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Pleased let us know if you have special needs due to disabilities. Call Maxine at 719-852-7381 by February 6th. Conference Sponsored By: Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Trade Fair Sponsored By: Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce
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Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference & Trade Fair
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Conference offers info for upcoming year
BY MARVIN REYNOLDS
MONTE VISTA—The 2015 Southern Rocky Mountain Ag Conference includes three days of educational programs with a goal to help agriculture producers grow high quality crops. The conference runs Feb. 10-12 this year. As in the past, the first day of the conference is primarily dedicated to potatoes. Many of the topics will share information about the research being done at the San Luis Valley Research Center. While some of the program is taking place at Ski-Hi Park, for the first time this year there will also be educational programs taking place Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at the Vali Theatre in downtown Monte Vista. The hope is that these programs may interest a different audience than those at Ski-Hi Park at the same time. There will be a bus available to take people from Ski-Hi Park to the Vali Theatre and then back to Ski-Hi Park. The conference will begin on
Tuesday with an introduction by the Associate Dean of Agriculture at CSU, Dr. Jeffrey Steiner and Dr. Ryan Abbott, assistant director, Agricultural Experiment Station for CSU. Then the educational topics will begin with information on the Colorado Potato Breeding Program. Dr. David Holm will talk about where the program is and what the future holds. Later on Tuesday morning the educational program will move to managing Fortress Russet potatoes for tuber yield and Quality. What are the effects of a late season nitrogen application to storage quality of potatoes? We’ll find out. After break at Ski-Hi Park, an update on the post harvest testing will be presented, as will information from some of the potato industry support organizations. The morning at Ski-Hi will finish with an update on the use of PCR testing in the San Luis Valley. Tuesday afternoon will begin with information on controlling nematodes and then move to PVY management. This is different than in the program,
as to support our speakers from out of town, we have moved some topics around. The PVY management program will provide information on national research and research being done here in the San Luis Valley. Then after the break we’ll move the discussion to an explanation of the costs of potato production and how it has changed. Then the day will finish up with a social time where producers can visit with each other and some of the speakers. Day two of the conference (Wednesday) will begin with an introduction to UAVs or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones). This is a resource that has the potential to support agriculture using the newest technology. The morning will move along with information that will support soil health, which is the foundation of agriculture. There will be information about using green manure in crop rotations and also a look at the agricultural ecology and how local producers are using the concepts to farm in the San Luis Valley.
Changes to this year’s conference BY MARVIN REYNOLDS
MONTE VISTA—The 2015 Southern Rocky Mountain Ag Conference will have a number of changes this year. On Tuesday (Feb. 10) and Wednesday (Feb 11) mornings from the midmorning break (about 10 a.m.) until lunch, there will be the educational program at Ski-Hi Park, and there will also be educational programs on different topics held at the Vali Theatre in downtown Monte Vista. Transportation will be provided from Ski-Hi Park to the theatre and then back to Ski-Hi Park. As has been the custom, Tuesday, the first day of the conference, is primarily devoted to topics of interest to potato growers. While these educational programs will be taking place at Ski-Hi Park, there will be concurrent sessions for the conference downtown on alfalfa. There will be two alfalfa topics on Tuesday. The first is “Alfalfa Breeding and Trait Development.� This program will give producers an understanding of the traits that are important in the San Luis Valley
and neighboring areas. It will help alfalfa growers understand which alfalfa varieties have traits that will allow the alfalfa to have a long and productive life in the San Luis Valley. The second alfalfa topic is “Breeding for Salinity Tolerance in Alfalfa.� Salinity is an increase of soil minerals that can reduce the ability of a plant to transport water and nutrients into the plant. This can cause the plant to grow less than its optimum amount. Wednesday has traditionally been a day devoted to topics related to crops such as alfalfa, wheat and barley. We have also covered topics of general interest to all producers. That is the focus of the second day this year as well. The first concurrent session on Wednesday will be a discussion on “Conservation Plans for RMA Crop Insurance Subsidies.� There are some changes taking place in 2015 in insurance for crops. This educational program will help producers understand what insurance options they have and how to make a decision. The second program at the Vali Theatre will be “Bio-Control Products and Microbial Inoculants on
Columbia Root Knot Nematode Reproduction.� This program is a sharing of information on research being done here in the San Luis Valley on ways being explored to control the CRK Nematode. This information will help producers understand some of the new options being explored for controlling the nematode. Another change taking place for the first time in 2015 will be in the breakfast and lunch eating arrangements. Breakfast and lunch will be in the McMullen Building at Ski-Hi Park. In the past all meals and breaks were held in the main building. This year that space will be used to showcase additional trade show products during the conference. We will want to hear from the participants at the 2015 Southern Rocky Mountain Ag Conference on the changes made, whether or not they like the changes. The goal is to provide a pleasant education experience for the producers and the trade show participants. We have a limited amount of space and time, so we want to maximize the opportunities for those attending.
