107th Annual Field Day June 11 in Akron

The 107th Annual Field Day, "Dryland Farming Strategies that Match Extremes in Climate Variability," will be held Wednesday, June 11 at the USDA-ARS Central Great Plains Research Station, 4 miles east of Akron on Highway 34. Join a tour of dryland research and come see and hear what the scientists have been busy with the past year. Lunch will be provided. Registration runs from 8:30-9am with the talks starting at 9am.

Two Day Rangeland/Pasture Management Training by CSU Extension on May 28 and 29

A two day rangeland/pasture management training provided by CSU Extension will be held May 28 and 29 from 9:30am-4pm each day at the Cottonwood State Wildlife Area 5 miles north of Brush. There is no fee to attend. Learn how to identify rangeland plants, how to assess, inventory, and set stocking rates for pasture. To register visit http://www.range.colostate.edu/spring2014registration.shtml

Colorado Centennial Farms Seeks Nominations for 2014 Awards

***Press Release***

April 30 deadline!

 

 

DENVER — Families who have owned and operated their Colorado farm or ranch for 100 years or more are encouraged to submit a nomination to receive a Colorado Centennial Farms award. Selected nominees will be honored at the 28th Annual Centennial Farms Celebration at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, Colo., in August 2014. Farmers and ranchers nominating their property for this award must submit an application providing information about the history of their farm and its buildings by close of business on Wednesday, April 30, 2014.

 

 Nominees must meet the following requirements to be selected as a Colorado Centennial Farm:

• Farming or ranching properties must have remained in the same family continuously for at least 100 years
• Each property must still operate as a working farm or ranch­­­
• Farms or ranches must have a minimum of 160 acres
• Properties with fewer than 160 acres can qualify if they gross at least $1,000 in annual sales

History Colorado and the Colorado Department of Agriculture created the Colorado Centennial Farms Program in 1986 to recognize the important role that agriculture has played in the state’s history and economic development.

 

How to nominate: Download a Colorado Centennial Farms application, or call Lyle Miller at 303-866-2779.

 

Due Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2014.

 

Centennial Farms Awards:

 

The 2014 Colorado Centennial Farms awards will be presented at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo in August. At the ceremony, award recipients will receive a certificate signed by the Governor and a sign to display on their property. 

To date, nearly 500 Colorado farms and ranches representing 61 counties across the state have received the Centennial Farms award. The majority of these farms were established between 1880 and 1895.

Questions: Lyle Miller, 303-866-2779 or email lyle.miller@state.co.us

Brush Chamber Ag Appreciation Dinner March 14

The 2014 Brush Chamber Ag Appreciation Dinner will be held Friday, March 14 at Brush High School. Social begins at 5:30pm, meal at 6:30pm, and the program begins at 7:30pm. Chuck Larsen, cowboy poet, humorist, and storyteller will provide the entertainment. Free tickets are available from any sponsoring business, or at the Brush Chamber office.

Cattlemen's Day Program Moved to Feb 12 in Burlington

The Cattlemen’s Day Program presented by CSU, UNL, and KSU will now be held in Burlington, CO on Wednesday Feb. 12. 

The program in Holyoke on Feb. 13 has been canceled.

Program Title: East Central Cattlemen’s Day

When: Wednesday February 12 from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Where: Burlington Community & Education Center, 340 S 14th St., Burlington, CO.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FLYER! REGISTRATION FEE = $5

Or… Register by Clicking Here

This program was developed for both new and experienced cattlemen. The present economic situation requires cattlemen to be on top of the latest technology and research-based information in order to keep their operations profitable. This program presents information to help improve pasture management, improve forage production, improve animal health, and reduce operation costs. In addition to lunch and informational handouts, participants will receive a copy of:

1) The Colorado Resource Monitoring Guide and...

2) The Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savannas: Vol. I.

This program will feature Extension Professionals from CSU, UNL, and KSU.

This program is brought to you by Burlington, Flagler, and Cheyenne Wells Conservation Districts as well as Colorado State University Extension and in part by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and Kansas State University Extension.

