SAN LUIS PROGRESS Agriculture VALLEY
2017
January 18, 2017 719-852-3531 835 First Ave. Monte Vista, Colo.
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Agriculture Progress
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Lettuce contracts not out for coming season yet BY TERESA L. BENNS
three years ago chronicled the decline of the once-booming lettuce industry in Colorado, which in the 1920s and into the 1940s proliferated across the state, but especially in central Colorado. Lettuce grew in Routt County, Eagle County, Buena Vista, Salida and Westcliffe as well as the San Luis Valley. Fairplay held its first annual lettuce celebration in September, 1922. There was plenty of ice to stock the rail cars carrying the crop back east and producers are estimated to have made about $500 an acre on the crop, (http://cozine.com/2014-june/ lettuce-harvest/) But like alfalfa and many other crops, popular demand, drought and water issues caused the lettuce economy to turn downward, and production has declined ever since. Today Southern Colorado Farms in Center is one of the major local lettuce producers in the area, and over the past few years the farm’s production has seemed to stay fairly level at about 800 acres of Iceberg and 100 or so in Romaine. According to its website, Southern Colorado Farms was founded in 1977 to focus on key specialty crops for regional eastern markets. Major crops grown are lettuce, romaine, spinach and organic carrots in its California, Arizona and Colorado locations. The farms grow organic carrots for Gerber Baby Foods and Hain Celestial, as well as other organic food suppliers. Southern Colorado Farms also is a contract grower for Fresh Express, Dole, and Taylor Farms pre-packaged lettuce and spinach products. Farm workers process and package the lettuce on conveyor/processing plants brought Lettuce history right to the fields. The vegetables are then imAn article in Colorado Central magazine mediately transported to the Skyview Cooling
CENTER — Acreage contracts for this year’s lettuce crop won’t be signed until February or March so there is really no outlook for the crop at this time, lettuce growers for Southern Colorado Farms report. But average lettuce acreage for the farm has not changed much over the years, running around 900-1,000 acres annually. Overall, wetter weather means a good outlook for the crop, but lettuce also needs warm weather in June and July to really thrive and is hampered by strong winds. Hail is one of the crop’s biggest enemies. “The market has been very stable for the last three years,” Chief Financial Officer Mike Jones with Skyview Cooling in Center said last year. “We had favorable weather last year and we loved the rain but it did cause some difficulty with mildew.” According to Jones, not much of what the farm grows is sold in the Valley, although some of the Iceberg lettuce grown by another local producer, Charles Johnson, probably circulates back through City Market and Safeway. Southern Colorado Farms is a contract grower for Fresh Express, Dole, and Taylor Farms pre-packaged lettuce and spinach products. Farm workers process and package the lettuce on conveyor/processing plants brought right to the fields. The vegetables are then immediately transported to Skyview Cooling’s warehouse for refrigeration until they are shipped. Southern Colorado Farms also grows organic carrots for baby food suppliers Gerber and Hain Celestial, as well as other organic food suppliers.
Photos by Teresa Benns
warehouse in Center for refrigeration until it is shipped. Lettuce information Lettuce is usually planted in stages starting May 1 and harvested beginning in mid-July. After the heads are cut, the boxes are transported on special trucks to a vacuum cooler. Head lettuce is then shipped in refrigerated trucks to Midwest and Eastern markets. The cold winters and dry climate minimizes disease and insect problems. Sprinkler irrigation produces a more uniform and higher quality head of lettuce. Lettuce production is centered in Center because of the location of the vacuum cooler plant. The vacuum cooler, trucks and crews move seasonally from Yuma, Ariz., to southern New Mexico to the San Luis Valley for the summer, then back to New Mexico and back to Yuma, Ariz., for the winter.
Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture Feb. 22 DENVER—Joining a myriad of other speakers at the 2017 Governor’s Forum of Colorado Agriculture, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Don Brown will each be stepping up to the podium again at the event this year. Gov. Hickenlooper and Commissioner Brown will help in leading a forum that this year is titled “Label It: Agriculture,” and will focus on the powerful history of collaboration and cooperation that has made agriculture in Colorado the state’s second-largest driver of our economy. The polarizing rhetoric often found in today’s society can create divisive boundaries in agriculture between organic and conventional; urban and rural; large-scale and small-scale. But this year’s Forum – taking place on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel – will serve as an innovative and informative program aimed at bringing together producers, consumers, experts and other ag stakeholders. In addition to Gov. Hickenlooper and Commissioner Brown, other presenters and panelists will include: • Krysta Harden, former U.S. deputy secretary of agriculture and current vice president
of public policy and chief sustainability officer for DuPont • Dr. Gregory Graff, ag-economics professor at Colorado State University • Norm Dalsted, professor and extension farm/ ranch management economist at Colorado State University • Tom Lipetzky, director of marketing programs and strategic initiatives at the Colorado Department of Agriculture • Tom Kourlis, Colorado rancher • Stephanie Regagnon, CEO of FieldWatch Inc.
