10-22-12 U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ACKNOWLEDGES WESTERN COLORADO WATER ORGANIZATIONS FOR HELP WITH ENDANGERED FISH RECOVERY…

LAKEWOOD, Colo. –   The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) recently acknowledged water organizations in western Colorado that voluntarily worked with the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program (Recovery Program) throughout this extremely dry summer to balance human water demand with the needs of endangered fish in the Colorado and Gunnison rivers.

On the Colorado River, three privately owned water organizations managed scarce water supplies to meet their customers’ needs while trying to achieve flow targets to support recovery of endangered Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, bonytail and humpback chub in 15 miles of critical habitat from Palisade, Colo., to the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison rivers (the 15-Mile Reach.)

As flows dropped quickly in June, the Service realized that meeting the recommended dry year flow target for endangered fish of 810 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs) at Palisade would be impossible. Grand Valley and upstream water managers worked cooperatively to try to reach the Services’ flow target.  Despite severe drought conditions, water managers maintained an average flow of 500 cfs this summer.  During the drought of 2002, flows in the 15-Mile Reach averaged only 171cfs.

The Orchard Mesa Irrigation District (OMID) strategically operated the check structure in the Grand Valley Power Plant discharge canal to make this water available for the Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC) thereby preserving stored water in Green Mountain Reservoir. This operation benefitted all Colorado River water users in the state of Colorado and better positioned the reservoir to respond to continued drought conditions in 2013 should the drought persist.

““A lot of credit for having water available in western Colorado this year goes to having storage reservoirs available with skilled operators who managed flows as well as could be expected given the drought conditions,” said Max Schmidt, OMID manager.  “Excellent communication, cooperation and knowledge of the system kept us all going.”

OMID also continued work with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado River Water Conservation District and the Bureau of Reclamation to implement the OMID Automation Project.  When completed in 2015, the project will conserve water to meet human needs during periods of drought and improve instream flows for endangered fish, water quality and river recreation.

07-14-12 *CSU Ext News* Inside the Clean Energy Department @ CSU with Specialist Cary Weiner…2012 Energy & Teacher Workshops…

CSU Cary Weiner, Clean Energy Specialist

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) May 14th, 2012 – Inside the BARN to discuss several upcoming Clean Energy Teacher Training & Do-It-Yourself Energy Workshops this summer & fall is Colorado State University’s Clean Energy Specialist Cary Weiner…

To listen to the interview with Cary Weiner, Clean Energy Specialist from CSU, click the mp3 audio link below…

051412_CSU-2012EnergyWorkshops_CaryWeiner_9m2s

“Power is in YOUR Hands” 2012 Workshop Schedule

To learn more about the “Power is in YOUR Hands” Do-It-Yourself Energy Assesment Workshops – CLICK HERE

“Clean Energy Teacher Training” 2012 Workshop Schedule

To learn more about the “Clean Energy Training Workshops” – CLICK HERE

To learn more about Colorado State University’s Energy Department – CLICK HERE or click the header above

05-21-12 *UPDATE* Co Dept of Ag UPDATE: Equine Herpesvirus Confirmed in Colorado Horse

UPDATE – May 21st, 2012 @ 3pm MDT -

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture is continuing to investigate and monitor horses exposed to one horse with a confirmed case of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) within the state; a Douglas County premises remains under quarantine. Strict bio-security and disease prevention practices have been instituted on the quarantined premises.  This quarantine may be released in seven days if there are no additional horses showing clinical signs.

Three facilities received horses from the same transport vehicle.  Horses at those facilities remain free of clinical signs of EHV-1.  The movement restrictions on these facilities will be released on May 22, 2012, as they have completed the 21-day observation time period.

Unlike the EHV-1 outbreak in 2011, the initial case in Colorado originated from an out-of-state stable where there have not been any other positive horses.  To date, no other Colorado exposed horses have become ill with similar signs.  With the exception of the initial case and contact horses’ premises the State Veterinarian is not recommending movement or event restrictions.

The State Veterinarian encourages horse owners and event managers to observe basic biosecurity practices such as limiting horse-to-horse contact, separating feeding, watering and tack supplies, and eliminating shared water sources at events to minimize transmission of all infectious diseases.