Governor Hickenlooper names new agriculture commissioner DENVER —Gov. John Hickenlooper announced at the end of January Don Brown will be the commissioner of agriculture, effective Feb. 17. He replaces John Salazar who retired last month, having served since 2011. “We are fortunate to welcome Don Brown to the team and thrilled to add his experience and leadership to Colorado’s thriving agriculture industry,� said Hickenlooper. “Agriculture is a critical sector for our economy, contributing $40 billion and providing nearly 173,000 jobs annually. Having Don at the helm, we know agriculture across Colorado will continue to grow.� As commissioner, Brown will lead the department’s daily operations, direct its 300 employees and oversee the agency’s seven divisions: animal health; brand inspection; Colorado State Fair; conservation services; inspection and consumer services; markets and plant industry. “It’s an honor and a privilege to
have an opportunity to work with Gov. Hickenlooper and the Department of Agriculture. To be able to contribute to the industry which I have so greatly benefited from is incredibly rewarding,� said Brown. “I have lived the life of those who the commissioner is to serve and I am committed to doing all I can to see that the industry continues to grow and that farmers and ranchers have every opportunity to succeed.� Brown, a third-generation farmer in Yuma County, has run several successful businesses while spending most of his career managing and growing his family’s extensive farm operations. He has also been active in water conservation, energy development and technology innovation issues within the industry. Brown is a recipient of the Bill Seward Memorial Award - Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Cattle Producer. He is active in the National Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, National
Corn Growers and the Colorado Corn Growers Association and has also served as president of the Yuma County Cattlemen’s Association and state president of the Future Farmers of America. Brown graduated with a degree in agriculture from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling and received a vocational agriculture education degree with honors from Colorado State University. About the Department of Agriculture The mission of the Department of Agriculture is to strengthen and advance Colorado agriculture; promote a safe, high quality, and sustainable food supply; and protect consumers, the environment, and natural resources. The vision of the Department of Agriculture is that Colorado agriculture be strong and vibrant, a key driver of the state’s economy, and recognized worldwide for its safe, affordable, and abundant supply of high quality food and agricultural products.
Then after the morning break Wednesday we’ll move on to information about the 2014 farm bill and an introduction to some of the main changes impacting farmers and ranchers. We’ll then talk about the commodity markets and how farmers and ranchers can use these to help with profitability. Then just before lunch at Ski-Hi Park the ARS staff, who do research in the San Luis Valley, will provide an update on the research they are doing. While some of the Wednesday morning sessions are taking place at Ski-Hi Park, there will be concurrent sessions taking place at the Vali Theatre. These topics will cover some new information on RMA insurance and the impacts on agriculture. Also, we’ll have an educational program on managing Colombia Root Knot Nematodes. On Wednesday afternoon, a speaker will provide some light entertainment, comedian Jerry Carroll. The afternoon will then move to a long-range weather forecast from Brian Bledsoe the senior meteorologist with KKTV 11 TV in Colorado Springs. We’ll finish the educational program with information on how local producers can help promote a health bee and other pollinator population. We’ll also hear about some of the challenges to pollinator health. The day will again finish with a social time to relax.
Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat. 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. 1
/2 mile east of La Jara on Sanford Hwy.
(719) 274-5857 Fax: 274-5766
The final day of the conference will be Thursday, Feb. 12. This day will focus on water-related issues in the San Luis Valley. This has been the focus of the last day of the conference for the last several years. There are many changes taking place with the water management of the San Luis Valley. We’ll hear about some of the changes that have taken place and some of what might be expected in the future. Some of what we will hear about will be the progress of some of the water sub-districts and where they are at in their development program. The morning will also have information on well rehabilitation techniques and why they are necessary. We’ll also hear about some of the new rules the state of Colorado has for water management. Thursday will finish up with training on the seven core credits needed for private pesticide applicators to complete their continuing education program. All seven credits will be covered for private applicators. These seven core credits will also help commercial applicators with some of their CEUs. This program will finish up about 4:30 or 5 p.m. After three full days, the conference will be complete and those who attended will take information home to digest and decide how they can use the information in the upcoming crop year.
Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sat. 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
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(719) 587-0338 Fax: 587-0471
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Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference & Trade Fair
Page 3
Leaving a lasting legacy As fresh as it gets
ALAMOSA—Many farm and ranch families are struggling with the many questions surrounding the transfer of their property to the next generation. How can I be fair to all the kids? Who will take over running this place? Who will take care of me in my last years, months, days? What can I do to help my passing be easier on those left behind? “I have received numerous calls and emails from people in San Luis Valley wanting information about succession and estate planning”, said Marvin Reynolds, CSU extension director for the San Luis Valley area. “This is a critical issue to get our youth back into our communities and the future of our farms and ranches.” Colorado State University Exten-
Jeff Tranel
sion will be offering a workshop on Feb. 18 at the Inn of the Rio Grande in Alamosa to help farm and ranch families find some answers to these and many other questions. Tranel and Dalsted will facilitate discussion, share resources and help participants “find some answers.” Jeff Tranel, agricultural and business economist with Colorado State University, has talked to many groups and with many individual farm and ranch families across the country during his 28-year career. As he witnessed families struggling with transferring everything to the next generation, he and two colleagues authored a program titled “Leaving A Lasting Legacy.” According to Tranel, legacy planning includes more than simply having an attorney draft an estate plan. A person leaves more than just money and property. In fact, a national study discovered that non-financial items are ten times more important than financial assets to transition onto the next generation. Norm Dalsted, professor and ABM economist with Colorado State University, has spent his entire career working with farm and ranch families as they make decisions to manage the risks they face. Dalsted has assisted many ag families work their way through the process of transferring their estates. “I really encourage everyone in the
Did you know? Genetically modified foods, or GMOs, have been a topic of heated conversation for the last several months. People have strong opinions on both sides of the GMO debate. In January 2014, retail giant General Mills decided to produce GMO-Free Cheerios, one of its most popular and wellknown cereals. This move now makes shopping for a GMO-free cereal that much easier. However, finding other products that do not contain GMOs may not be so simple, and consumers may have to do some research. Food companies in the United States are not required to label foods to
indicate use of GMOs. It is safe to assume that corn and soybeans produced in the United States are genetically modified. Papayas are often modified as well. Produce that has been genetically modified will have a bar code that starts with the digit “8.” One way to avoid GMOs is to buy only organic foods, which, in many instances, are GMO-free thanks to stringent regulations. In terms of other foods, it very well may be a guessing game. Speaking with a brand’s customer service department may be the best way to learn if they offer any GMO-free products. TF143017
Norm Dalsted San Luis Valley – farmers, ranchers, and non-ag citizens – to participate in this workshop,” said Reynolds. “Jeff and Norm have the experience and skills to help people find some of the answers to their estate issues. It is important to leave as positive a legacy as possible.” To register for this important workshop, people can email Reynolds at Marvin.Reynolds@colostate.edu or telephone the extension office in Monte Vista at 719-852-7381. A grant from the USDA Risk Management Agency will help fund the program.
Photo by Teresa L. Benns
Lettuce heads to market from conveyors set up in the fields, to bring the freshest possible product to store shelves.
Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference & Trade Fair
Page 4
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
All in it together, cattle and sheep line up for feed put out by their livestock producer.
Photo by Teresa L. Benns
Safety essential when visiting a farm
The nursery rhyme does not state, “Old MacDonald had a farm and on this farm there was a bunch of dangerous things.” But maybe it should? Farmers perform an essential service, providing food and other products that consumers commonly take for granted. The inner workings of a farm are something to treat with respect. Most of the families who live and work on a farm understand the potential hazards of such an environment. However, individuals visiting a farm may be unaware of these dangers. Understanding farm safety helps keep everyone safe. According to the organization Kids Health, the age groups at greatest risk for injury on farms are children ages 3 to 4 and teenagers ages 13 to 14. Most injuries can be prevented, though, with a
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little education and precautionary measures. Machinery There are many different forms of machinery on a farm to help keep it working efficiently. These items can pose serious safety risks. Although tractors are the type of farm equipment that causes the most injuries, some adults still think it is safe to allow children to ride along. Injuries that may result from farm machinery include pinching of clothing or parts of the body, where a person may become trapped in the gears or components of equipment; cuts from equipment that shears crops; bruising or cuts from projectiles thrown by mowers or other field equipment; and crushing or trapping injuries from machinery that falls or tips over. Animals
Part of the excitement of visiting a farm is seeing and petting the animals. Although many animals may be docile and domesticated, they can still be unpredictable. Animals that are startled by yelling or loud noises also may become restless and dangerous. Children should understand that animals may unintentionally cause injuries. It may be in a horse’s defense mechanism to kick when it is scared. To avoid such injuries, never approach animals from behind. Also, when baby animals are present, a female may be protective of her brood and go on the defensive. Another inadvertent injury that may occur is from bacteria or viruses from the animals. Animal feces may contain bacteria, and there may be other microorganisms on the animals themselves.