• Dawn Thilmany McFadden, professor and agribusiness extension specialist at Colorado State University • Virginia Till, recycling specialist and regional lead for EPA Region 8’s Sustainable Food Management • along with many others The 2017 Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture will challenge and equip attendees to seek out novel alliances and ideas to benefit their own operations, the industry statewide, and beyond. Along with addresses from state officials and keynote presentations, the day will also
include breakout sessions covering a recent Colorado Department of Agriculture consumer surveys, pollinator health, conservation, National Western Stock Show developments, cooperatives, comparisons between global food production and local food, food safety, food labeling, food waste, and succession planning. To learn more and get registered, go to www. governorsagforum.com. For those who need accommodations, information for booking rooms at the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel (3801 Quebec St.) can also be made at the Governor’s Forum website.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Agriculture Progress
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Slow to take off, biofuel crops explored SAN LUIS VALLEY—Driving down the road, with gas prices on a rollercoaster, the mind turns to search for a better way. Oil is a fossil fuel and the supply is finite, so growing fuel crops is becoming attractive — and possible. In the San Luis Valley, interest in growing crops for synthetic fuels remains strong, anchored by Costilla County’s successful biodiesel plant at Mesita and the mixing plant operated by Alta Fuels at Alamosa. While canola has been the top oil crop under production, some farmers have been experimenting with sunflowers. Fields around Conejos County are covered with sunflowers and eyes turn toward an alternative use for the sunny plant. Camelina, a nonfood oilseed crop, can be a valuable biofuel crop because it can grow on poorer quality farmland and needs little irrigation and fertilizer. It also can be rotated with wheat. Camelina could give farmers an extra biofuel crop that wouldn’t be competing with food production,” Colorado State University researchers reported. “This research can add value to the local agricultural economy by creating an additional crop that could fit in with the crop rotation.” Research is being done on a variety of uses for these crops including biofuel, health benefits and other trials. Each crop and project has a dedicated Seen by many as a weed, sunflowers bring hope for biofuels. page with updated results and information. A team of researchers at prestigious Princeton University has suggested that the United States could eliminate the need for crude oil by using a combination of coal, natural gas and non-food crops to make synthetic fuel. While some energy sources are limited here, the Valley seems to have been created for agriculture, so innovative crops are on the horizon. COLORADO — The Colorado Department of Agriculture recently unveiled Since plants absorb carbon dioxide to grow, Cultivating Colorado, a magazine and web program that promotes and educates how vehicle greenhouse emissions could be cut by as the food and agriculture community contributes to Colorado’s economic well-being. much as 50 percent in the next several decades Stories highlight Colorado’s food producers, the local community and farm using non-food crops to create liquid fuels, the families. Articles focus on the state’s innovation in industrial hemp; the Colorado researchers said. Cattlemen’s Association’s 150-year anniversary; the strong potato crop; and the The chemistry is complicated, but it basically flourishing field corn sector. takes the carbon and hydrogen from the feedstock Find more innovative and engaging content about Colorado’s food and agriculture and reassembles them into the complex chains at Colorado.gov. Cultivating Colorado is part of FarmFlavor.com, a national food that make up fuels like gasoline and diesel. and farming website that profiles America’s hardworking farmers and ranchers, and The research is important part of a white paper connects consumers to the country’s vital agriculture industry. The website includes recently produced by the American Institute of recipes, data-based facts about U.S. agriculture and overviews of the farmers who Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the nation’s largproduce our food, fuel and fiber. est chemical engineering association. Chemical For a free digital version of the magazine optimized for iPads, tablets and other engineers call for a greater integration of energy mobile devices, visit www.farmflavor.com/colorado/cultivating-colorado-2017. sources and urge policymakers to consider chemiJournal Communications Inc. publishes Cultivating Colorado, a print and digical conversion processes as a potential method to tal content marketing program, which has support from and targeted distribution produce cleaner and cheaper fuels. through the Colorado Department of Agriculture. In the Princeton research, it was found that synthetic fuel plants could produce gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels at competitive prices, depending on the price of crude oil and the type of feedstock used to create the synthetic fuel. About two-thirds of crude oil consumed by the United States is used for transportation fuel, according to the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA said the United States imports about 45 percent of its annual crude oil consumption. The U.S. government and the Defense Department have studied synthetic fuels as a way to supply transportation fuel without depending on overseas suppliers.
Photo by Sylvia Lobato
‘Cultivating Colorado’ promotes Colorado’s food, agriculture industry
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Agriculture Progress
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Hemp industry continues to grow in Valley BY LYNDSIE FERRELL
SAN LUIS VALLEY— Jim and Lisa Strang, owners of Green Acres Hemp Farm, are gearing up for another successful year in the hemp industry. The controversial sister plant to the legal marijuana plant has been making headlines over the past several months as the first of several laws are changing to allow the growth and production of the fibrous plant emerges on the national scene. The use and healing powers of the hemp plant are not unfamiliar to the Strangs. Having dealt in the business of producing CBD (cannabidiol) goods for several years, the couple knows firsthand the benefits of the plant and all it has to offer. Jim Strang has made it his life’s journey to help educate the public on the benefits of the plant and was very successful in growing one of the first and largest crops south of Alamosa last summer. The crop covered two acres of land next to a barley field and exceeded the desired outcome. With spring on the horizon, Strang and his wife are looking forward to getting back out on the road and hitting all of the local and neighboring farmers markets to continue to spread the word on hemp. In addition to their annual outdoor crop, the Strangs have also started an indoor grow operation that has yielded a beautiful and lively crop of hemp plants that will hopefully be used medicinally for young children who suffer from seizures. The strain of hemp being grown inside is similar to a strain of marijuana known as Charlotte’s Web in honor of the popular children’s story with the hope that it will go on to help children in their fight against several ailments. Strang was able to clone 300 plants from a medicinally approved plant and is continuing his efforts to break into
the medical field and to offer the benefits of the plant to ill patients of all ages. According to Strang, their online presence has grown in the last year after spending most of their summer advertising and educating people from all over the country. “We started this with very little and slowly but surely the business is beginning to take off,” said Strang. During the winter, Strang and his wife traveled as far as Arizona to sell their products in an off-season market and were pleased to find even more interest outside of the Valley. This year, Strang hopes to increase his crop a few more acres, bringing the total up to almost four acres. Strang is working with a silent partner who is providing the land where the hemp crop is being planted. Last year, the two-acre crop grew above 12 feet in height and was so thick, Strang couldn’t even walk through the rows. Strang is using his experience to learn about the plant and is trying new innovative ways to make the crop healthier and stronger as they progress into the future. One of the main difficulties that Strang found came during harvest when he was unable to figure out a sufficient way to cut the plant. “The stalks were so thick and strong not even an alfalfa machine would cut through the crop. They make specialty equipment specifically for hemp crops for this reason but they are very expensive and can only be found in places like Italy and Canada,” explained Strang. In his efforts to learn new things, Strang is also hoping to gain the attention of other organizations or schools that would be willing to help in his efforts to create a processing facility in the Valley that would not only create jobs, but allow the products to be sold at decent prices. For more information, visit www.greenacreshempfarm.com
Courtesy Photos
The crop from last year grew over 12 feet in height. Jim and Lisa Strang will be gearing up for their busy season at the local farmers markets this spring.