AGENDA (10 AM to 2 PM)

Grass and Grass-like Pasture Plant ID - Casey Matney, CSU Ext. Spec. Range Mgmt.
Forage Crops for Cattle in NE Colorado - Ron Meyer, CSU Ext. Agronomy & Plant Sci.
Nutrition for Profit - Randy Saner - UNL Ext. Educator
Lunch - Poisonous Plants and Livestock (Recorded Webinar) Anthony Knight, CSU
Buying Replacement Cattle: What to Look For - Marty Fear, KSU Ext. Agent
Supplementation for Calves - Chris Shelley, CSU Ext. Livestock Agent
How We Survived the Drought - (Local Producers) Rhoades Bros. and Mike Livingston

If you are a person with a disability and require any assistive devices, services, or other accommodations to participate in this program, please contact (970) 345-2287 at least 5 days prior to the event. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. Colorado State University Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating.

“The Farming Evolution-Where Do You Fit?” workshop Feb 13 in Holyoke

February 13, there will be a “The Farming Evolution-Where Do You Fit?” workshop in the big room in the Event Center at the Fairgrounds in Holyoke. Registration will begin at 7:30am and the workshop will start at 8am. The workshop will conclude at 3:30pm. Refreshments and lunch will be provided and there is no registration fee.

Attendees will hear some of the exciting discoveries about how soils work, see a rainfall simulator, hear about cover crops in Phillips County, technology on the farm, and some economic considerations of tillage changes. The workshop will close with a panel of no-till farmers including Scott Ravenkamp, Dietrich Kastens, and Steve Tucker. They will share how they moved from conventional tillage to where they are today. There will be plenty of time for questions.

To save a lunch, contact the Haxtun Conservation District in Holyoke, the Yuma County Conservation District in Wray, CO, or the Upper Republican NRD in Grant, NE, by Thursday, February 6. For a full article and flier, go to www.ycconservation.com. There is no registration fee. Late registrations and walk ins are welcome, but will not be guaranteed lunch.

NJC livestock judging team excels in Texas

***Press Release***

Jaylinn Lohr captures high Individual award

The Northeastern Junior College (NJC)  Livestock Judging Team competed in early December at The West Texas Livestock Judging Contest held in Canyon and came home with some impressive scores.

This was a junior college contest in which freshmen and sophomores competed against each other. Having undergone a one year hiatus to regroup, the NJC team is comprised heavily of freshmen  this year.  If this contest is an indication of what’s to come, northeastern Colorado should be excited about the future. NJC  student swept the team contest and were named the High Team Overall.  The NJC team is comprised of the following students:  Jaylinn Lohr, Gill, CO; Samantha Trehal, Kiowa, CO;  Bailey Jago, Calhan, CO; Caleb Christensen, Akron, CO;  Zac Abushaban, Colorado Springs, CO; and Annie McNeel, Newcastle, CO .

Another exciting aspect of the contest was that NJC’s Jaylinn Lohr  captured the overall high Individual award as well.  Two other NJC judgers were listed among the top 10 high individuals.

NJC’s team scored  first in swine, third in sheep, fourth in cattle and first in oral reasons to win the top team award.  Individual judgers made excellent showings, as follows: High Individual in Swine judging: 3^rd Jaylinn Lohr,  4^th Samantha Trehal, 8^th Caleb Christensen. High Individual in Sheep Judging: 1^st Jaylinn Lohr. High Individual in Beef Judging:  2^nd Jaylinn Lohr, 4^th Samantha Trehal.  High Individual Oral Reasons:  2^nd Jaylinn Lohr,  5^th Samantha Trehal, 9^th Caleb Christensen. High Individual Overall:1^st Jaylinn Lohr, 5^th Caleb Christensen, 7^th Samantha Trehal.

In his first full year of coaching livestock judging at Northeastern is Animal Science Instructor Randell Von Krosigk.  The students are practicing on a regular basis and preparing for some other upcoming contests, many which will put them up against upper classmen, including junior and seniors at other universities. 