It is a smart idea to always wash your hands after handling a farm animal to prevent the spread of disease. Here are some other precautions that can be taken when visiting a farm. • Don’t allow children to wander around unsupervised. • Rides on farm equipment should be discouraged. • Before starting machinery, operators should locate children and other guests and clear them from the work area. • Don’t allow children near machinery. • Children under the age of 16
should not be allowed to operate any farm vehicles. • Watch for hand tools or other equipment, and keep children away from them. • Do not touch animals unless a farm worker allows it. Then follow his or her instructions. • Don’t provoke farm animals or attempt to startle them. • Supervise children around ponds, feeding troughs or manure lagoons. It only takes a few inches of water to pose a drowning risk. Farms are interesting places to visit, especially for children. Safety should always be a priority when visiting a farm. TF129487
Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference & Trade Fair
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
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Page 5
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Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference & Trade Fair
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
More snow in the San Juans is needed to help alleviate drought conditions in the Valley.
Photo by Teresa L. Benns
Rio Grande Basin Water Plan works to address future ag water needs SAN LUIS VALLEY—For decades Agriculture has been associated with the production of food crops. Accordingly, agriculture and farming were both one and the same, as long as farming was not commercialized. But as time has progressed and economic development has accelerated, there have been many more occupations related to farming and so they are recognized as a part of agriculture. Today’s agriculture landscape includes not just farming and ranching, but forestry, fruit cultivation, dairy, poultry, mushroom, bee keeping, marketing, processing, distribution of agricultural products etc. In addition to food, agriculture also provides feedstuffs for livestock. This portion of agriculture ensures not only our meat supplies, but also our dairy products. Therefore, agriculture may be defined as the production, processing, marketing and distribution of crops and livestock products. It is the agricultural sector that feeds our country’s trade. Products like wheat, soybeans, rice, cotton, tobacco etc. constitute the main items of exports from the US. Thus agriculture helps to balance our foreign trade exchanges. Agriculture provides not only food and raw materials, but it also provides employment op-
portunities to a large proportion of population. Colorado’s agriculture is no less important. According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, “agriculture is one of largest contributors to the State’s economy, supporting more than 173,000 jobs in Colorado, generates more than $40 billion of economic activity annually and exported nearly $1.8 billion of food and agricultural products in 2012. Colorado ranks first in the nation in millet production, ranks in the top ten in the nation in nearly 25 commodities. There are over 1 billion eggs laid in Colorado each year. Cattle and calves are Colorado’s number one agricultural commodity with 2.7 million head of cattle in the state.” It is safe to say that agriculture is a big deal in Colorado. It is for that reason the preservation of Agriculture’s water is being addressed in Colorado’s Water Plan. The water plan will leverage and incorporate nine years of work that has been done by Colorado’s Basin Roundtables, the Inter Basin Compact Committee and Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). The goal of the plan will be to determine how to implement water supply planning solutions that meet Colorado’s future water needs
while supporting healthy watersheds and environment, robust recreation and tourism economies, vibrant and sustainable cities, and viable and productive agriculture. Agriculture is essential to Colorado’s economy and way of life. Yet, the state faces the potential for the permanent dry up of thousands of acres of farmland statewide, unless new solutions become implemented to address our looming gap between supply and demand. Agriculture represents more than 80 percent of Colorado’s consumptive water use. According to the Colorado Water Conservation Board,” Colorado’s Water Plan will develop a number of strategies designed to minimize the permanent buy-and-dry of irrigated agricultural land and begin to counter Colorado’s projected supply gap – a gap potentially equivalent by 2050 to the amount of water necessary to supply all of Denver’s households for a full year.“ Some of these strategies include offering financial incentives for agriculture/municipal partnerships
that maintain land and water for agricultural uses, identifying alternatives to the permanent transfer of agricultural water to municipal use, and identifying the type and amount of infrastructure projects and methods to meet current and future water supply needs. The water plan will be driven by input from each basin roundtable. The Rio Grande Basin Roundtable would like your input to be considered during the Basin Implementation Plan process. The most effective method for stakeholders to become involved is in one of three ways: 1) attend the Rio
Grande Basin Roundtable monthly meetings (These meeting are held the second Tuesday of each month at the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District office at 623 Fourth Street in Alamosa, Colo.) or; 2) send your comments directly to us online at www.riograndewaterplan.webs.com, and 3) attend any one of the five BIP subcommittee meetings that can be found on the BIP website. The lead consultant and local liaison from DiNatale Water Consultants is Tom Spezze. Tom can be contacted at tom@dinatalewater.com.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference & Trade Fair