EHV-1 is not transmissible to people; it can be a serious disease of horses that can cause respiratory, neurologic disease and death.  The most common way for EHV-1 to spread is by direct horse-to-horse contact.  The virus can also spread through the air, contaminated tack and equipment, clothing and hands.

Symptoms include fever, decreased coordination, nasal discharge, urine dribbling, loss of tail tone, hind limb weakness, leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance, lethargy, and the inability to rise.  While there is no cure, the symptoms of the disease may be treatable and owners are encouraged to talk to their veterinarian about vaccine which can offer some level of protection against EHV-1.

EHV-1 Vaccines:

• The common vaccines available for EHV-1 immunization do not protect against the neurological form of EHV-1 disease which is commonly called equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). These immunizations do protect against the respiratory and abortion forms of the disease.

• The EHV-1 vaccines are thought to reduce the shedding of the virus and may decrease the amount of circulating virus in the system of infected horses; therefore, vaccinations prior to exposure may help reduce the severity of infection.

• Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best vaccination and treatment strategy for your horses in your particular situation.

Additional Resources:

·         A Guide To Understanding the Neurologic Form of EHV Infection

·         USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Resources

·         American Assoc. of Equine Practitioners Fact Sheet

05-18-12 *USDA/NASS News* The latest Cattle on Feed Report…

Cattle on Feed

ISSN: 1948-9080

Released May 18, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).

United States Cattle on Feed Down 1 Percent

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for
feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on May
1, 2012. The inventory was 1 percent below May 1, 2011.

Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.52 million, 15 percent below
2011. Net placements were 1.44 million head. During April, placements of
cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 355,000, 600-699 pounds
were 250,000, 700-799 pounds were 380,000, and 800 pounds and greater were
536,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during April totaled 1.82 million, slightly above
2011.

Other disappearance totaled 78,000 during April, 30 percent above 2011.

Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on
1,000+ Capacity Feedlots – United States: May 1, 2011 and 2012

05-17-12 Inside the CO Dept of Ag with Commissioner John Salazar…Livestock, Hay, Legislature, USDA 150th, CO FFA & MORE!

CLICK HERE to visit the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s website…

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) May 17th, 2012 - Colorado Ag Commissioner John Salazar covered the following topics during his regular monthly visit inside the BARN:

• Animal Health Update (EHV-1, Trich & VS)
• 26th Colorado Hay Producers Guide – Needs Hay Producer Listings
• Retirement of Deputy Ag Commissioner Jim Miller
• Legislative Update – Special Session Bills that passed & Gov Hickenlooper’s Statewide Bill Signing Tour starts tomorrow, May 18th
• Colorado Cantaloupe Update – the latest
• USDA’s 150th Anniversary
• 2012 CO FFA State Convention June 5-6-7 @ CSU-Pueblo

To listen to the interview with Colorado Agriculture Commissioner John Salazar, click the mp3 audio link below…

051712_CDA_Salazar_14m9s

For more information about the Colorado Department of Agriculture – CLICK HERE

05-15-12 *PLC News* Legislation Introduced to Mitigate Catastrophic Wildfire Risk — Bill Would Allow Forest Fire Fuel Loads to be Responsibly Managed…

WASHINGTON (May 15, 2012) – Congressman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) was joined by 27 of his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives today, May 15, 2012, to introduce the bipartisan Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of 2012 (H.R. 5744). According to Public Lands Council President John Falen, H.R. 5744 will allow forest lands to be responsibly managed to prevent catastrophic wildfires that put human and animal health and safety at risk while costing economies severely.

“Decades of mismanagement and convoluted environmental regulation have left our nation’s vast forest lands one spark away from a catastrophic wildfire. In many parts of the nation, these forests, which have historically provided grazing land for livestock and habitat to wildlife, are nothing more than kindling for the next big fire,” Falen said. “Forest lands must be responsibly managed but that is not happening today because environmental extremists have abused regulations currently on the books to tie the hands of land management agencies. The Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act will restore some common sense to forest management, improve public safety and restore the environment.”

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.