West Central Cattlemen's Day December 12 in Wray

The Sixth Annual West Central Cattlemen's Day will be held in Wray from 10am-2pm at the Roundhouse at Wray City Hall, 245 W. 4th Street in Wray on December 12. The program was developed for cow/calf producers. The present economic situation requires cattlemen to be on top of the latest research and technology to keep their operations profitable. This conference should help you find ways to reduce cost while helping to improve your overall profitability. Attendees will also receive a copy of Colorado Resource Monitoring Guide and Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savannas—Volume I. The fee for the event is $5 if you register by Dec. 10 or $10 if you pay at the door. Click Here to REGISTER or View the FLYER

NJC to showcase fodder system on Monday

***Press Release***

October, 2013–Dyersville, IA–On November 4^th, 2013 from 10 AM to 3 PM, FarmTek’s Controlled Environment Agriculture display trailer showcasing a fodder feed system will be making a stop at Northeastern Junior College. This event will feature interactive instruction and demonstrations featuring the latest techniques in hydroponic growing. Discover the benefits of controlled environment agriculture and see these systems actively growing up close and personal. Speak to FarmTek’s knowledgeable hydroponic specialists, ask questions and learn how a hydroponic system can benefit any farm or operation.

FarmTek has developed this controlled environment on wheels to showcase their FodderPro Feed Systems, hydroponic growing systems and the controlled environment solutions they offer.

Controlled environment agriculture is becoming increasingly popular as farmers, businesses and home owners are looking for ways to get on board with the local food movement. Controlled environment agriculture is an eco-friendly, sustainable and efficient means of growing vegetables, fruit, livestock feed and more at a lower cost than traditional agriculture. It gives control to the grower and allows them to produce healthy, fresh food year round.

“Growing in the field, dealing with the unpredictable elements that Mother Nature can throw at you, knowing that even something small ruin the entire growing season, is not a comfortable feeling,” said Jon Kozlowski, lead grower at FarmTek’s Technology Center East. “Removing the unpredictable aspects of growing and controlling the environment allows you to produce better, higher quality yields and make more money without the constraints of a growing season.”

The trailer will be in the parking lot of the college’s North Campus, just off Pioneer Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday. The exhibit is open to everyone and it is totally free.  