A new strain of hemp plants being grown indoors by owners of Green Acres Hemp Farm will hopefully be used to help treat children suffering from seizures.
Gardner seeks input from farmers and ranchers WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) sent a letter to Don Shawcroft, President of the Colorado Farm Bureau, asking for input from him and farmers and ranchers across the state on what legislative priorities are important to Colorado’s agriculture communities. Gardner is a passionate advocate for farmers, ranchers and rural Coloradans and has spent his time in public office championing agriculture. Last year, Gardner was awarded the Colorado Farm Bureau’s Service to Agriculture Award. The Service to Agriculture Award is given to one individual within the Colorado Farm Bureau and one individual outside of the organization annually to recognize their service to the industry and is the organization’s highest honor. In August, Gardner concluded his Second Annual Colorado Farm Tour – meeting with local farm bureaus, traveling over 1,600 miles, making more than 30 stops, and visiting 27 counties on the Western Slope and Eastern Plains. The letter reads in full:
“Dear Don: “I write to thank you for the service you provide to Colorado agriculture and the 36,000 farms and ranches across the state that depend on the services provided by organizations like the Colorado Farm Bureau. “As we move forward into a new Congress and new Administration, I want to hear from Colorado Farm Bureau and our state’s farmers and ranchers on how we can work together to support growth in Colorado’s agriculture industry. With various commodity prices dropping close to 20 percent between 2013 and 2015, I would like to know what legislative priorities you believe will assist in helping to turn around this trend. “Whether it is regulations or legislation, it is important for the Administration and Congress to understand the impact of their policies, and agriculture is no exception. I look forward to hearing from you and farmers and ranchers throughout the state on how we can work together to ensure Colorado agriculture continues to be effectively represented in Washington.”
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Agriculture Progress
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Harvesting sunbeams both profitable and economical
SAN LUIS VALLEY— Solar in the Valley has come a long way over the course of several years beginning with a field developed by SunEdison near Mosca in 2007. The field produced six megawatts of electricity that was distributed to Xcel Energy. The San Luis Valley is an ideal location for alternative energy sources. An average of 350 days of sun and almost a constant breeze floating through the Valley creates the perfect atmosphere for the industry to grow. In May of 2012, a company known as Cogentrix hit the scene in Alamosa County and has since created a name for themselves in the solar industry. On May 10 of that year the company announced that the largest photovoltaic electric power generating facility began operating in the San Luis Valley with plans to not only expand, but to produce power for thousands of people. According to an article provided about that day, “The Alamosa Solar project site is approximately 225 acres and consists of over 500 dual-axis, pedestal mounted tracker assemblies, each capable of producing approximately 60 kilowatts of electricity from the sun. Each tracker assembly is 70 feet wide by 50 feet high and contains 7,560 Fresnel lenses that concentrate sunlight by a multiple of 500 onto multijunction solar cells developed originally as part of the US space program. The construction of the facility was contracted to M.A. Mortenson Co.” The facility changed the way people perceived solar power, bringing a new light to the topic from around the world. The Valley soon became home to other solar companies paving the way for a large industry. According to the Pueblo Chieftain, a company called SunPower opened the new plant right before the holidays in 2015 which can provide energy to 13,500 Colorado homes and use an estimated 75 percent less water than other plants in the area. The new plant sits on 320 acres in Alamosa County and will produce a fair amount of jobs for the local economy, though an estimated number has not been disclosed. In January 2015, Community Energy, Inc. announced completion of 500 kw of community solar generation in Antonito, and 44 commercial and residential customers subscribed to receive power from the project under a long-term service agreement that allows customers to receive a 10 percent discount on their electricity costs. As a community solar project under the Colorado Community Solar Gardens Act, subscribers receive a credit for solar generation from the project directly on their utility electric bill. This is now being offered to consumers around the San Luis Valley. Brent Alderfer, president of Community Energy, Inc., is enthusiastic. “Thanks to Xcel Energy’s ‘Solar On The Bill’ program and industry-leading financing, we can offer long-term solar power to electric customers who want to make solar happen without putting it on their roof.” Antonito Solar is on 3.5 acres of an old illegal dump, built by Namasté Solar Electric using ReneSola solar modules and ATI single-axis trackers. With this latest tracking technology the solar modules follow the sun each day as it tracks from east to west, allowing the project to generate 1,114,000 kilowatt hours of fuel-free, solar-generated electricity each year, about enough to power more than 100 homes.
