05-14-13 Inside the RMFU with President Kent Peppler…Farm Bill, SB-252, CO FFA State Convention and MORE…

Kent Peppler RMFU President

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) May 14th, 2013  - Joining me Inside the BARN on the Colorado Ag News Network for this month’s Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Radioline Report is RMFU President Kent Peppler of Mead, CO, discussing several topics including: the Farm Bill, SB-252 Increasing the Renewable Energy Mandate in Colorado, rating the CO Legislature and Governor Hickenlooper’s performances, the upcoming 2013 CO FFA State Convention and more…

To listen to the interview with RMFU President Kent Peppler, click the mp3 audio link below…

051413_rmfu-peppler_17m8s.mp3

To learn more about the Rocky Mountain Farmers Uinion - CLICK HERE

To learn more about the RMFU’s Renewable Energy Center - CLICK HERE

05-10-13 *USDA/NASS* Colorado Crop Production Report…May 2013

CLICK HERE to visit the USDA/NASS CO Website

COLORADO HIGHLIGHTS

Winter wheat production in Colorado, based on conditions as of May 1, 2013, is forecast at 61.95 million bushels according to the Colorado Agricultural Statistics Service. This forecast is 16 percent below last year’s production of 73.78 million bushels and 21 percent below the 78.00 million bushel crop produced two years ago. Acreage for harvest, estimated at 1.77 million acres, is 400,000 acres less than a year ago. Average yield is forecast at 35.0 bushels per acre, up 1.0 bushels per acre from last year’s yield, but 10.0 bushels per acre below the record high yield of 45.0 set in 2010. This year’s crop was planted under mostly dry, unfavorable conditions last fall resulting in thin and variable stands going into winter dormancy. Following a dry, mild winter, dry and cool conditions continued well into early spring forcing dryland farmers in the southeastern area of the state to abandon much of their seeded acreage. The cool temperatures experienced in March and April have delayed crop development, statewide. Crop development is currently about three weeks behind normal. Variable soil moisture supplies ranging from very short to adequate exist in most growing areas. Final yield will largely be determined by the combination of moisture and temperature conditions during May and June.

Hay stocks on Colorado farms and ranches as of May 1, 2013 totaled 360,000 tons, up 57 percent from stocks of 230,000 tons on hand last year. Although less hay was produced in 2012 than the previous year, better hay crops last year in some neighboring states reduced the need to export Colorado hay. The poor condition of pasture and range in the state also led to more shipments of hay into Colorado from other states.

UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS

Production of winter wheat is forecast at 1.49 billion bushels, down 10 percent from 2012. As of May 1, the United States yield is forecast at 45.4 bushels per acre, down 1.8 bushels from last year. Expected grain area is forecast at 32.7 million acres, down 6 percent from last year. Hard Red Winter (HRW) harvested acreage is down about 14 percent from the previous year. Soft Red Winter (SRW) harvested acreage is expected to be up 21 percent from last year. As of April 28, thirty-three percent of the winter wheat crop in the 18 major producing States was rated in good to excellent condition, 31 percentage points below the same week in 2012. Nationally, 14 percent of the winter wheat crop was headed by April 28, fifteen percentage points behind the 5-year average pace.

05-09-13 Inside the CO FFA Foundation w/Executive Director Don Thorn…CDE Results, Ag Ed Facility & State Convention…

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) May 9th -  Joining the BARN to discuss the latest news and events involving the Colorado FFA Foundation is Executive Director Don Thorn. Thorn mentioned several topics including:

• 2013 CO FFA State CDE Results AVAILABLE NOW – CLICK HERE OR view the pdf version CLICK HERE
• UPDATE: NEW Agriculture Education Facility @ CSU’s ARDEC Campus – Fundraising Campaign Update – CLICK HERE TO TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR
• Three Donation & Membership Levels - You choose which one works best for you – $250 Yearly – $2500 Lifetime – $5000 Blue Jacket Society
• 2013 CO FFA State Convention & Trade/Career Show @ NJC in Sterling June 4-5-6
• LIVE AUDIO & VIDEO WEBCASTS during Convention – On June 5th & 6th WATCH all six Convention Sessions PLUS CO FFA Foundation’s “Rising Sun” Talk Show…WATCH ‘em BOTH LIVE on ColoradoFFA.iHigh.com!
• Co FFA Foundation’s State Convention App - Available for Android & Apple Smartphones – COMING SOON
• 2013 CO FFA Foundation Annual Golf Tournament @ Pelican Lakes Golf Course in Windsor on Friday, Sept 13th

To listen to the entire interview with Don Thorn, click the mp3 audio link below…

050813_coffafndt_donthorn_17m13s1.mp3

To learn more about the Colorado FFA Foundation – CLICK HERE

To learn more about the Colorado FFA Association – CLICK HERE

To learn more about the 2013 Colorado FFA State Convention – CLICK HERE

05-04-13 Colorado’s Wheat Quality Council Tour Wraps Up…

By Darrell Hanavan

Route on April 30: Byers to Cope to Eads to Brandon to Cheyenne Wells to Burlington to Colby, KS.

Route on May 1: Colby to Burlington to Holyoke to Haxtun to Wiggins to Prospect Valley to Bennett

Observations:

• South of I -70 (except for Kit Carson county) is a total disaster due to drought and multiple freezes). 
• North of I-70 (except for Kit Carson county) has average to above average yield potential.  The 10-year average yield is 33.4 bushels per acre.
• The winter wheat crop is 3 weeks behind normal in growth stage which is the exact opposite of last year when the crop was 2 weeks ahead of normal and earliest crop in history was harvested.

Yield Estimates:

 The first day yield estimates were made using the NASS formula, crop insurance formula and eyeball estimates.  The second day yield estimates were made using just eyeball guesses since the wheat fields were wet from rain and/or snow.

Colorado Winter Wheat Estimate:

USDA NASS estimates that 2,200,000 acres of winter wheat were planted last fall.  We estimated that 20 percent or 440,000 acres will be totally abandoned.  The 10-year average for abandonment is 11.4 percent.  The highest level of abandonment since 1970 was 29.8 percent in 2002.  There is the potential that 30 percent or 660,000 acres will be totally abandoned.  Based on an abandonment rate of 20 percent and a 34 bushel per acre statewide average yield total production would be 59,840,000 bushels (1,760,000 acres harvested X 34 bushel average yield = 59,840,000 bushels). Based on an abandonment rate of 30 percent and a 34 bushel per acre statewide average yield total production would be 52,360,000 (1,540,000 acres harvested X 34 bushel average yield = 52,360,000 bushels).

USDA will issue is first estimate of the Colorado and U.S. winter wheat crop on Friday, May 10, 2013.

TO VIEW PHOTOS – CLICK HERE

04-22-13 *USDA/NASS News* The latest Colorado Crop Progress Report…

CLICK HERE to visit the Colorado Field Office Website

Agricultural Summary: Colorado experienced cold and snowy conditions across the state last week. Crops and fruit in isolated areas experienced freeze damage due to consistent low temperatures. Overall, mountain snowpack improved to 87 percent of average. Farmers were allowed 4.6 days in the field for spring operations.

Small Grains: : Five percent of the winter wheat crop was reported being pastured this week, slightly above the five-year average of 3 percent. Freezing temperatures caused damage to wheat plantings in the southeastern area of the state. The crop condition rating was mostly fair to very poor. Spring barley was 42 percent seeded and 16 percent emerged by the end of the week, slightly behind the 5-year averages of 47 percent planted and 20 percent emerged. Spring wheat was 31 percent seeded by week’s end with 12 percent emerged.

Row Crops: Onion growers continue to make planting progress, with 56 percent of the crop planted by week’s end, considerably behind the 5-year average of 71 percent. Producers made limited progress in planting sugarbeets and summer potatoes. Sugarbeet plantings were at 8 percent by week’s end, significantly behind the 31 percent average. Summer potato plantings are behind the 5-year average of 22 percent, with 16 percent planted by week’s end.