September Rain brings Pasture Regrowth and an Abundance of Annual Bromes

***Press Release***

Thanks to September rainfall, our cool season pasture grasses are having a lot of green growth this October.  This growth is giving an added carbohydrate boost to our perennial grasses as they prepare to go dormant for the winter.  Such growth can also provide added forage for fall/winter grazing, but is there a downside to having so much fall regrowth?  Two potential downsides exist: 1) grass tetany and 2) an abundance of cheatgrass and Japanese brome. Grass Tetany Grass tetany occurs when cattle feed on young leaves of rapidly growing grasses.  Grass tetany is also called grass staggers, hypomagnesemia, winter tetany, and wheat pasture poisoning. Caution periods are in spring when perennial grasses begin growth or in the fall/winter when grasses are initiating regrowth.  The germination and new growth of winter annual grasses are also a factor in the fall/winter caution period.  Consumption of grasses having low fiber and high moisture content with low magnesium (Mg) levels results in cattle having diminished Mg levels in the blood.  Mg is important in many enzymatic reactions in the body.  Stress, extreme weather, and forages high in nitrogen/crude protein and potassium can exacerbate the Mg deficiency in the forage.  Pastures fertilized with ammonia or having soils with high nitrogen and potassium levels can also increase the risk of grass tetany in spring and fall/winter.  Lactating cows have a greater risk for grass tetany.  Forages having more than 0.2% Mg, on a dry matter basis, are generally considered safe.  Acute cases of grass tetany can result in death within one hour of the onset of symptoms.  Symptoms may develop within a few hours.  Animals suffering from acute poisoning may show symptoms prior to death including excitability, aggressiveness, abnormal walk, vocalization, convulsions, and frothing at the mouth.  Chronic or subacute symptoms of grass tetany that can develop over a period of days include staggering and abnormal walk, excessive blinking, lack of appetite, weight loss, and decreased milk production.  Treatment of animals suffering from grass tetany consists primarily of an injection of solution containing Mg, calcium, and dextrose.  Contact a veterinarian if you suspect your cattle are showing signs of grass tetany. Grass tetany is preventable.  Providing cattle with a Mg supplement can prevent and reduce the risk of grass tetany.  Examples of Mg supplement include licks, capsules, and a powder that can be added to forage dry or as a liquid mix.  Supplementation of Mg should occur before releasing animals into pastures with a suspected risk for grass tetany.  Cattle will need to remain supplemented with Mg as long as they are consuming deficient forage. Abundance of Cheatgrass and Japanese Brome You might be noticing a surprising carpet of young green grass shoots two to four inches tall growing between the larger bunchgrasses and shrubs this fall.  This abundance of young grass plants is comprised mostly of cheatgrass and Japanese brome.  Cheatgrass and Japanese brome were prolific this summer, but now a multitude of seeds from those parent plants are emerging.  These newly emerging plants stand a high chance of surviving the winter.  The one good aspect of this mass of new growth is that it can potentially provide forage for cattle through the spring.  If your cattle are grazing cheatgrass this fall or spring, beware of grass tetany.  However, if these new stands of cheatgrass are not sufficiently grazed or controlled by early this next spring, we could be looking at record numbers of cheatgrass that could be competing for water, nutrients, and space with desirable perennial grasses.  To make the situation worse, this carpet of cheatgrass could expand in 2014 as well as greatly increase the risk and severity of wildfire, which is all the more reason to plan on controlling the cheatgrass as we enter the 2014 growing season.  If you can, make what grazing-use you can of cheatgrass and Japanese brome prior to the development of seed heads, which typically occurs during late April and early May.  In addition, try and include chemical and mechanical methods to control these annual bromes.  For information on how to control annual bromes and understand the wildfire risk they pose, please visit http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06310.html.

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Colorado State University Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.

Colorado State University Extension is your local university community connection for research-based information about natural resource management; living well through raising kids, eating right and spending smart; gardening and commercial horticulture; the latest agricultural production technologies and community development. Extension 4-H and youth development programs reach more than 90,000 young people annually, over half in urban communities.

21st Century Equipment Acquires MV Equipment

***Press Release***

BRIDGEPORT, NE – 21^st Century Equipment, a regional John Deere Dealership group headquartered in Bridgeport, NE, has announced the acquisition of MV Equipment, a John Deere Dealership organization with five locations in eastern Colorado.  This acquisition will extend the 21^st Century brand to the Colorado towns of Sterling, Burlington, Yuma, Wray and Holyoke.

“We are very excited to increase our presence on the eastern Colorado plains and strengthen these new locations with our four existing operations in the same area” said Owen Palm, CEO of 21^st Century Equipment.   “At 21^st Century Equipment, we are focused on reducing our customer’s risk, improving their profitability and increasing their competitive advantage in this rapidly changing agricultural environment.  Our goal is simply to make farming easier.”

Palm acknowledged the success of MV Equipment.  “We intend to build on the track record of MV Equipment for providing outstanding customer service.   They have very talented people in their organization,” he said.  “This is a strong organization, which is why we were interested in this acquisition.”

According to Palm, 21^st Century Equipment will further strengthen the new dealerships with the establishment of a local store management structure.  This structure provides strong community involvement and empowers local decision-making as shown at other locations in the 21^st Century Equipment organization.  “We are dedicated to staying on the leading edge of precision agriculture technology and data management,” Palm added.  “Our Integrated Solutions Team is known for innovation and introducing industry-leading production technology.   We fully intend to deploy these resources to these new locations to the benefit of our new customers.”

21^st Century Equipment also maintains an aggressive recruitment and training program designed to continually grow and train its service technicians, parts professionals and sales staff.  “We have a strong commitment to the John Deere Ag Tech program at participating Community Colleges and offer tuition assistance.  Also, we have an active college internship program….both are designed to recruit and return young people back into the local communities we serve,” Palm said.