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Courtesy photo
The Summitville portion of the Antonito Solar Garden ships inexpensive energy to a remote mountain area where panels would nvot work before. Antonito subscribers share the benefits, along with a credit on their home utility bills. The remote Summitville Superfund site has harvested some of Antonito’s garden and cut its electrical costs in the process. While solar panels wouldn’t work at the high mountain mine reclamation site, tying into the array on the flatlands below did. Continuing interest in solar was evident in February 2016 when representatives of the Clean Energy Collective pitched a shared plan to the Conejos Board of County Commissioners. With CEC, they said, subscribers could actually own, not lease, part of a local clean energy power plant and be directly credited on each electric bill for the power produced, thus saving money. Interest in solar energy is spreading. Large solar farms around the Valley were once the nation’s largest, but are rivaled by installations in other desert areas, as well as far away lands such as Dubai. It all boils down to one thing. Harvesting sunbeams is both profitable and economical, not to mention a clean way of powering the area.
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Agriculture Progress
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Alfalfa prices headed down again this year By Teresa L. Benns SAN LUIS VALLEY — To the chagrin of hay producers, prices this year will probably remain about the same as last year if the weather cooperates, a reflection of the fluctuating supply and demand in the current market. An Agweb article is reporting that grains and alfalfa have been lower than average over the last several months but premium hay producers won’t suffer as much from fluctuating prices. Fortunately Colorado, including the San Luis Valley, is one of he nation’s more prolific premium hay producers. But this isn’t much comfort to hay growers whose product falls in the fair category, and premium prices, growers feel, could be higher. “Harvest is good, prices are not,” Will Albertson of Moonlight Farms in Center said Sept. 21 of last year. He characterized prices as “down a bunch” from last year. San Luis Valley Area alfalfa large squares were listed at Supreme $150 and good $105. (https:// brianallmerradionetwork.wordpress.com/tag/ colorado-crop-progress-report/) Farm Service Center Co. owner John Drake predicted in mid-January of 2015 that 2016 would be another marginal year. Because of the decline, some alfalfa farmers have dug up their stands and are replacing them with other crops. The annual average for alfalfa acres is 60,000 these days, but Valley producers only harvested about 55,000 acres in alfalfa last year. One government report released in 2010
Photo by Teresa Benns
The annual average for alfalfa acres is 60,000 these days, but Valley producers only harvested about 55,000 acres in alfalfa last year. shows close to 94,000 acres of alfalfa were then growing in the Valley annually. This was down considerably from 140,000 acres grown in 1998, according to a previous report from Colorado State University. According to one website, hay prices rebounded in the Midwest last year, but plunged in the West. Some of the reasons offered for the disparity are the fact that western state dairies have reduced the amount of hay they are feeding their herds. Dairy livestock also are still feeding on hay purchased in 2015, when many dairy farmers were making good money and stocked up.
There are concerns in the industry that alfalfa quality may not be able to keep up with demand, although this should right itself in the future, experts say. Growing conditions in the Midwest in 2016 resulted in a lower-quality hay product, owing to rains and severe weather. Dairies need a higher quality hay to support milk production. (See http://www.agweb.com/article/2016outlook-can-hay-quality-keep-up-with-demand-naa-anna-lisa-laca/). New varieties of alfalfa show promise in maintaining and increasing hay quality and increasing profits. Varieties containing a lower
lignin content (lignin is necessary to plant growth but not digestible in the cow gut) show a considerable increase in milk production and decrease in manure production, as well as a nice profit increase. Efforts also are being made to produce varieties higher in tannin content, which also could increase net returns to dairy farmers. The tannin helps alfalfa crops utilize nitrogen more efficiently. Higher levels of tannin also reduce the need for protein supplements for dairy herds. (See http://www.agweb.com/article/new-alfalfa-varieties-promise-improvedprofitability-naa-anna-lisa-laca/).
Increasing awareness of Colorado potatoes BY ANTHONY GUERRERO SAN LUIS VALLEY— The Colorado Potato Administrative Committee (CPAC) continues to strengthen its marketing game. After great success with videos in 2016 the organization is continuing the efforts. To increase awareness of Colorado potatoes, their nutritional value and the delicious recipes that can be made with them, CPAC is releasing instructions for potato noodles in a partnership with ABC in Denver. “We are continuing to focus on digital marketing and build on the success of last year’s campaigns. We’re utilizing recipe videos to increase awareness for Colorado potatoes, as well as show consumers new and different ways to prepare potatoes. We launched a campaign in December with ABC in Denver and so far have seen a lot
of success. We’re excited about this partnership because it will allow us to reach a much larger target market than we have in the past. This is really a big step in creating awareness for Colorado potatoes outside of Colorado. Our newest video is for Colorado potato noodles, which essentially involves spiralizing potatoes to use in place of noodles,” said CPAC Marketing Administrative Assistant Savannah Schlaufman. There are two different video versions of the recipe. There is a quicker version for use on social media and a long form version. This video campaign is also focused on Millennials and their increasing buying power throughout the United States. That is why social media is being used in a unique manner for this three-month campaign. The short video is 40 seconds with the longer form being about four minutes long.