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Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference & Trade Fair
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Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Ag Conference Schedule
Potato Management Seminar (and Alfalfa)
Tuesday, February 10
Some classes are held at Ski Hi Park and others at Vali Theater 7:00 a.m. BREAKFAST— Sponsored by: Monte Vista CO-OP 8:00 Opening Comments, Dr. Jeffrey Steiner, Associate Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences, CSU 8:10 Ag. Research Center Update, Dr. Ryan Abbott, Assistant Director, Agricultural Experiment Station, CSU 8:20 Colorado Potato Breeding and Selection Program: Strategies for the Future, Dr. Photo by Teresa L. Benns David Holm, Professor of Horticulture (Potato Breeding), CSU/SLVRC, Center, CO. San Luis Valley potato prices have been slowly climbing as Idaho’s 8:50 Field Management of Fortress Russet for Successful Tuber Yield and Quality, potato supply dwindles. Samuel Essah, Associate Professor, Extension Specialist and Physiologist, CSU/ SLVRC, Center, CO. NEW AND USED 9:20 Late Nitrogen Application and Storage Quality, Sastry Jayanty, Associate Professor, Extension Specialist, and Post Harvest Physiologist, CSU/SLVRC, Center, CO. FOR SALE 9:50 Refreshment Break (Trade Fair) Sponsored by: Industrial Ventilation Concurrent Sessions: 10:10 Bus to Vali Theatre 10:20 Alfalfa Breeding and Trait Development, Peter Reisen, Director of Plant Breeding, Forage Genetics Inter-national, Nampa, ID 11:05 Breeding for Salinity Tolerance in Alfalfa, Peter Reisen, Director of Plant Breeding, Forage Genetics, Inter-national, Nampa, ID 11:50 Bus back to Ski Hi Park At Ski Hi Park 10:10 Winter Post Harvest Test Update, Kent Sather, Manager, Potato Certification Service 10:40 USPB: An Industry Discussion, Kurt Holland, USPB Executive Committee Member VALLEY FORKLIFT 1507 N. Hwy 285, Monte Vista, CO 81144 11:10 Exports to Mexico—2015 Dietary Guidelines, John Keeling, Executive Vice 719-852-5277 or President, CEO, National Potato Council TOM at 588-4958 11:40 Advancement of PCR Testing for the San Luis Valley, Greg Hess, Disease Lab REPAIR SERVICE Call GILBERT at 588-1649 Supervisor, SLVRC/CSU, Cen-ter, CO 12:10 p.m. LUNCH And VISIT TRADE FAIR Sponsored by: Farm Credit 1:40 PVY Management: Current Strategies, Dr. Amy Charkowski, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison 2:20 Three Innovative Studies Focusing on PVY Management: Flowering Species Mix, Mechanical Spread & Varietal Screening, Andrew Houser, Assistant Manager, The 9R/9RT Series is a complete lineup of 4WD and Potato Certification, SLVRC, Center, CO tracked tractors loaded with 2:50 Linking Root Studies with Biological Strategies to Control Nematodes on Potapower and versatility to help toes, Dr. Jorge Vivanco, Professor of Rhizosphere Biology, CSU and Antoon Ploeg, you be more productive Professor of Nematology, University of California, Riverside and more efficient. 3:20 Refreshment Break (Trade Fair) Sponsored by: K-Nip 3:40 Cost of Potato Production, Paul Patterson, Professor of Ag Economics & Rural Sociology, University of Idaho 4:10 SOCIAL HOUR: Sponsored by: Miller-Coors; SLV Federal Bank; Sunflower Bank; Jeff Harmon, Valley Wide Welding with live music by Fred Hargrove. Held in seminar room.
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Some classes are held at Ski Hi Park and others at Vali Theatre 7:00 BREAKFAST Sponsored by: SLV Rural Electric CO-OP 8:00 Opening Comments, Marvin Reynolds, SLV Area Extension Director, CSU 8:05 Using UAV’s in Agriculture, Carol Snyder, Trimble Agriculture 8:55 Advantages of Green Manure Crops in SLV Potato Rotations, Merlin Dillon, Extension Agronomist, CSU, Retired 9:30 Agroecology—A Systematic Approach to Farming, Brendon Rockey, Rockey Farms, Center, CO 10:10 Refreshment Break (Trade Fair) Sponsored by: Sharp Brothers Seed Concurrent sessions
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference & Trade Fair
Ag Conference Schedule 10:30 Bus transportation to Vali Theatre for 10:40 presentation 10:40 Conservation Plans for RMA Crop Insurance Subsidies, Dick Sparks, NRCS. Retired 11:15 Bio-Control Products and Microbial Inoculants on Colombia Root Knot Nematode Reproduction, Jeannine Willett, Agro Engineering 11:50 Vali Theatre group bus back to Ski Hi Park At Ski Hi Park 10:30 2014 Farm Bill Update, Kevin Reeves & Russ Valdez, Farm Service Agency 11:00 Applying Commodity Market Information to Farm & Market Decisions, Dr. Terry Crawford, Department of Agricultural Economics, New Mexico State University 11:40 SPNR: A Research Program to improve crop and forage yields, nitrogen use efficiency, air and water quality, use of cover crops, use of conservation agriculture, carbon sequestration, soil health, economics returns and provide other benefits, Dr. Jorge Delgado, Acting Research Leader and Research Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS, Soil Plant Nutrient Research Unit, Fort Collins, CO 12:10 p.m. LUNCH And VISIT TRADE FAIR Sponsored by: First Southwest Bank 1:30 Guest Speaker—Dirt in my DNA, A Humorous Outlook on Ag., Jerry Carroll LLC Sponsored by: Farm Credit of Southern Colorado 2:30 Break Sponsored by: Wilbur Ellis 2:50 A Long Range Weather Outlook Brian Bledsoe, Meteorologist, KKTV Channel 11, Video Presentation 3:40 Pollinator Protection & Crop Protection Products: Fact, Fiction & Future, Charlie Hicks, Product Research and Development, BEHR Pharmaceuticals 4:30 SOCIAL HOUR: Sponsored by: Miller-Coors; SLV Federal Bank; Sunflower Bank; Jeff Harmon, Valley Wide Welding; Dupont Crop Protection with live music by Fred Hargrove. Held in seminar room.
