01-18-12 Colorado Agriculture Big & Small Conference Feb 15-16 in Brighton, CO

February 15 and 16, 2012
Brighton, CO

Featuring break-out sessions for small acreage landowners, farmers, ag professionals, and scientists. Many topics to choose from including Backyard Poultry Production, Poisonous Plants, Livestock Diseases, Fruit and Nut trees for the Front Range, Establishment and Management of Grasses in Colorado, Herb Production, and much much more! Choose to come one or both days, all day, or just for evening sessions. To see the full agenda and to register go to
www.coloradoagriculturebigandsmall.com

We are still accepting sponsors and vendors for this event.  Please contact at Jennifer Cook at 303-659-7004 ext.3 orjennifer.cook@colostate.edu<mailto:jennifer.cook@colostate.edu> for more info.  This is an opportunity to showcase your goods and services to over 100 attendees per day.

For more small acreage related events, please visit the Small Acreage Management events page at
www.ext.colostate.edu/sams/events.html

01-18-12 US Representative Gardner: Obama rejection of Keystone XL Pipeline a missed opportunity

WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO) expressed extreme disappointment in the Obama Administration’s rejection of an oil pipeline project that could put thousands of Americans to work and bring significant oil supplies to refiners in the United States.

“President Obama missed an opportunity today to secure our energy future with North American energy and create American jobs,” Gardner said. “This is a shovel ready project that is all set to be built. We could get started on it today. Instead, the President chose to be politically self-serving and sacrificed the creation of 20,000 American jobs. It is time for the President to stop putting special interests before America’s interests.”

Gardner also spoke on the House floor this morning in support of the Keystone XL Pipeline. In case you missed his speech, click on the below video.

 

Transcript:

01-18-12 NACD Expresses Concerns with Proposed CAFO Rule

CLICK HERE to learn more about the NACD

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Jan. 18, 2012— In comments submitted to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) President Gene Schmidt expressed concern with the proposed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Reporting Rule. Specifically, NACD is concerned about EPA’s recommended options for gathering information under the rule; the potential for the disclosure of private information to the public; and the agency’s potential engagement in regulatory overreach in light of current law.

“As conservationists, we believe that locally-led, voluntary efforts are the best approach to protecting our nation’s water, air and land,” said Schmidt. “NACD is concerned that EPA’s proposed rule will disturb locally-led efforts, and create undue burdens and uncertainties for owners and operators of CAFOs.”

NACD is opposed to the proposed options for obtaining information from CAFOs. Rather than using new methods for collecting information about CAFOs, the best way to advance conservation is by working directly with established partnerships at the local level and through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“In many states, local conservation districts are actively working with state permitting authorities and local technicians to implement conservation practices and nutrient management plans,” said Schmidt. “These practices are straightforward and locally-driven. EPA’s determination of where to focus relies on unclear standards, and competes with NRCS involvement in specific watersheds throughout the country.”

01-18-12 *CSU News* Equine Herpesvirus Study at Colorado State University Works to Unravel how Virus Unlocks Immune System “Gate”

FORT COLLINS - A Colorado State University study will look at how equine herpesvirus type 1 may compromise the immune system immediately upon entering the “gate” of a horse’s respiratory system – the airway and throat – allowing it to spread through the body and potentially cause neurological damage, abortion and possibly death.

The study specifically concentrates on the lining of the respiratory systems, called the epithelium, which keeps the airway moist and is a barrier to pathogens. The epithelial cells also serve a critical function in shaping the immunological response, including secreting chemicals to attack pathogens and determining and initiating the cascade of immune responses in the rest of the body.

“We believe that the herpesvirus finds a way to ‘hide’ from the immune response, and we also know that if an immune system doesn’t trigger a good response at the first sign of infection, viruses like this one take off,” said Gabrielle Landolt, a CSU veterinarian and a co-lead researcher on the project. “That combination of events may take place in the horse’s respiratory system, and if we can crack the equine herpesevirus secret to getting through that gateway and compromising the immune system at that point of entry, we may be better able to find treatments and preventative measures to stop outbreaks of the virus.”

01-18-12 Dr. Getty’s Tip: Glucosamine and the Insulin-Resistant Horse

CLICK HERE to listen to Dr Getty on this month's edition of the Getty Equine Nutrition Corner inside the BARN...

Glucosamine is often the go-to supplement to ease the discomfort of osteoarthritis, but is it safe for the insulin-resistant horse? A look at how glucosamine works may help you decide.

Glucosamine is a sugar (glucose) bound to an amino acid (building block of protein). It reduces inflammation and is a precursor to building blocks found in cartilage. Cartilage cells are able to produce glucosamine from glucose, but supplementation is often preferable if your horse is experiencing osteoarthritis. It can be supplemented orally or via injection.