“The recipe was developed by Chef Jason Morse of 5280 Culinary, and he is featured in the long-form video. Much like with Colorado waffle iron potatoes, we are focusing on recipes that can be modified. That way, after people watch them, they can use their own creativity to mix up the dish,” said Schlaufman. Morse is shown in the video creating noodles out of Colorado potatoes. In his video he mixes the potato noodles with pulled pork. The potatoes are gluten-free and can be substituted in all favorite noodle recipes. “The possibilities are limitless. Those potato noodles are a pallet and it’s up to
you to create your potato noodle masterpiece,” said Morse. CPAC also reported that they have partnered with Produce for Kids and their “We Love RDs” program. RD refers to a registered dietitian. “This program delivers tool-kits to in-store registered dietitians and nutritionists. In March and April, these tool-kits will feature Colorado potato products, for both the RDs and for them to hand out to customers in their stores. RDs will also have access to our variety and nutrition guide, as well as our activity book for kids to teach their customers more about potatoes,” said Schlaufman.
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Chef Jason Morse demonstrates a new and exciting way to prepare potatoes. Delicious potato noodles are gluten-free and versatile enough to be substituted into all of your favorite noodle recipes. Here, Chef Jason tops them with pulled pork, slaw and barbecue sauce for a tasty dish.
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Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Agriculture Progress
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Agriculture Progress
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Light winter, heavy rains blessing for Valley ranchers BY ANTHONY GUERRERO
SAN LUIS VALLEY— Valley livestock producers are busy growing, and feeding their animals. The warm weather this year has made it easy for animals to graze and they have not had to endure very many days of cold weather. The warmth also helps to give livestock the energy they need to keep moving forward. There has been some recent storms which may have minor effects. Marvin Reynolds, area director for the Colorado State University-San Luis Valley Extension office, gave an optimistic report and overview of the livestock in the Valley. “Livestock adjust to the weather pretty well. They change their hair coat. A lot of them also adjust their undercoat and it keeps them warm. Their outer coat deflects the wind away from their body. They stay pretty warm and make that change naturally,” said Reynolds. Reynolds explained that Valley ranchers also do some extra stuff to help the animals in the event of cold weather. “We try to provide shelter, and we change their feed a little bit to meet energy requirement. Cold weather does change the need for more energy in the feed,” he said. “The weather has been fluctuating although it’s been pretty warm. When it does get cold it makes it harder for them to get around and they want to find areas where there’s less snow if they’re still out grazing. It’s hard on them to adjust to warm then cold weather just like it is on people,” said Reynolds. In the months of January and February ranchers begin their annual calving season. “Calving season is a big time of year for ranchers. This is what they work for all year and do for a living. At this time of year the ranchers have to go out in the middle of the night to check on
the livestock. They have to be checking every few hours. Most animals have their young at night and livestock are no exception,” stated Reynolds. The area director reported that local ranchers are also switching to later months for calving. “We’re seeing some increase in ranchers waiting until March and April. This gets them out of the snow and the cold. It also helps them to use nature as a resource. About three months before and after calving is when the animals need the best nutrition they can get. Going to a more spring based calving season helps since that’s when the green grass starts to grow,” said Reynolds. According to Reynolds, the Valley produces a variety of purebred and commercial livestock. These include animals such as sheep, cows, goats, horses, a growing number of chickens, feeders, yearlings and breeders. There are also some alternative livestock being produced in the Valley. These include things such as llamas, yacks, bison elk and stock dogs. Elk can be seen west of Antonito and by Del Norte. “This year people have held on or bought more cows because there is good grass. We’re also seeing an increase in goats around the Valley. Things such as sheep and cattle are holding really strong in number,” said Reynolds. Chicken and egg production continues to increase with some farmers trying to expand their operations. “They (chickens) are raised mostly in the summer,” said Reynolds. There are some farmers who may be looking to expand to raising them all year long. Production of these commodities have increased greatly over the last few years. Reynolds estimated that there are about 10,000 chickens being raised in the San Luis Valley. “We’re a really unique
Photo by Anthony Guerrero
area in poultry production,” he said. Commercial egg production also continues to look good. Farm raised eggs are a good industry. “They’re doing really good and strong around here. We’re headed in a good direction,” said Reynolds. Reynolds also commented on hay prices. “Hay production is up this year. However,
hay prices are way down. There were some that got rained on. I’ve seen some hay start to move the last few months. I know some other places around the country had some issues with their hay so the Valley may help them out,” said Reynolds. No significant diseases were reported in 2016 among the livestock.
Don’t lose your brand; assessment fees due COLORADO—Livestock brands are vital to protecting Colorado’s livestock industry and are an important part of the state’s history and culture. The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Brand Inspection Division reminds brand owners that the brand assessment fee for the five-year assessment period beginning Jan. 1 are due and must be paid by June 30. The assessment fee is $300 and is good for the five-year assessment period. Payment must be received by the Brand Inspection Division at 305 Interlocken Parkway, Broomfield, CO 80021 by 5 p.m. on June 30. Postmarks cannot be considered. Payments received after that date will be subject to late fees and may result in forfeiture of the brand. “Livestock inspection has been an integral part of Colorado’s agricultural history for over 150 years. Inspection serves several purposes, including verifying ownership, deterring theft, facilitating the return of stolen or missing livestock, facilitating commerce, protecting livestock owners and financial institutions and creating an accurate record of livestock movements in the event of disease outbreaks,” said Chris Whitney, CDA’s Brand Commissioner. The Brand Inspection Division’s mission is
to protect the livestock industry from loss by theft, straying or illegal butchering. That mission encompasses several responsibilities, including: Preventing the theft of livestock, returning stolen or missing livestock, and investigating reports of both. Inspecting livestock and verifying ownership prior to (i) a change of ownership, (ii) transport over 75 miles within Colorado, (iii) transport out of Colorado, (iv) transport to sale, and (v) transport to slaughter. Licensing public livestock markets/sale barns, and inspecting livestock consignments before sale. Licensing certified feedlots and administering the certified feedlot program. Licensing and inspecting alternative livestock (domestic elk and fallow deer) and alternative livestock facilities. Recording and administering Colorado’s approximately 32,750 registered livestock brands. In fiscal year 2016 brand inspectors traveled over 1.1 million miles inspecting approximately 3.8 million head of livestock. For more information, visit www.colorado. gov/agbrands.