WATER DAY
Thursday, February 12
7:00 a.m. BREAKFAST Sponsored by: Mountain View Restaurant 8:00 Opening Comments, Marvin Reynolds, SLV Area Extension Director, CSU 8:10 Sub-District 1, 2014 Review and 2015 Outlook, Rob Phillips, Rio Grande Water Conservancy District 8:40 Ground Water Rules Update, Craig Cotten, Water Engineer, State of Colorado, Rio Grande River Basin 9:30 Irrigation Well Rehabilitation, Tom Pescatore, Eco Dynamics 10:10 Refreshment Break (Trade Fair) Sponsored by: Milestone 10:30 San Luis Valley Update on Sub-district Development, Steve Vandiver, General Manager, Rio Grande Water Conser-vation Districts, Sub-district 1 11:15 Groundwater Withdrawals after Rules and Regulations—Sub-district or Augmentation, Cleve Simpson, Rio Grande Water Conservancy District 12:00 p.m. LUNCH And VISIT TRADE FAIR Sponsored by: Community Banks of Colorado 1:00 Continuing Education Credits for Pesticide Applicators 7—General Credits, Don Henderson, Owner, DP Ag Products, Sponsored by: Mosca-Hooper Conservation District Dismissal
Have a safe trip See you next year!
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Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference & Trade Fair
Environmental stewardship is part of family business
Courtesy Photo
Rockey Farms was honored in January for outstanding environmental stewardship at the 2015 National Potato Council (NPC) annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. Brothers Brendon, left, and Sheldon, right, of Rockey Farms are shown featured in a video courtesy of DuPont Crop Protection about their environmentally sound agricultural practices.
Secretary Vilsack names members to National Potato Promotion Board
WASHINGTON—Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack announced Jan. 21 33 appointments to the National Potato Promotion Board. Each representative will serve a three-year term of office beginning March 1, 2015. Newly appointed members representing producers are: Segundo Diaz of Alamosa, Colo.; Jeremy Arnold of Felt, Idaho; Kent Bitter of Shelley, Idaho; Jeff Harper of Mountain Home, Idaho; Dan Moss of DeClo, Idaho; Dirk Parkinson of St. Anthony, Idaho; Kyle Lennard of Howe, Ind.; Jeff Edling of Becker, Minn.; Gary H. Gray of Clear Lake, Minn.; Leon J. Hapka of Argyle, Minn.; Chris Hansen of Bliss, N.Y.; Jeff VanRay of Pingree, N.D.; Kyle Slagell of Hyrdo, Okla.; Tyler Young of Little Compton, R.I.; E. Phillip Hickman, Jr. of Horntown, Va.; Jody Bailie of Mesa, Wash.; Molly Connors of Richland, Wash.; Randi R. Hammer of Pasco, Wash.; and Heidi Alsum-Randall of Cambria, Wis. Reappointed to the board are producers: Dewey Crane of King
Hill, Idaho; Jared Fielding of Shelley, Idaho; Brian Jones of Rupert, Idaho; Rick Likes of Shelley, Idaho; Alex Tiede of American Falls, Idaho; Christopher Wada of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Lynn Wilcox of Rexburg, Idaho; Shari Kitchen of Elmira, Mich.; Eric James of Elizabeth City, N.C.; Michael Brooks of Elmer, N.J.; Laura Huddle of Napoleon, Ohio; Lon Baley of Merrill, Ore.; and Douglas Poe of Connell, Wash. Marilyn Freeman Dolan of Atwater, Calif., was appointed as the public member. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight of the National Potato Promotion Board in accordance with the Potato Research and Promotion Act and the Potato Research and Promotion Plan. Under the Plan, the program is financed by an assessment of three cents per hundredweight on potatoes produced and imported into the United States. The program is administered by board members who are selected by the Secretary of Agriculture. USDA encourages board mem-
bership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by the programs. USDA encourages all eligible women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to seek nomination for a seat on the National Potato Promotion Board. Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, authorized by Congress and date back to 1966, when Congress passed the Cotton Research and Promotion Act. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 research and promotion boards. They empower agricultural industries, including the fruit and vegetable industry, to leverage their own resources to develop markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders. For more information about research and promotion programs, visit www.ams.usda.gov/FVPromotion.
