidable, don’t you think?

TIPS ARE LISTED BELOW: 

12-19-11 *Co Div of Wildlife News* BIRDERS CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

DENVER – With the holidays approaching, thousands of bird watchers are preparing to take to field and forest for the longest-running citizen science project in American history. From one end of the country to the other, bird lovers armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists are getting ready to bundle up and head out in search of birds during the 112th annual Christmas Bird Count, which runs from Dec. 14 and Jan. 5.

During the Christmas Bird Count, birders follow specific routes around designated 15-mile-wide circles that are counted year after year. Volunteers organize birders into groups whose aim is to identify and tally every bird in their part of the circle.

The goal is to get an annual census of which birds – and how many of each species – are using a particular habitat.  By repeating the process year after year, wildlife managers are able to document and analyze long term trends in species abundance and health.

“The information gathered by scientists and volunteers is invaluable to determining long-term trends in bird populations,” said John Koshak, a watchable wildlife specialist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.”Birds are sensitive to changes in the environment. By studying trends, we can determine which bird species are declining and which ones are on the increase.”

According to Leon Bright, membership coordinator for the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society, this year’s counters in his area are seeing lots of species, but not as many individuals as in years past.  “We documented 127 species at Pueblo Reservoir, which is two short of the all time record.  The total number of birds, however, was down.”

Bright said the same trend was observed in the Wet Mountain Valley count near Westcliffe.  “The lower number of birds might be related to the drought conditions,” he said.

12-19-11 CO Lt. Gov. Garcia marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service with AmeriCorps Book Drive

DENVER —Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 — Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and the state’s commitment to increasing early literacy by supporting the AmeriCorps Colorado Literacy Matters Book Drive.

“Martin Luther King Jr. believed in the ideals of strong families and neighborhoods through the gift of community service,” said Lt. Gov. Garcia.  “AmeriCorps*State programs across Colorado have come together to organize the AmeriCorps Colorado Literacy Matters Book Drive to provide children with the simplest tools to better their education for greater success in life.”

Serve Colorado-Governor’s Commission on Community Service, AmeriCorps*State organizations, and AARP Colorado have joined forces with multiple community organizations to lead the AmeriCorps Colorado Literacy Matters Book Drive from Dec.19, 2011 through Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Jan.16, 2012. 

Donations will support youth served by such organizations as Boys and Girls Clubs, Community Building Partnership for Youth in Transition, and Denver Public Schools.  Organizers encourage the donation of gently-used or new books for children of all ages.

LOOK BELOW FOR A LIST OF COLLECTION SITES AROUND THE STATE OF COLORADO…

12-19-11 ACTION 22, Inc. is Hosting Southern Colorado Water Summit Jan 31 @ CSU-Pueblo…GET REGISTERED TODAY!

Action 22 is holding its Southern Colorado Water Summit on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at CSU-Pueblo Occhiato Student Center Ballroom, 2200 N. Bonforte Blvd., Pueblo.

Great information on the gap between water supply and demand will be provided along with what the future will look like considering compact calls and potential water projects.

Registration fee is $45 — $35 for Action 22 Members — and can be made by clicking below or by calling the Action 22 office at 1.888.799.1799.

Click here for a campus map. The Occhiato Student Center is #15 on the map. Please park in N2 and N3 to avoid being ticketed.

Click here for a printable agenda for the event.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Kim Schultz, 2012 Chair Gerry McDaniel, Chair

A22 Board of Directors A22 Water Committee

Register Now!

12-19-11 *Co Dept of Ag News* Park County Resident Found to have “Mistreated and Neglected the Cattle Under his Care”

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – On December 15, 2011, a Park County judge barred Vernon E. Wagner, of Park County, from owning, managing, controlling, or otherwise possessing cattle in Park County.  The ruling stems from a joint investigation by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Park County Sheriff’s Office.

Vernon E. Wagner of Park County owned a number of cattle and was under contract to care for additional livestock.  In May 2010, nearly 400 of those cattle were gathered based on the discovery of at least 140 dead cows and many emaciated cattle.  Wagner was then deemed an “unfit owner” of those cattle by the courts.  Through a temporary restraining order, the rest of Wagner’s herd was to remain under his care with specific orders pertaining to their proper care as well as a provision that allowed welfare checks by CDA.

The conclusion of the process occurred on December 15, 2011, when Judge Stephen A. Groome, District Court, Park County, ordered a permanent injunction against Wagner.  Groome explained that testimony during the trial “…constitutes very strong and convincing evidence of Wagner’s dismal failure to provide adequate nutrition for the cattle under his control.”

Judge Groome also stated, “the court finds and concludes that, unless Wagner is permanently restrained from cattle ranching in Park County, he will continue to neglect and mistreat the cattle under his control in violation of the Animal Protection Act; and that merely ordering Wagner to comply with the Animal Protection Act’s provisions would prove meaningless and would result in more Wagner cattle being abused, mistreated, and neglected.”

A court appointed receiver has possession of the cattle and will care for them until they are sold.