Pasture and Range: Rain and snow provided needed moisture to isolated areas across the state, but the long term outlook is still uncertain. Current conditions were rated 53 percent very poor compared to the five-year average of 10 percent.

Livestock: Calving and lambing rates continue near the average, with 83 percent of cows having calved since January 1st, while 75 percent of the ewes lambed. Death losses for cattle and sheep were average. Stored feed supplies were rated short for this time of year.

TO VIEW THE ENTIRE REPORT – CLICK HERE

SOURCE

04-15-13 *USDA/NASS News* The latest Colorado Crop Progress Report…

CLICK HERE to visit the Colorado Field Office Website

Agricultural Summary: Colorado experienced windy conditions across the state last week. Crops in isolated areas, including Western Slope fruit, experienced freeze damage due to record low temperatures mid-week. Overall, mountain snowpack is 73 percent of average. Farmers were allowed 5.0 days in the field for spring operations.

Small Grains: 

Six percent of the winter wheat crop was reported being pastured this week, slightly above the five-year average of 4 percent. Windy conditions caused some damage to wheat plantings, with crop condition rating mostly fair to very poor. Spring barley was 31 percent seeded and 6 percent emerged by the end of the week, slightly behind the 5-year averages of 34 percent planted and 14 percent emerged. Spring wheat was 24 percent seeded by week’s end with 4 percent emerged.

Row Crops: 

Onion growers continue to make planting progress, with 48 percent of the crop planted by week’s end, slightly behind the 5-year average of 52 percent. Producers made limited progress in planting sugarbeets and summer potatoes. Sugarbeet plantings were at 4 percent by week’s end, considerably behind the 17 percent average. Summer potato plantings are behind the 5-year average of 14 percent, with 11 percent planted by week’s end

Pasture and Range: 

Recent moisture in some areas has provided short term relief to rangeland across the state. Current conditions were rated 47 percent very poor compared to 56 percent last week.

Livestock: 

Calving and lambing rates continue near the average, with 78 percent of cows having calved since January 1st, while 68 percent of the ewes lambed. Death losses for cattle and sheep were average. Stored feed supplies were rated short for this time of year.

VIEW THE ENTIRE REPORT – CLICK HERE

SOURCE

03-29-13 CWT’s Request for Water 2013 early submission deadline is today, March 29th…

We have asked water rights owners who may be interested in leasing their water through our Request for Water 2013 program to offer water rights for lease by submitting an Offer Form by one of two deadlines, March 29 or May 3.

The first submission deadline is today, March 29.  If you offer your water for a short-term lease by close of business today, we’ll start screening your water right for use in the program right away.  We’ll be able to let you know, earlier, whether we can legally and technically lease your water this coming season.  If your water is officially leased through our Request for Water 2013 program, you will be eligible for a small signing bonus (offers submitted after 5pm today will not be eligible for a signing bonus).  We’re hoping to offer you flexibility in how you may use your water rights this year.

Please submit an Offer Form no later than Friday, May 3rd to be considered for a short-term lease through the Request for Water program this year.  With water rights that are offered for lease in this second round of submissions, there may be less flexibility in how your water could be utilized this year.  We will confidentially screen and assess your water right as quickly as possible to let you know if we can legally and technically lease your water this year.

Need more information to decide?

Detailed information about our Request for Water 2013 program is available on our dedicated webpage.  You’ll find CWT’s explanatory documents,  The case for Request for Water 2013 and  Frequently Asked Questions.  You’ll also find the forms and information you need to offer water for lease, the  Offer Form, Offer Form Guide, and  Terms and Conditions.  We have a stack of these documents in our office, and we are happy to send you all of this information by mail.  Please contact Alyse to request paper forms.