From the smallest lawn mower to the largest tractor, we are here to serve you.  In addition to the new Colorado locations, 21^st Century Equipment has John Deere dealerships in Akron, Cheyenne Wells, Flagler and Fort Morgan, Colorado; and in Alliance, Bridgeport, Gordon, Imperial, Ogallala and Sidney, Nebraska.   For more information, visit 21stCenturyEquipment.com.

Old Settlers Picnic August 31 and September 1 in Eckley

***Courtesy of AM 1440 KRDZ and www.krdz.com***

The 125th Old Settlers Picnic will take place in Eckley, labor Day weekend of August 31st and September 1st. Celebrating Agriculture in Yuma County will include a parade at 9am on Saturday and a Poker Run at 9am on Sunday. The event is sponsored by the Eckley Volunteer Fire Department and for more details, you can call 970-359-2222 

Ranchers Field Day June 11

***Courtesy of AM 1440 KRDZ and www.krdz.com***

Livestock owners, managers and land owners are invited to attend an informative Ranchers Field Day on Tuesday, June 11. You will meet for the field day at Dwight and Nancy Rockwell's headquarters just west of Wray. Registration, coffee and rolls will begin at 8:30 am and the field day will begin at 9:00 am and end by 3:00 pm. Young aspiring ranchers are particularly invited to attend. If you are leasing rangeland for your cattle, you are encouraged to bring the property owner. If you are a property owner, you are encouraged to bring your lessee. Both of you will gain valuable information from this field day to help you develop a win-win drought management strategy. For more information or to save a lunch, contact the Yuma County Conservation District in Wray by Tuesday, June 4. Please call 970-332-3173 extension 3 or go to Yuma County Conservation District website at www.ycconservation.com. You may also email julie.elliott@co.usda.gov. There is no registration fee and late registrations and walk-ins are welcome, but will not be guaranteed lunch.

Colorado Centennial Farms Seeks Nominations for 2013 Awards - April 30 Deadline To Apply

***Press Release***

DENVER — Families who have owned and operated their Colorado farm or ranch for 100 years or more are encouraged to submit a nomination to receive a Colorado Centennial Farms award. Selected nominees will be honored at the 27th Annual Centennial Farms Celebration at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, Colo., in August 2013. Farmers and ranchers nominating their property for this award must submit an application providing information about the history of their farm and its buildings by close of business on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

 

 Nominees must meet the following requirements to be selected as a Colorado Centennial Farm:

• Farming or ranching properties must have remained in the same family continuously for at least 100 years
• Each property must still operate as a working farm or ranch­­­
• Farms or ranches must have a minimum of 160 acres
• Properties with fewer than 160 acres can qualify if they gross at least $1,000 in annual sales

 History Colorado and the Colorado Department of Agriculture created the Colorado Centennial Farms Program in 1986 to recognize the important role that agriculture has played in the state’s history and economic development.

 

How to nominate: Download a Colorado Centennial Farms application, or call Lyle Miller at 303-866-2779.

 

Due Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

 

Centennial Farms Awards:

 

The 2013 Colorado Centennial Farms awards will be presented at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo in August. At the ceremony, award recipients will receive a certificate signed by the Governor and a sign to display on their property. In addition, the National Trust for Historic Preservation will recognize families who have maintained the historic buildings on their property that are 50 years old or older.

To date, more than 400 Colorado farms and ranches representing 61 counties across the state have received the Centennial Farms award. The majority of these farms were established between 1880 and 1895.

Questions: Lyle Miller, 303-866-2779 or email lyle.miller@state.co.us

No-Till and Cover/Alternative Crop Workshop Feb 15 in Haxtun

***Courtesy AM 1440 KRDZ and www.krdz.com***

The Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Yuma County Conservation District are having a 'No-Till and Cover/Alternative Crop' workshop at the Haxtun Community Center in Haxtun on Friday, February 15. Registration will begin at 9 am and the workshop will get underway at 9:30 and conclude at 4:00 pm. Refreshments and lunch is provided and there is no registration fee. To reserve a spot and guarantee a lunch register by Friday, February 8 by calling the Yuma County Conservation District at 332-3173 ext. 3 or the Haxtun Conservation District at 970-854-2812 ext. 3.