Funds available to support training for beginning farmers/ranchers
NATIONWIDE—The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced more than $18 million in funding available to support training, mentoring and development of beginning farmers and ranchers through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. The program was advocated for in the 2002 Farm Bill and finally funded in the 2008 Farm Bill. The need was clear then and remains so today. A number of beginning farmers and ranchers don’t have direct roots to agriculture. While they yearn for the honest, hard work found
in farming or ranching, they need help learning the ropes. The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program awards grants to organizations implementing programs to train beginning farmers and ranchers. Funding includes support for workshops, farmer-to-farmer mentoring and technical assistance. Since the program was first funded and put on the ground in 2009, 145 awards have been made. That’s more than $71 million dedicated to giving the next generation of farmers and ranchers the know-how to succeed.
A focus on projects for veteran beginning farmers and ranchers has been added this time. It joins previous set-asides for sociallydisadvantaged, limited-resource or farmworkers who want a start in agriculture. Organizations experienced in serving beginning farmers and ranchers must submit their applications by March 13. If you are a beginning farmer or rancher looking to find training and mentoring opportunities, call us at 402-687-2100 or send an email to tracib@cfra.org.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
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Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference & Trade Fair
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Using different plants for the control of Potato Virus Y
BY ANDREW HOUSER Assistant Manager, Potato Certification Service, CSU Potato Virus Y (PVY) is a major disease affecting potatoes across the United States and the San Luis Valley. This virus is spread primarily through aphid transmission. PVY is a non-persistent virus, meaning that the virus can only survive in the sucking mouthparts of an infected aphid for a few hours. The aphid can lose the virus before moving to another plant if it feeds on a non-susceptible plant. The most effective means by which to manage this disease is to eliminate the source of inoculum (infected potatoes) and to reduce aphid numbers. In the Valley, this disease is typically managed through the use of certified potato seed, insecticides, and mineral oils. Although the use of these methods have shown to be good strategies for managing PVY spread in the past, there remains an epidemic of PVY in the San Luis Valley. It is apparent that potato farmers need additional tools at their disposal in order to manage the spread of this disease. One possible tool might be the use of a flowering plant mix planted alongside a potato crop, providing a more suitable environment for beneficial insects which act as predators to aphids (e.g. ladybugs, lacewings, etc.). Different plants producing a variety of flowers attract a greater
diversity of insects, many not typically found in a potato crop. In the summer of 2014, in collaboration with Brendon Rockey of Rockey Farms, I conducted an experiment at the SLV Research Center (Hwy 285 & 9N) to explore this idea of using flowering plants to potentially reduce PVY spread. The purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of using a mix of different plant species, which produced flowers at different times throughout the course of the season for reducing the spread of PVY in a potato crop. In this study, I planted a flowering plant species mix (see table 1) in 5 ft wide strips in between four rows of Russet Norkotah sel. 8 potatoes. The initial level of PVY in the potatoes was roughly 8 percent. Two control plots were also set up and evaluated (one without insecticide application and one with several insecticide applications through the season). The results indicated that potatoes planted next to a flowering species mix had a final PVY level of 25 percent, which was more than in the crop where insecticides were applied (16 percent); however, this difference was not statistically significant. The potatoes without any flowers planted nearby or insecticides applied had a final PVY level of 39 percent, which was statistically higher (treatments were analyzed using a LSD mean
separation, p=0.05). This is only the first year I’ve evaluated a flowering species mix for the management of PVY in the Valley; however I believe there are things that can be learned from this study. The use of a flowering species mix, when planted adjacent to potatoes, appears to reduce the spread of PVY and may be accomplishing a couple of things. First of all, the flowering plants attract beneficial insects, many of which feed on aphids. Therefore, the spread of PVY may be reduced through the reduction of aphids. Also, by planting a mix of plant species that are not susceptible to PVY, the virus particles could be getting flushed out of the aphids’ mouthparts as they feed on these plants, thereby reducing the spread of PVY by “cleaning” those aphids’ mouthparts. One or both of these scenarios may be occurring. Using PVY management strategies that allow for an increase in diversity (e.g. diversity of plants, insects, etc.), there is the potential for additional benefits besides controlling PVY spread, such as increased habitat for honeybees or an improved soil health. There is still much we don’t know, but if we continue to work together as a community to look at alternative approaches to solve agricultural problems, we may be able to find a solution to the PVY problem.