Public Meetings

03-28-13 *USDA-NASS News* The latest Prospective Plantings Report…Version 3

CLICK HERE to visit the USDA/NASS Colorado Website

PROSPECTIVE PLANTINGS

COLORADO HIGHLIGHTS

Colorado growers intend to plant 1,250,000 acres of corn for all purposes in 2013, down 170,000 acres and 12 percent below last year’s plantings. Sorghum intentions total 330,000 acres, up 85,000 acres from plantings last year. If intentions are realized, this will be the largest area planted to sorghum in Colorado since 2002 when 350,000 acres were planted. Winter wheat seedings last fall for harvest in 2013 remain estimated at 2,200,000 acres from January’s report. This is down 150,000 acres from the 2012 crop. Growers intend to seed 17,000 acres of spring wheat this year, up 4,000 acres from last year. The area expected to be seeded to oats, at 65,000 acres, is up 10,000 acres from a year ago. Most of the oat acreage in Colorado is harvested for hay. Planting intentions for barley in 2013 are up 2,000 acres from last year’s actual plantings to 60,000 acres. Growers intend to plant 67,000 acres of sunflowers this year, down 19,000 acres from what they planted in 2012. The acreage of oil varieties is expected to total 55,000 acres, down 20,000 acres from last year’s plantings. The area for non-oil varieties is expected to increase 1,000 acres to 12,000 acres this year. The State’s dry bean growers indicate they will plant 40,000 acres this year compared with 50,000 acres last year. The area planted to sugarbeets is expected to decrease 2,100 acres from last year’s actual plantings to 29,100 acres. Hay producers in the State intend to harvest 1,410,000 acres this year. This is down 50,000 acres from the acreage cut for hay in 2012.

Mountain snowpack is currently 79 percent of average, statewide. Soil moisture is quite variable across the State with most growing areas having adequate to very short soil moisture supplies at this point in the growing season. Final acreages actually planted for several crops will be determined by irrigation water prospects, soil moisture levels at planting time, and changes in economic conditions between now and actual planting.

UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS

03-18-13 *USDA/NASS News* The first Colorado Crop Progress Report of 2013…

CLICK HERE to visit the Colorado Field Office Website

Agricultural Summary: With the exception of isolated areas, dry conditions persisted throughout Colorado last week. Overall, mountain snowpack is 77 percent of average. Farmers were allowed 5.0 days in the field for spring operations.

Small Grains: : Nine percent of the winter wheat crop was reported being pastured this week, up from the five-year (2008-2012) average of 7 percent. The crop condition was rated mostly fair to poor as conditions have been consistently dry. Spring barley was 1 percent seeded by the end of the week, behind 5-year average of 8 percent. Spring wheat was 3 percent seeded by week’s end compared to 4 percent on average.

Row Crops: Onion growers made modest progress, planting 3 percent of the crop compared with 7 percent on average.

Pasture and Range: Pasture and range feed conditions were rated mostly very poor to poor across the State. Last year, 61 percent was rated fair to good at this time compared with 17 percent fair to good this year.

Livestock: Forty-three percent of cows have calved since January 1st while 30 percent of the ewes have lambed during the same time frame. Death losses for cattle and sheep were average. Stored feed supplies were rated short for this time of year.

TO VIEW THE ENTIRE REPORT – CLICK HERE

SOURCE

03-07-13 Savory Institute Workshop The Future of Water? Think Soil! in Gunnison, CO March 15th…GET REGISTERED TODAY!

Savory Institute Workshop

The Future of Water? Think Soil!

Restoring soils, water and biodiversity through Holistic Management

Presented by Jim Howell and Tony Malmberg
March 15, 2013
8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center
275 S. Spruce St.
Gunnison, CO 81231

$50 – online until March 13
$60 – day of workshop

Register here

For generations, land managers around the world have been able to maintain and increase their stocking rates while drastically cutting expenses and improving the quality of their lives.

This has occurred in both high- and low-rainfall climates, on lands with varying levels of productivity, with large and small livestock herds, across varying cultures. How can such positive results be achieved in such different circumstances?

BONUS: Click here to see a video recording of Allan Savory’s TED2013 presentation The title of the page and presentation is “How to green the desert and reverse climate change.”