NJC Diesel students get access to brand new tractor

***Press Release***

Revamped CYF program provides unique teaching opportunity

With all of the manufacturer’s stickers still intact, students in the diesel technology program at Northeastern Junior College knew they were getting a brand new teaching tool in the shop last week. What’s unique about this is that students in this program don’t often get to see or interact with brand new equipment—they are usually working on something older that needs fixed. This spanking new teaching tool is a 2013 Case IH 315 Magnun tractor, delivered to the NJC diesel technology shop by Wickham Tractor Company and the national Case IH company. Students will have the unit in the shop until mid-October and during this time, they will go through the tractor’s operating systems and prepare it to go into the field for fall work.  The delivery of this tractor marks the beginning of a new win, win, win program between Case IH, NJC and the Colorado Young Farmers.

Since 1993 the Colorado Young Farmers have raised money for an annual scholarship fund through the assistance of Case IH by auctioning off blocks of use of a new tractor at their state institute. For a number of years, various Case IH dealers across the state took turns providing the new tractor. However, as field technology has advanced and tractor prices have climbed, it has been more and more difficult for many dealers to commit the availability of a new unit in the heat of the season. There was concern that the program might go by the wayside. 

Then up steps Randy Pauletto, territory sales manager for Case IH,  who decides to help champion the program. He has worked with the CYF program for several years and wanted badly to help keep the program going and if possible, expand it. He joined with Howard Wickham of Wickham Tractor Company in Fort Morgan and Sterling and the two were able to put the pieces together.  Wickham, who understands the value of the program, joined Pauletto to initiate conversation with the national Case IH company about the possibility of expanding the program to include more of an education component. In turn, Wickham Tractor Company would be able to assure the Colorado Young Farmer organization that a new tractor would be available each fall and again each spring for this scholarship program.

Beginning this year, the new tractors will be delivered to the NJC diesel technology program via Wickham, one in the fall and another one in the spring,  where they will be used as teaching tools.. Students will then be responsible for prepping the unit to go to the field to be used by those producers who have purchased the blocks of time during the scholarship auction fundraiser. This unit will go to the Alan Gerk farm for farm tillage work once it leaves the NJC shop. It will then be taken to Johnston Family Farms in Fort Morgan and to Brandon Johnston’s operation in Erie. It will be brought back to the NJC teaching facility after 150 hours of use and students will have an opportunity to go through it and see how the hours have impacted the condition of the systems. The process will be repeated in the spring with another new tractor.

Students in the diesel program will spend three weeks gaining useful knowledge and experience from a modern farm tractor as they learn how the latest technology has advanced the service life of farm tractors and how the Computerized Electronic System Technology (CEST) can be used to help schedule maintenance. The CEST has the ability to log diagnostics right down to the date and time that a malfunction might occur. Under the direction of instructor Harv Rober, students will spend time learning about the hydraulic systems, electrical systems, heavy duty powertrains and diesel fuel systems.

This type of program is not new to Case IH. The national company believes strongly in helping with educational, government or non-profit programs. When given an opportunity to get involved with programs that can impact the availability of future technicians, Cash IH is pleased to be on board. “We have a desperate need for technicians just like you,” Howard Wickham told the students when delivering the tractor. Pauletto told the students that Case IH has some technology that separates it from other companies. “We want this to be the best experience possible. We want it to be a win, win, win deal,” Pauletto said, emphasizing three wins. “Howard understands the value of having scholarships to award to students and he is a dealership that really wants to stand behind this program.”