Deadline approaching for inclusion in annual farm fresh publication COLORADO—Growers can market their products to consumers statewide through the annual Colorado Farm Fresh Directory. Published by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Farm Fresh promotes Colorado farmers’ markets, roadside stands, u-picks, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) producers, agritourism activities and farms and ranches that sell direct to the public. The 2017 edition is being organized, and producers are encouraged to submit their information for inclusion. “Farm Fresh continues to be our most popular consumer publication,” said Wendy White, marketing specialist at the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “It is a great way
for producers to market their products and for consumers to find local foods.” Nearly 100,000 copies of the publication will be distributed in June to consumers through libraries, extension offices, farmers’ markets, welcome centers, chambers of commerce, home milk delivery services and other businesses. In addition, Farm Fresh will be available as a mobile app for smartphones and online at www.coloradoagriculture.com. The fee to be included in the directory is $25, and the listing deadline is February 15, 2017. For more information or to request a listing form, contact Loretta Lopez at (303) 869-9175 or visit www.coloradoagriculture. com.
PUBLIC AUCTION
We will hold our 27th Annual SLV Machinery & Equipment Consignment Sale at the Monte Vista Co-op
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Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Agriculture Progress
Page 9
Early storms bring hope, not solution to water woes
SAN LUIS VALLEY—Water year 2017, which began Oct. 1, 2016, got off to an extremely slow start. Precipitation came in the form of rain, and warm autumn temperatures prevented snow from accumulating in all but the highest elevations. According to the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), snowpack accumulation, so crucial to agricultural and municipal water supplies, had been off to its worst start in more than 32 years in Colorado, at six percent of normal as of Nov. 17. “At that point, prospects for reaching normal snowpack conditions by Jan. 1 were bleak, and chances of achieving normal snowpack by late April, when snowpack typically peaks, looked doubtful,” Brian Domonkos, NRCS snow survey supervisor in Colorado, said in a news release. Then a series of storms began Nov. 17, resulting in a statewide gain of 7.4 inches of snow water equivalent through the end of the year, the fastest rate of gain over that time period since 1986. The National Weather Service said weather in the west currently remains under the influence of a weak La Niña pattern. La Niñas are associated with lower-than-normal surface ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, and in Colorado tend to produce more snowfall in northern Colorado than southern Colorado. But these are trends that aren’t carved in stone. The recent string of storms have dumped so much heavy, wet snow that they’ve triggered avalanches — or fears of sliding snow — that closed several high mountain passes as the
new year began. Colorado Division of Water Resources Division 3 Engineer Craig Cotten recently said the Rio Grande Basin exceeded 100 percent of average for this time of year — 117 percent of average on Jan. 4 — even before the current storm was factored in. However, Cotten said the basin is still slightly below where it was this time last year. The Conejos River system hasn’t come close to an average year for some time. Cotton said the northern part of the San Luis Valley has experienced more moisture than the southern part in the last several years, with flooding even occurring in some areas last year. Water storage is looking good as well, according to the NRCS. “Given current reservoir capacity, the collective storage in the majority of Colorado’s river basins will be well poised to provide adequate water supply if the above normal precipitation and snowpack trends experienced during December do not continue for the remainder of the water year,” according to a start-of-the-year water supply outlook for Colorado. No matter what Mother Nature decides to do, the weather continues to pose challenges to San Luis Valley farmers and ranchers, although 2016 proved to be more of an average water Courtesy photos year than some in recent history. If snow continues in the San Juan Mountains as it did at the fi rst of 2017, the water year The primary land use of more than 600,000 acres of irrigated land is in agricultural opera- should be outstanding. tions in the central portion of the basin. The rivers deliver the melted snow in the typical high spring runoff pattern. There is also significant groundwater pumping to support agricultural production.
Snowpack on the San Luis Valley floor Jan. 7 illustrates the problems a future water blessing can create.
Water workshop for agriculture producers set for Feb. 28 ALAMOSA— Rio Grande Basin Ag Producers’ Water Future Workshop will be held on Feb. 28, at the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, 8805 Independence Way, Alamosa. The workshop will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. There is no cost. Register at riograndeag@eventbrite.com or call Judy Lopez at 719-580-5300. For more information contact Judy Lopez at jlopez@coloradoopenlands.org or 719-5805300 or Helen Smith at hssissy@gmail.com. Workshop topics include: “Motivations
for Ag Producers to Use Their Water Differently;” “What Do Colorado Ag Producers Think About Ag Water Leasing?;” “Leasing water in the Arkansas Valley;” “Alternatives to Permanent Fallowing;” “Thinking about Water as Crop;” “Ag/Urban Partnership Concepts;” “Conejos ATM Project;” “LeaseFallowing Tool” and more. Speakers will include representatives from the Colorado Water Institute, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Division of Water Resources, City of Aurora and Conejos Water Conservancy District.