Workshop Overview

Continued education, planning, practice, and review of the results of Holistic Management on your farm or ranch will help you improve water quality, allow vegetation recovery, recharge groundwater, reduce chemical inputs, minimize erosion, improve animal health, resolve conflict, and increase profits.

Join us for this one-day workshop presented by Jim Howell and Tony Malmberg of the Savory Institute to discuss how Holistic Management can positively affect your land, land management, your triple bottom line, and productivity within your life.

Topics

Water Storage in Soils
Strategies for Irrigation During Drought
Grazing and Water Conservation
Grazing for Riparian Health

Register here

Schedule

The agenda and schedule for the day are being finalized. Check-in and day-of registration begins at 8 am, sessions begin at 9 am and run until 5 pm. Check this page for updates. Registrants will receive email updates as details are available.

01-31-13 Inside the RMFU with President Kent Peppler…Farm Bill Extension, Oil Gas Setbacks, CO Ag HOF, Gov’s Forum & MORE…

Kent Peppler RMFU President

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) January 31st, 2013 - Joining me Inside the BARN on the Colorado Ag News Network for this month’s Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Radioline Report is RMFU President Kent Peppler of Mead, CO, discussing several topics including: Farm Bill Extension; Oil & Gas Setback History & New Regulations; 2013 CO Agricultue Hall of Fame Banquet, 2013 Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture & MORE…

To listen to the interview with RMFU President Kent Peppler, click the mp3 audio link below…

013113_RMFU_Peppler_18m38s

To learn more about the Rocky Mountain Farmers Uinion - CLICK HERE

To learn more about the RMFU’s Renewable Energy Center - CLICK HERE

01-11-13 ANNUAL CROP SUMMARY – 2012 CROPS COLORADO HIGHLIGHTS

CLICK HERE to visit the Colorado Field Office Website

Colorado experienced a very unfavorable growing season in 2012 caused by extreme drought in most growing areas of the state. Acreage and production of 2012 crops are compared with revisions of 2011 crops. The 2012 corn for grain crop was estimated at 134.33 million bushels, 22 percent below last year’s output of 172.90 million bushels. The average yield of 133.0 bushels per acre was equal to the yield achieved last year. Area harvested for grain in 2012, at 1.01 million acres, was 290,000 acres less than last year. Acreage cut for corn silage was set at 160,000 acres, up 55,000 acres from last year with production estimated at 3.20 million tons compared with 2.42 million tons produced last year. Poor prospects for grain production as the result of the excessively dry growing season prompted growers to partially substitute silage for grain in 2012. Sorghum for grain production was estimated at 3.00 million bushels, down 39 percent from the previous year. Average yield was estimated at 20.0 bushels per acre, down 15.0 bushels per acre from last year. Producers harvested 150,000 acres for grain, up 10,000 acres from last year’s area harvested. Proso millet production in the state was estimated at 1.68 million bushels, down from 6.21 million bushels produced last year. Farmers harvested 120,000 acres of proso, down 110,000 from the previous year. High prices for hay influenced farmers to increase millet hay production in place of proso grain. Average yield decreased 13.0 bushels from last year to 14.0 bushels per acre. Dry edible bean production was set at 828,000 hundredweight, 42 percent above the 2011 crop of 585,000 hundredweight. Average yield was estimated at 1,840 pounds per acre, 260 pounds above last year. Harvested area, at 45,000 acres, was 8,000 acres more than last year.