Many horse owners are reluctant to give glucosamine to their insulin resistant horse that has joint pain. This is a valid concern. Insulin resistant people have experienced adverse effects when given high dosages of glucosamine (though the research results are mixed). But since glucosamine is not digested down to glucose, it should not cause a rise in insulin. So what causes the glucose and hence, insulin to rise? Evidently, glucosamine confuses the cells into thinking that they have enough glucose. So, glucose from other sources cannot enter the cells. The result can be increased blood glucose, not from glucosamine, but from the diet in general, leading to elevated insulin.

That’s what happens in people; we really do not know if the same thing happens in horses. So, use your judgment. If your insulin resistant horse has been taking glucosamine without any problem, continue using it. But if your horse is battling laminitis or equine Cushing’s disease, consider getting a joint supplement that does not contain glucosamine. You can safely use ingredients such as MSM, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, cetyl myristoleate, n-acetyl-l-carnitine, and orthosilicic acid. Or start with two basic ingredients – vitamin C and omega 3 fatty acids — especially in the older horse (who no longer produces the same level of vitamin C as when younger). Vitamin C is used for collagen production (which covers and cushions the surfaces of opposing bones) and omega 3s are potent anti-inflammatory agents.

Dr. Juliet Getty has taught and consulted on equine nutrition for more than 20 years. Her website offers helpful articles, a nutrition forum and a calendar of her events, including upcoming and past teleseminars to purchase and download. Her comprehensive reference book, Feed Your Horse Like A Horse, is available in hardcover and CD-ROM (pdf file) through her website or at Amazon.com. Sign up for her useful free monthly e-newsletter  “Forage for Thought” through the website.  Dr. Getty serves as a distinguished advisor to the Equine Sciences Academy, and she is also available for individual consultations. For permission to reprint this article in whole or in part, please contact Dr. Getty directly at gettyequinenutrition@gmail.com or             (970) 884-7187      .

*NBA News* Welcome Mat Out for New Producers at January Bison Conference…Jan 18-21 in Denver, CO

CLICK HERE for more information about the National Bison Association...

REGISTER BY JANUARY 12th!

CLICK HERE to see a complete agenda of the National Bison Association’s Convention Jan 18-21, 2012 in Denver, CO

Westminster, CO (December 23, 2011) – Buffalo ranchers gathering in Denver next month for the annual conference of the National Bison Association will have the welcome mat out for new producers to join them in a campaign to expand production to meet burgeoning consumer demand.

“Consumers have tasted bison, and are telling us they want more. That means we need more ranchers to join us in restoring bison to rangelands and pastures across America,” said Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association. “Our annual conference in Denver in January is a great opportunity for new producers to join us in growing the herd.”

The bison association’s January conference at the Renaissance Hotel in Denver will kick off with a “Visit a Buffalo Mentor” session Thursday morning, January 19. The informal session allows new and prospective producers to engage in a conversation with seasoned industry professionals.

Later that afternoon, a series of Turn and Learn workshops will allow participants to select from a smorgasbord of topics, including financing, animal handling, herd health issues, and marketing.

“Newcomers can even join us on Wednesday evening, January 18th, for an informal meet-and-greet pre-conference reception,” Carter said.
The Bison Association leader noted that the annual Gold Trophy Bison Show and Sale, scheduled at the National Western Stock Show in Denver January 20th and 21st, provides an additional opportunity for new producers to see-and to purchase-some of the best bison breeding stock in the nation.

Carter said, “Our professional buffalo handlers at the Stock Show love to connect with new producers and share their knowledge and insight regarding the qualities that can help build a successful bison herd.”

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for January 18th

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

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

“Vilsack Reports on Rural Development”

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reports that during fiscal year 2011, Rural Development investments created or saved about 440-thousand jobs. These facts come from the Secretary’s report on USDA Rural Development fiscal year 2011 investments in job-creating businesses, infrastructure and housing for Americans living in rural communities across the nation.

In the federal fiscal year that ended on September 30, Vilsack said Rural Development, through its Business, Cooperative, Utilities and Housing programs provided housing opportunities for over 143-thousand families, upgraded community facilities, boosted the reliability of the electric grid, funded renewable energy projects, and supported efforts to provide affordable, reliable Internet service to rural homes.

The largest portion of FY 2011 funding, 63 percent, supported fee-generating loan guarantees that enabled private lenders to safely increase the pool of capital available in rural areas for credit-worthy businesses, communities and homebuyers, without direct cost to the Government. About 34 percent of Rural Development investments were made in the form of secure, affordable direct loans that will be paid back to the government, with interest.

Secretary Vilsack noted that the agency’s cost of doing business is less than two cents for every dollar invested in the future of rural communities.

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

“Focusing On Food Safety Consolidations”

If Congress gives the Obama Administration the green light to reorganize the government, asingle federal food safety agency is likely. If that happens, Office of Management and Budget Director for Management Jeff Zients believes – the first proposal will be to merge the six business-oriented agencies, folding together the Commerce Department’s core business and trade functions, the Small Business Administration, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.