Page 10
Agriculture Progress
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
It’s now easier to transfer land to the next generation
COLORADO— Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Lanon Baccam announced that beginning Jan. 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers an early termination opportunity for certain Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts, making it easier to transfer property to the next generation of farmers and ranchers, including family members. The land that is eligible for the early termination is among the least environmentally sensitive land enrolled in CRP. This change to the CRP program is just one of many that USDA has implemented based on recommendations from the Land Tenure Advisory Subcommittee formed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in 2015. The subcommittee was asked to identify ways the department could use or modify its programs, regulations, and practices to address the challenges of beginning farmers and ranchers in their access to land, capital and technical assistance. “The average age of principal farm operators is 58,” said Baccam. “So, land tenure, succession and estate planning, and access to land is an increasingly important issue for the future of agriculture and a priority for USDA. Access to land remains the biggest barrier for beginning farmers and ranchers. This announcement is part of our efforts to address some of the challenges with transitioning land to beginning farmers.” Baccam made the announcement while touring the Joe Dunn farm in Warren County, located in central Iowa near Carlisle. Dunn is the father-in-law to Iowa native and former Marine Aaron White, who with his wife, are prospective candidates for the early termination program. Baccam was joined by Farm Service Agency Iowa State Executive Director John Whitaker when meeting with Dunn and White. “The chance to give young farmers a better opportunity to succeed when starting a farming career makes perfect sense,” said Baccam. “There are Conservation Reserve
Photo by Teresa Benns
Early termination opportunity now makes it easier to transfer property to the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Program acres that are rested and ready to through a sale or lease with an option to buy. Transition of Agricultural Land survey, be productive, an original goal of CRP. The With CRP enrollment close to the Congres- conducted by USDA in 2014, U.S. farmland technical teams at USDA will tell us which sionally-mandated cap of 24 million acres, owners expect to transfer 93 million acres ones can terminate from the program with the early termination will also allow USDA to new ownership during 2015-2019. This little impact on the overall conservation ef- to enroll other land with higher conservation represents 10 percent of all farmland across the nation. Details on the early termination forts. When they do, we’ll be ready to help value elsewhere. “Starting the next generation of farmers opportunity will be available starting on Jan. beginning farmers like military veteran and ranchers out with conservation and 9, 2017, at local USDA service centers. For Aaron White.” Normally if a landowner terminates a CRP stewardship in mind is another important part more information about CRP and to find out contract early, they are required to repay all of this announcement,” Baccam said. “The if your acreage is eligible for early contract previous payments plus interest. The new land coming out of CRP will have priority termination, contact your local Farm Service policy waives this repayment if the land is enrollment opportunities with USDA’s work- Agency (FSA) office or go online at www. transferred to a beginning farmer or rancher ing lands conservation programs through co- fsa.usda.gov/crp. To locate your local FSA operation between the Farm Service Agency office, visit http://offices.usda.gov. Since 2009, USDA has invested more than and the Natural Resources Conservation $29 billion to help producers make conservaService.” Acres terminated early from CRP under tion improvements, working with as many as these land tenure provisions will be eligible 500,000 farmers, ranchers and landowners to for priority enrollment consideration into the protect over 400 million acres nationwide, CRP Grasslands, if eligible; or the Conserva- boosting soil and air quality, cleaning and tion Stewardship Program or Environmental conserving water and enhancing wildlife Quality Incentives Program, as determined habitat. For an interactive look at USDA’s by the Natural Resources Conservation work in conservation and forestry over the course of this Administration, visit http:// Service. According to the Tenure, Ownership and medium.com/usda-results. File Photo
Various fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (also floriculture), including tomatoes, asparagus and cauliflower are considered specialty crops.
Grants available to benefit Colorado’s specialty crops COLORADO— Colorado produces a wide variety of specialty crops, from peaches and apples to chiles and hops. To help develop and promote the state’s specialty crops, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is seeking proposals for the Specialty Crops Block Grant Program. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, and nursery crops including floriculture and sod. “This grant program provides a great opportunity for producer groups, researchers and organizations to improve how they grow, process and market specialty crops,” said Glenda Mostek, CDA Marketing Specialist. “We hope our new application process this year will provide us with a wide variety of projects and applicants.” In recent years, funds have been awarded to dozens of organizations to help implement research and consumer promotions. These grants included Fort Lewis College to evaluate high altitude production of hops varieties and create grower alliances to assist with production and marketing, and Slow Food Denver to create youth farmers’ markets.