The final 2012 all wheat production for Colorado, at 74.8 million bushels, was 9 percent lower than the production attained the previous year. Winter wheat production was estimated at 73.8 million bushels, 5 percent below last year’s crop of 78.0 million bushels. The area harvested for grain was estimated at 2.17 million acres, up from 2.00 million acres harvested last year. The average yield per acre for this year’s crop was 34.0 bushels, 5.0 bushels below last year’s. The area seeded for the 2012 crop was estimated at 2.35 million acres. Colorado producers seeded 2.20 million acres last fall for the 2013 crop, 150,000 acres less than last year. This year’s spring wheat crop was estimated at 1.07 million bushels, down 72 percent from last year’s crop. The average yield of 89.0 bushels per acre was 2.0 bushels above last year’s. The area harvested for grain was set at 12,000 acres this year, down from 44,000 harvested in 2011. Irrigation restrictions prompted growers to reduce seeding to 13,000 acres compared with 45,000 last year. Colorado’s barley production in 2012 was estimated at 6.8 million bushels, down 15 percent from a year ago. The average yield per acre, at 123.0 bushels, was down 3.0 bushels from last year. The area harvested for grain was estimated at 55,000 acres, down 8,000 acres from 2011. Area seeded to barley totaled 58,000 acres, down 8,000 acres from last year. Production of oats in 2012 totaled 420,000 bushels, down 40 percent from the production attained a year ago. Average yield was placed at 70.0 bushels per acre, equal to last year’s results. Area harvested for grain was estimated at 6,000 acres, down 4,000 acres from last year. Acres seeded to oats totaled 55,000 in 2012, up 10,000 acres from 2011.

Colorado’s 2012 alfalfa hay production was placed at 2.63 million tons from 750,000 acres harvested, down 255,000 tons from 2011. The average yield for the 2012 crop was 3.5 tons per acre, one-tenth of a ton below last year. All other hay production totaled 1.14 million tons from 710,000 acres harvested, down 94,000 tons from 2011. The average yield of 1.6 tons per acre was one-tenth of a ton above last year. Hay stocks on farms and ranches in Colorado totaled 1.6 million tons on December 1, 2012, down 11 percent from 1.8 million tons on hand the previous year. This is the lowest stocks estimate for December 1 since 2002.

Fall potato growers in the San Luis Valley produced 21.02 million hundredweight of potatoes this year, down 1 percent from last year’s crop. Average yield was set at 385 hundredweight per acre, down 10 hundredweight per acre from last year’s yield. The harvested area of 54,600 acres this year was 700 more than last year’s harvested area. The summer potato yield, at 410 hundredweight per acre, was 55 hundredweight per acre above last year’s average yield. Growers harvested 5,300 acres, up 900 acres from last year’s harvested area. Production is set at 2,173,000 hundredweight, up from last year’s production of 1,562,000 hundredweight. The state’s sugarbeet crop of 944,000 tons for 2012 was up 115,000 tons from the production attained in 2011. Producers harvested 29,700 acres in 2012, up from 28,700 acres in 2011. Average yield was estimated at 31.8 tons per acre, 2.9 tons above 2011 and a new record high for the state. Sunflower production was set at 55.16 million pounds from 70,000 acres harvested. Yield was estimated at 788 pounds per acre, down from the 1,099 pounds attained last year. Production of oil varieties decreased 57 percent from the previous year to 41.48 million pounds and production of non-oil varieties decreased 50 percent to 13.68 million pounds.

TO VIEW THE ENTIRE REPORT – CLICK HERE

01-03-13 Inside the RMFU with President Kent Peppler…American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, Farm Bill Extension & MORE

Kent Peppler RMFU President

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) January 3rd, 2013 - Joining me Inside the BARN on the Colorado Ag News Network for this month’s Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Radioline Report is RMFU President Kent Peppler of Mead, CO.

Topics covered in this month’s RMFU Radioline report include:

• HR-8 “American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 pass in the US COngress and signed into law by President Obama
• Taxes – Individuals, Farmers/Ranchers & Estate Taxes
• 2008 Farm Bill Extension
• NFU’s latest Farmers’ Share Retail Food Report from December 2012
• & MORE

To listen to the interview with RMFU President Kent Peppler, click the mp3 audio link below…

010313_RMFU_Peppler_17m32s

For more information about the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union – CLICK HERE

To listen to past editions of the RMFU Radioline reports heard on the BARN’s Colorado Ag News Network statewide – CLICK HERE

12-17-12 *RMFU News* Yuma DVM Tom Parks Chosen for National Beef Board…

RMFU member Tom Parks, a large-animal veterinarian and grassfed beef rancher in Yuma County, Colorado, has been appointed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. The Beef Board helps farmers and ranchers develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct research and promotion activities.