Agricultural career opportunities abound
A career in agriculture can prove richly rewarding. While it’s common to envision overalls and tractors when imagining careers in agriculture, the opportunities to work in the agriculture industry stretch beyond the farm and into the corporate world. The following are a few of the paths men and women with a passion for agriculture can pursue. * Business: Agriculture is big business, and the industry has many opportunities for those who want to pursue a career in business. Farmers and producers of agricultural products need someone to draft contracts for their agreements with the large corporations who distribute those products. In addition, purchasing agents and agricultural financiers are just two of the many career opportunities that enable men and women to work on the business side of agriculture.
* Social service: The agricultural industry also has positions of social service. In addition to food inspector, who ensures agricultural products are safe for human consumption, social service positions within the agricultural industry include environmental consultant and conservation officer. Men and women can also work to develop programs that encourage youngsters to pursue careers in the agricultural industry. * Production: Of course, the agricultural industry has a host of careers for those who want to get their hands dirty. Farms need to be plowed, seeds must be planted and fertilized and farms need to be well-maintained to continue operating efficiently and effectively. Though technology has taken the place of many agricultural production positions, there are still many opportunities out there for those who want to work under the sun.
* Education: Those who want to share their love of agriculture with others can put their skills to work in the classroom. Agricultural instructors can train the next generation of agriculture professionals at the university or high school level, ensuring today’s farms are left in good hands tomorrow. TF121708
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Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference & Trade Fair
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Conference features ‘a humorous outlook on ag’ MONTE VISTA—The 2015 Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference will feature farmer, comedian and host of TV’s Amazing America, Jerry Carroll. Carroll harvests a bumper crop of hilarity in his fast-paced, high-energy presentation. His entertaining and relatable topics about everyday life crack up the most hard-to-please crowds. Jerry found humor growing up on his family’s farm. From the time he could walk, he joined his father and uncle to farm 130 acres of flue cured tobacco, 500 acres of corn, 500 acres of small grain, 500 acres of soybeans, 40 head of cattle and 5,000 hogs per year. Spending 14 hours a day in a tractor cab gave Jerry plenty of time to think about his life’s dream of entertaining people and making them laugh. Since beginning in 1993, Jerry has performed for crowds in venues ranging from local cattlemen’s association banquets across the United States to the ministers of Provincial Parliament in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In addition to corporate events and conventions, Jerry has opened concerts for music artists, such as Michael Bolton, Patty Loveless, Lyle Lovett and Larry Gatlin. Everywhere he goes, he leaves audiences roaring with laughter. When he’s not on the road making people laugh, Jerry still works the fields of his family’s farm. This experience makes him one of the nation’s most soughtafter farm speakers for agribusiness events.
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Jerry Carroll Carroll’s “simply hysterical” Dirt in my DNA, A Humorous Outlook on Ag will be presented on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 1:30 p.m.
Fertilizer used and time of application can influence yield BY DR. SAMUEL YC ESSAH
SAN LUIS VALLEY—Potassium (K) fertilizer is next to nitrogen in the quantity needed for a successful potato crop production. Potatoes have a relatively high potassium requirement and can remove more than 240 lb. K/acre in a 500 cwt/acre crop. One of the common sources of potassium fertilizer used in potato production is potash. A new potassium based fertilizer, known as BioK has been introduced in the San Luis Valley. Bio-K is a combination of an inorganic salt reacted with an organic acid to form a potassium acetate fertilizer. It is important for growers to know the response of potato to BioK compared to potash. A study was conducted at the San Luis Valley Research Center, Colorado State University, to evaluate the response of Russet potato to potash and BioK as source of potassium fertilizer, and the effect of application time on tuber yield. Potassium fertilizer was applied pre-plant (Pre-), foliar applied (foliar), or as a combination of pre-plant and foliar application.
Figure 1
Marketable Tuber Yield Using Bio-K as source of potassium fertilizer and applied pre-plant increased marketable tuber yield by 20 percent and 6 percent, compared to the control and potash treatments, respectively (See Figure 1).
Premium Size (> 10 oz.) Tuber Yield Premium size (> 10 oz.) tuber yield was increased by 118 percent and 114 percent when Bio-K was applied pre-plant and as foliar application, respectively, compared to the control treatment (fig. 2). When Bio-K applied pre-plant and as foliar application was compared to
Attention Farmers and Ranchers:
Figure 2 potash applied pre-plant, Bio-K applied pre-plant and Bio-K applied as foliar increased premium size tuber yield by 71 percent and 68 percent, respectively (See Figure 2). Summary Data from this study indicate that the source of potassium fertilizer used, and the time of application can influence potato tuber yield. In the
present study, the yield of marketable and premium size tubers were significantly increased when Bio-K was applied pre-plant. Dr. Samuel YC Essah is an associate professor of agronomy and horticulture at Colorado State University, Dept. of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture and with the San Luis Valley Research Center based in Center.
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