12-19-11 *Public Lands Council News* Livestock Groups Hail Passage of Omnibus Spending Package

— PLC, NCBA Urge President to Sign Bill Including Critical Grazing, Environmental Provisions

WASHINGTON (Dec. 19, 2011) – A $915 billion omnibus spending bill to fund the federal government through September 2012 passed Congress over the weekend and is headed to President Barack Obama’s desk. Dustin Van Liew, Public Lands Council (PLC) executive director and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) director of federal lands, commended lawmakers for including critical policy provisions related to livestock grazing as well as greenhouse gas reporting requirements in the spending bill. He said PLC and NCBA encourage President Obama to waste no time in signing the bill into law.

Specifically, Van Liew pointed to a two-year extension of a provision to allow federal lands grazing permit renewals, despite a backlog of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, and a provision to allow grazing permits to be transferred without undergoing a NEPA analysis as long as the permit remains under current terms and conditions.

“This commonsense grazing provision will continue to provide livestock producers relief from the uncertainty and instability of the federal lands grazing permit renewal process,” Van Liew said. “Livestock producers face a constant threat of environmental activists filing lawsuits to end grazing on federal lands. We commend Congress for taking a critical step to providing stability to the federal grazing permit process while also ensuring federal lands ranchers are able to continue producing safe, wholesome beef and lamb.”

12-19-11 *History Colorado – Centennial Farms Project* Meet Grand County’s LeRoux Ranch of Kremmling…

LeRoux Ranch receives 2011 Centennial Farms Award @ Co Starte Fair in Pueblo...To LISTEN to the interview with Mike & Ann LeRoux, CLICK the picture...

CLICK HERE to listen to more interviews with 2011 Centennial Farm Inductees…

12-19-11 *NCBA News* Environmental Stewardship Program Rewards Cattlemen

—Applications Available to Recognize Cattlemen for Excellence in Environmental Practices 

WASHINGTON (Dec. 19, 2011) – Cattlemen from across the nation are annually recognized for outstanding environmental stewardship practices and conservation achievements through the Environmental Stewardship Award program. The award program was established in 1991 by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. The award is made possible by the generous support and sponsorship of Dow AgroSciences, LLC, the United State Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“The Environmental Stewardship Award highlights our nation’s cattlemen for their excellence in land stewardship and management and allows cattlemen to showcase to the public the positive environmental benefits of farming and ranching,” said NCBA CEO Forrest Roberts. “The award also helps cattle producers across the country learn about examples and ideas of how to engage in beneficial environmental practices on their own farms and ranches. Award recipients excel in the areas of water management, wildlife, vegetation, air, soil, sustainability and the overall leadership abilities of their farms or ranches.”

12-19-11 *BREAKING AG NEWS* “Senate Passes Bill Containing XL Pipeline Stipulation”

On Saturday, the U.S. Senate voted 89 to 10 for a legislative package that included language requiring the President to make a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. The language gives the President 60 days to approve or deny the project. If the President approves the project or fails to act, construction can begin outside of Nebraska. Nothing in the bill would set a timeline or force action in Nebraska until the state approves an acceptable route.

Senator Mike Johanns supported the bill, saying – while I don’t agree with every provision included in this package, I think reaching a final decision on the Keystone XL pipeline will be an important boost to our economy by creating jobs and acquiring oil from an ally. The Senator remains concerned about the implications a long-term payroll tax reduction, included in the bill, would have on Social Security.

The House is expected to consider the bill this week.

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for December 19th

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

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

“Senate Passes Bill Containing XL Pipeline Stipulation”

On Saturday, the U.S. Senate voted 89 to 10 for a legislative package that included language requiring the President to make a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. The language gives the President 60 days to approve or deny the project. If the President approves the project or fails to act, construction can begin outside of Nebraska. Nothing in the bill would set a timeline or force action in Nebraska until the state approves an acceptable route.

Senator Mike Johanns supported the bill, saying – while I don’t agree with every provision included in this package, I think reaching a final decision on the Keystone XL pipeline will be an important boost to our economy by creating jobs and acquiring oil from an ally. The Senator remains concerned about the implications a long-term payroll tax reduction, included in the bill, would have on Social Security.

The House is expected to consider the bill this week.

“Team Investigates FTA Implementation”

An elite U.S. Grains Council delegation was the first group to meet with key officials in Panama and Colombia since U.S. passage of the Colombia and Panama free trade agreements. The team explored the outlook for FTA implementation with government officials in both countries, with private sector grain customers, and with U.S. ambassadors and USDA staff. National Corn Growers Association Chairman Bart Schott, who spent much of his year as NCGA president working for U.S. ratification of the agreements, said, – our purpose was to see how far those folks have gone on implementing the FTAs.

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

Schott says – in Colombia, we met with a couple of big conglomerates, and they are very excited about the new FTA. Some thought it would be implemented by April, some said June, and some said the end of the year. According to Schott, -it sounds like implementation will progress smoothly in Panama and Colombia, and we’ll be back exporting corn to them.