“RMFU nominated Dr. Parks to the board, and we are pleased to see him selected,” said RMFU Executive Director Ben Rainbolt. “His commitment to sustainable agriculture and humane beef production will bring a fresh, consumer-friendly perspective to the Beef Board. He is aware of concerns over the management of producer check-off funds, and he will represents the best interests of producers.”

Parks has been a Yuma County veterinarian since 1977. Parks and his son, Keith, converted their beef operation to grassfed, certified natural, in 2003. The Parks family raises cattle on 1,300 acres and sells direct to consumers under the Sun Prairie Natural Beef brand. They are certified by the American Grassfed Association, which represents grass-fed livestock producers and certifies cattle  based on total forage diet, no feedlots, no antibiotics and no added hormones.

Parks will serve a three-year term on the board.

Submitted to Barn Media by:

11-29-12 CO Agricultural Leadership Foundation…A Season of Thanks…

2012 has been a terrific year for the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF)! We were blessed with amazing community support from many organizations and people like you. As a result, CALF continues to grow and move ahead with numerous efforts to Connect People to Agriculture. With your help, we are confident 2013 will be another wonderful year!

2012 Accomplishments 

CALF’s mission is Connecting People to Agriculture through authentic educational programs, community projects and special events. As we strive to meet this mission, CALF accomplished the following during 2012:

• Hosted over 1700 students in our Connecting Kids to Agriculture programs (6500 students since 2009)
• Supported 6 CALF Kids (4-H and FFA members who raise their livestock projects at the CALF’s Lowell Ranch on Plum Creek)
• Filled ALL the gardening spaces in CALF’s Community Garden
• Hosted field trips for local organizations serving adults with special needs
• Provided service opportunities to scout groups (including two Eagle Scout projects), school groups, and individuals
• Held several special events including Shearing Day, May Day and the Front Range Sheep Dog Trial, Harvest Day, and Legend of Agriculture Award Dinner.

CALF conducts each program and event at the Lowell Ranch on Plum Creek – a working educational ranch. We are making great strides in restoring, maintaining and expanding the ranch, its gardens, barns and pastures as well as housing livestock to enrich the experience of our students, volunteers, service groups, and other visitors. When program costs are added in, CALF’s typically invests more than $10,000 per month to achieve our goals.

Your donation will help CALF continue to provide a wonderful place to enjoy and learn about agriculture.  www.GivingFirst.org/CALF

11-26-12 *USDA/NASS News* The latest Colorado Crop Progress Report…

CLICK HERE to visit the Colorado Field Office Website

Agricultural Summary: Drought conditions continued last week as Colorado experienced below average precipitation and above average temperatures. High winds were reported across the State raising concerns about the condition of the wheat crop and wind erosion. Soil moisture ratings continue to show that extremely dry conditions persist. Farmers were allowed 6.9 days in the field for operations.

Small Grains: Winter wheat emergence reached 94 percent last week compared with 98 percent for the 5- year average. The crop was rated in mostly fair to poor condition.

Row Crops: Sorghum harvest reached 96 percent harvested. Sunflower harvest progressed to 98 percent complete, 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average.

Livestock: The condition of livestock was rated good to fair at the end of last week. Death losses for cattle and sheep were average. Stored feed supplies continue to be rated as short for this time of year.

Note: This report concludes the weekly crop progress report issued by the USDA, NASS Colorado Field Office for 2012. Next year’s Colorado weekly reports will begin on March 18, 2013.

TO VIEW THE ENTIRE REPORT – CLICK HERE

SOURCE

11-19-12 *USDA/NASS News* The latest Colorado Crop Progress Report…

CLICK HERE to visit the Colorado Field Office Website

Agricultural Summary: Colorado experienced below average precipitation and below average temperatures last week. High winds were reported impacting the harvest of the few remaining crops. Soil moisture ratings continue to show that extremely dry conditions persist. Farmers were allowed 6.7 days in the field for operations.