The grant program is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which partners with state departments of agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop producers in areas such as marketing, promotion, education, research, trade and nutrition. CDA anticipates that approximately $500,000 will be available for this year’s grant program, with approved projects starting early in 2018. Producer groups, organizations, and associations, as well as state and local organizations, academia and other specialty crops stakeholders are eligible to apply either as single entities or in combined efforts. Grants must impact the specialty crop industry as a whole and cannot be used to solely enhance an individual farming operation or business. The grant application process has changed this year. The initial phase of grant selection will involve shorter, concept proposals. Concept proposals must be received electronically by close of business (5 p.m.) on March 1. For program guidelines and an application, visit www.colorado.gov/ag/ specialtycropgrant or call 303-869-9173.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Agriculture Progress
Page 11
USDA provides new cost share opportunities
COLORADO— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that beginning March 20 organic producers and handlers will be able to visit over 2,100 USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices to apply for federal reimbursement to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic or transitional certification. “USDA reimburses organic producers up to 75 percent of the cost of organic certification, but only about half of the nation’s organic operations currently participate in the program,� said FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. “Starting March 20, USDA will provide a uniform, streamlined process for organic producers and handlers to apply for organic cost share assistance either by mail or in person at USDA offices located
in almost every rural county in the country.� USDA is making changes to increase participation in the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost Share Program, and at the same time provide more opportunities for organic producers to access other USDA programs, such as disaster protection and loans for farms, facilities and marketing. Producers can also access information on nonfederal agricultural resources, and get referrals to local experts, including organic agriculture, through USDA’s Bridges to Opportunity service at the local FSA office. Historically, many state departments of agriculture have obtained grants to disburse reimbursements to those producers and han-
dlers qualifying for cost share assistance. FSA will continue to partner with states to administer the programs. For states that want to continue to directly administer the programs, applications will be due Feb. 17. “The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the National Organic Program look forward to this exciting opportunity to leverage the Farm Service Agency’s rural footprint to reach more organic producers and handlers,� said AMS Administrator Elanor Starmer. “At the same time it is important to recognize and continue the valuable partnerships with states that remain at the core of the program.� Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic or transitional certification fees to a USDA-
accredited certifying agent. Application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement/ arrangement requirements, travel/per diem for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage are all eligible for a cost share reimbursement from USDA. Once certified, producers and handlers are eligible to receive reimbursement for up to 75 percent of certification costs each year up to a maximum of $750 per certification scope—crops, livestock, wild crops and handling. Today’s announcement also adds transitional certification and state organic program fees as additional scopes. To learn more about organic certification cost share, please visit www.fsa.usda.gov/ organic or contact a local FSA office by visiting http://offices.usda.gov.
Well rule negotiations underway STAFF REPORT
ALAMOSA — With the water court trial now “only� a year away, folks at the Colorado Division of Water Resources are diligently negotiating with objectors to the Rio Grande Basin’s groundwater rules to shorten the 2018 trial to something less than the eight weeks currently scheduled. “It would be nice to reach settlements with all the objectors before we go to trial,� Division of Water Resources Division 3 Engineer Craig Cotten said in early January. “That’s definitely possible.� He said State Engineer Dick Wolfe was able to resolve all objections to irrigation rules in the Arkansas River Basin several years ago short of trial, so he is hopeful the same could happen here as well. The state water office filed groundwater rules affecting most irrigation and commercial wells in the Rio Grande Basin (the San Luis Valley) a little more than a year ago. The rules will go into effect once litigation regarding them has been resolved and the water court judge approves them. About 30 statements of opposition were filed to the proposed rules, but many of those statements were actually in support of the rules. They had to be submitted in that form, however. “We are continuing to meet with the objectors,� Cotten said this week. “We have met with all the objectors at least once to hear their concerns. That’s going well.� The water office has reached a settlement with one of the objectors, with concerns of at
Courtesy photo
least one more being fully addressed. “We’ve still got a ways to go,� Cotten said. He explained that about one third of the 30 objectors have relatively minor concerns with the rules, so hopefully those concerns can be resolved. Meanwhile, however, the water division is preparing for trial. For example, reports from the state experts were due to the court on Thursday. Quite a number of people will be designated as state experts for the trial including Division 3 Division Engineer Cotten and Division 3 Assistant Division Engineer James Heath from the local water office and State
Colorado Leopold Conservation AwardÂŽ program seeks nominees
COLORADO – Applications are now being accepted for the prestigious Leopold Conservation AwardŽ honoring agricultural landowners in Colorado who demonstrate outstanding stewardship and management of natural resources. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the $10,000 award recognizes private landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. It is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and American AgCredit. Applications are due by Feb. 27. Finalists and recipient will be announced by April. For complete application information, visit www. leopoldconservationaward.org. In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, which he called “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.� “The outstanding agricultural landowners we honor with the Leopold Conservation Award exemplify what it means to be leaders in conservation for the benefit of our environment,� said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation president. President of the Colorado Cattlemen’s As-
sociation Tim Lehmann noted that “keeping working lands in working hands yield amazing conservation results for the environment, society and our economy. The Leopold Conservation Award celebrates this ideology and is advanced through those who apply for this amazing recognition and honor.� “The Leopold Conservation Award is a powerful reminder that production agriculture has both the opportunity and the responsibility to give back to the land,� said Terry Lindley, chief marketing officer of American AgCredit. “Tri-State and its member electric cooperatives are proud to support the Leopold Conservation Award,� said Mike McInnes, chief executive officer of Tri-State. “The environmental stewardship recognized with the award reflects the strong conservation ethic of rural communities and their electric cooperatives.� Award applicants are judged based on their demonstration of improved resource conditions, innovation, long-term commitment to stewardship, sustained economic viability, community and civic leadership, and multiple use benefits. The Colorado award is sponsored by TriState Generation and Transmission Assoc., American AgCredit, The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, The Nature Conservancy, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Engineer Wolfe and Deputy State Engineer Mike Sullivan from the state water office, in addition to modeling experts contracted by the state. After the state filed its expert reports, experts from the state and objectors will have to meet to discuss their reports within 49 days, Cotten explained. He added that even if all the objections are resolved, the water court would still have to hold an abbreviated trial as scheduled in early 2018 to receive the evidence and stipulated agreements. The court has scheduled the trial to begin on Jan. 2, 2018.
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Agriculture Progress
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
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