05-11-12 *CSU Ext – SE CO News* Canning Workshops Scheduled…this summer & fall…

Classes will feature hot water bath or pressure canning. A variety of produce will be used to teach the basics. Listed are the classes. 
                 Jams and Jellies – June 14, both in Rocky Ford and Las Animas
                 Water Bath using Zucchini – July 17 in Lamar
                 Pressure Canning Vegetables – July 19 in Lamar
                 Water Bath featuring Salsas – September 10 in Rocky Ford
                 Pressure Canning Meats – October 19 in Sheridan Lake

The soil is being worked and the seeds are being planted. Hopefully with some moisture and the sun there will be a bountiful harvest, both for the agricultural producers and the gardeners. The seeds are barely up and there is talk about how the foods grown can be safely preserved for the next winter.

Food preservation has permeated every culture. To survive ancient man had to harness nature. In frozen climates he froze seal meat on the ice. In tropical climates he dried foods in the sun. Today we continue to practice a variety of preservation techniques, these include canning, pickling, freezing and drying.

The art of food preservation evolves over time as research is conducted and more is learned about microorganisms. Food preservation is a science and guidelines change as we learn better ways to keep food safe to eat and have a superior taste. There are also changes in the produce, for example, the tomatoes we now grow are lower in acid than they were twenty years ago, thus the processing times have changed.

Are you using current and up-to-date information when you are pressure or hot water bath canning? The most current guidelines are from 2006. If the information you are using is not current call your local extension office and ask for a “fact sheet” featuring the items that you are preserving.

If you are new to canning or would like a refresher course there are several classes being featured in the Southeast Area this summer to assist you. Classes are hands-on, so come prepared. Classes are $15, this includes all materials and participants will take home items they helped prepare.

Participants must pre-register at least one week before class. Class sizes  are limited. For more information call Kaye Kasza at CSU Bent County at 719-456-0764, Jennifer Wells at CSU Otero County at 719-254-7608 or your local extension office.

05-11-12 US Senators Bennet, Udall & Senate Colleagues Continue Push for Full Funding for PILT, SRS Programs…

Letter to Transportation Bill Conference Committee Urges for Program Extensions to Help Cash-Strapped Rural Counties 

Washington, DC – Continuing their push to support rural communities, Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall today joined 25 of their Senate colleagues in pushing for full funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) and the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program. Both were included in the transportation bill that passed the Senate earlier this year and is currently being considered by a conference committee.

In a letter, the senators urged the conferees to extend funding for the programs, which direct resources to Colorado counties to support local schools, county maintenance programs, forest management and other critical programs.

“Without this funding, counties’ budgets are facing drastic cuts, and potential insolvency,” the senators said in the letter. “This legislation provides the last opportunity to pass an extension before layoffs take place and are made permanent for road crews, teachers, and other county workers across rural America.”

The amendment to the transportation bill that included SRS and PILT was cosponsored by both Udall and Bennet and passed the Senate with broad, bipartisan support. The amendment, which is fully paid for, was attached to the transportation bill because much of what counties received under SRS and PILT is spent on roads. The National Association of Counties and the National Education Association have both endorsed the amendment.

The full-text of the letter follows:

05-11-12 *NAFB News* In Memory of Stewart Doan…

CLICK HERE to visit Agri-Pulse’s Website…to learn more

05-11-12 Colorado Resource Monitoring Initiative Workshop…June 21st in Meeker, CO…Register by June 11th…

CLICK HERE for more information

05-11-12 *Nat FFA News* FFA Names 50 Individuals as the 2012 New Century Farmers…

Program prepares young farmers for success in 21st century

INDIANAPOLIS – The National FFA Organization has selected 50 outstanding young people to participate in the 2012 New Century Farmer program. This exclusive, highly competitive program develops young men and women committed to pursuing a career in production agriculture.

Participants representing 24 states will take part in an intensive seminar July 8-14 in Johnston, Iowa. They will learn from each other and industry experts during a series of workshops and sessions. Topics will include the global marketplace, farm financing, demographic trends and risk management. New Century Farmers will hear from motivating and informative keynote speakers who will educate them on the risks and rewards involved with production agriculture. In addition to classroom learning, students will experience the latest developments in agricultural technology.

The New Century Farmer program is sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business; Case IH; CSX Corporation; and Farm Credit; with media partner Successful Farming as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. The program is designed to provide participants with valuable skills and knowledge applicable to their own farming operations. In addition, they will build a network of colleagues that will benefit them throughout their careers.

The National FFA Organization provides agricultural education to 540,379 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,489 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The winners include:

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for May 11th

CLICK HERE to listen to TODAY’s BARN Morning Ag News with Brian Allmer…

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

“Analyzing the Soybean Numbers in the Latest WASDE”

The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report pegs the year’s soybean crop at 3.205-billion bushels. That’s an increase of 149-million bushels from 2011 – but isn’t expected to keep up with export demand. Exports are projected to increase by 190-million bushels – with the crush use of soybeans increasing by 10-million bushels. According to American Farm Bureau Federation Senior Economist Todd Davis – that likely means ending stocks of soybeans will fall to just 145-million bushels – a 4.4-percent stocks-to-use ratio – or a mere 16 days of inventory at the end of the year. Davis says that will tend to be a bullish factor and should keep soybeans positioned as the market driver. The U.S. season-average price for the 2012-13 marketing year is forecast at 13-dollars per bushel. That would eclipse the 2012 record of $12.35.

According to Davis – there are several factors leading to this perfect storm for soybeans. South American soybean production is on the decline – with the latest report reducing Argentina’s production 91.8-million bushels and Brazil’s production 36.7-million bushels from April. Globally – ending stocks for soybeans will be the tightest they’ve been since the 2007-08 marketing year at 53.24-million metric tons – a stocks-to-use ratio of 15.5-percent.

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

“Significant WASDE News on Corn”

American Farm Bureau Federation Senior Economist Todd Davis says the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report carried significant news on the corn side. The 2012 U.S. corn crop is projected at 14.8-billion bushels. That is 2.4-billion bushels more than the 2011 harvest – and would set a new record if realized. The current record – set in 2009 – is 13.09-billion bushels. The 2012 corn yield is pegged at 166-bushels per acre. Davis says that’s due to the rapid pace of planting and crop emergence. Corn demand is up too. Feed use is projected up 900-million bushels and exports are expected to increase by 200-million bushels. Davis says the production will outpace that stronger demand – which will likely result in lower prices. But he says it’s those prices that will help fuel the robust demand at home and abroad.