Small Grains: Winter wheat emergence reached 91 percent last week compared with 97 percent for the 5- year average. The crop ranged from mostly poor to good condition.

Row Crops: Corn progressed to 99 percent harvested, 11 points ahead of the 5-year average. Sorghum harvest reached 91 percent harvested. Sunflower harvest progressed to 94 percent complete, 7 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average.

Livestock: The condition of livestock was rated fair to good at the end of last week. Death losses for cattle and sheep were average. Stored feed supplies continue to be rated as short for this time of year.

TO VIEW THE ENTIRE REPORT – CLICK HERE

SOURCE

09-12-12 Inside CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences…Fall and Winter Landscape Watering with Professor James Klett…

Dr James Klett, Ph.D. Professor Horticulture & Landscape Architecture @ CSU-Ft Collins, CO

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) November 14th, 2012 - Joining me inside the BARN and on the Colorado Ag News Network is James Klett, Professor and Extension Specialist @ Colorado State University in Fort Collins in charge of Landscape Horticulture, Ornamentals, and Nursery Management. Professor Klett is an expert in home landscapes and today he will discuss the importance of fall and winter landscape watering…

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

111412_CSU-FallWinterWatering_JamesKlett_7m18s

To learn more about CSU Extension, please visit their website as well @ http://www.ext.colostate.edu/

Today’s report is brought to you by Colorado State University and the College of Agricultural Sciences, learn more OnLine @ www.agsci.colostate.edu

11-14-12 AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS: Salazar Announces Fee Free Days at National Parks, Other Public Lands for 2013…

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar this week announced dates in 2013 ranging from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day to Veterans Day when more than 2,000 national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and other federal lands will offer free admittance to everyone.

“Our national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests and other public lands offer every American a place to enjoy outdoor recreation, learn about our nation’s history and culture, and restore our souls and spirits by connecting with the natural beauty and wildness of our land,” Salazar said. “By providing free admission, we are putting out an invitation to all Americans to visit and enjoy these extraordinary treasures that belong to all our people.”

The National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will waive their entrance fees and the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation will waive their standard amenity fees on September 28 for National Public Lands Day and from November 9 to 11 for Veterans Day weekend.

The National Park Service will also waive entrance fees on January 21 for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, from April 22 to 26 during National Park Week, and on August 25 to celebrate the agency’s 97th birthday.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will also waive entrance fees on January 21 for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and on October 13 for National Wildlife Refuge Day.

The Bureau of Land Management will also waive standard amenity fees on January 21 for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The U.S. Forest Service will also waive standard amenity fees on January 21 for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and on June 8 for Get Outdoors Day.

11-13-12 *USDA/NASS News* The latest Colorado Crop Progress Report…

CLICK HERE to visit the Colorado Field Office Website

Agricultural Summary: Colorado received some snow last week but the coverage was limited. The majority of the State received no precipitation. Dry conditions were encouraged by higher than average temperatures generating concern for the condition of the winter wheat crop. Soil moisture ratings continue to show that extremely dry conditions persist. Farmers were allowed 6.0 days in the field for operations.

Small Grains: Winter wheat emergence reached 90 percent last week compared with 96 percent for the 5- year average. The crop ranged from poor to good condition.

Row Crops: Corn progressed to 97 percent harvested, 15 points ahead of the 5-year average. The dry, sunny days helped sorghum harvest reach 80 percent harvested. Sugarbeet harvest winds down with 98 percent harvested by week’s end. Sunflower harvest progressed to 88 percent complete.

Pasture and Range: The condition of pastureland is rated mostly very poor to poor across the State.

Livestock: Rated fair to good at the end of last week. Death losses for cattle and sheep were average. Stored feed supplies continue to be rated as short for this time of year.

TO VIEW THE ENTIRE REPORT – CLICK HERE

SOURCE