Pauletto and Wickham admit that with this new arrangement and the redesigning of a program, the curriculum will be created over time. “We are going to make this teaching tool sustainable year after year as part of this program,” Wickham said.  During the presentation to the students, one student raised his hand and asked if they would be able to see the tractor after it has had some hours of use on it. “That’s the exact kind of feedback we want from the students,” Pauletto noted, telling the students that they will see the unit back in the shop after 150 hours of use and they will have it for two weeks before it goes back to the dealership to be sold.

The Colorado Young Farmers award five scholarships each year to college students who are freshmen through seniors.  The freshman and sophomore scholarships are open to any student studying agriculture, including diesel technology. The junior and senior awards are reserved for students completing agriculture education degrees. 

Bryson Miller of Brush, CO, State President for the Colorado Young Farmers was on hand for the presentation of the tractor. Miller said he was excited about this new arrangement and what it means for all those involved. “Education is the forefront of all that’s involved here,” he said. “The Colorado Young Farmers is education based and by changing this program the way we have, we’re able to include an even larger education component and that is exciting, not to mention how valuable the scholarships are to the students.”

Pauletto, assisted by Andrew Zink, manager of field service operations for Case IH, demonstrated for the students how the computer electronic service tool in the tractor is used for troubleshooting on the engine, transmission and hydraulic system. Zink also reviewed all of the systems available on the new Magnum 315. 

Colorado Centennial Farms Celebrates the Strength, Endurance and Perseverance of Farming and Ranching Families

***Press Release***

Ten Colorado farms and ranches will be recognized at the State Fair in Pueblo on Aug. 24

Denver — Ten Colorado families who have owned and operated their farm or ranch for 100 years or more will be recognized during the 26th Annual Centennial Farms Celebration on Friday, August 24 at 4 p.m. The awards ceremony will be held on the Pepsi Stage in Family Park at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, Colo., where honorees will receive a certificate signed by Governor John Hickenlooper and other state officials, as well as a sign to display on their property.

Ed Nichols, President and CEO of History Colorado and John Salazar, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture, will make acknowledgements and present awards to family representatives.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recognizes families who have demonstrated stewardship of their historic agricultural sites by maintaining four or more structures on their property that have survived for 50 years with a Historic Structures Award, and 12 of the 18 families will be recognized.

 

2012 Colorado Centennial Farm Awardees:

Farm/Ranch Name                                    Year Settled                       Town, County

Corliss Ranch	1895	Stratton/ Kit Carson
Gayle and Richard Anderson Farm	1911	Sedgwick/ Sedgwick
George Poe Family Farm	1912	Stratton/ Kit Carson
Greenwood Farm	1912	Holyoke/ Phillips
Hogan Ranch	1899	Kit Carson/ Cheyenne
John Allen Ranch LLC	1911	Craig/ Moffat
Magnuson Farm	1910	Eaton/ Weld
Porter Farm	1912	Lindon/ Washington
Ruben Richardson Farm	1911	Yuma/ Yuma
Templeton Ranch on Tabeguache Creek	1910	Nucla/ Montrose

 

The Centennial Farms Program started in 1986. It is sponsored by History Colorado, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Colorado State Fair, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The awards honor Colorado’s families who have maintained ownership of their land for more than a century in spite of the economic challenges that face modern farming. At the ceremony, a brief history of each farm is presented, including stories of prosperity and hardship. Family representatives are available for interviews at a reception following the ceremony.

“These long-standing farm and ranch families play an integral role in preserving important aspects of Colorado’s history,” said Nichols. “In spite of the pressures of growth, changes in farming methods, drought, and economic conditions, these families have maintained their way of life while many historic barns and other agricultural sites around the nation are disappearing at an alarming rate.”

 

For more information about the Centennial Farms Program or to receive an application and brochure, please call the State Historical Fund at 303-866-2825 or vist ColoradoCentennialFarms.org.

 

 

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About History ColoradoEstablished in 1879, the Colorado Historical Society—today’s History Colorado—preserves Colorado’s rich heritage through the State Historical Fund, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, collections stewardship, statewide museums and programs for students, educators and visitors of all ages. History Colorado is headquartered in the History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203 in Denver’s Golden Triangle Museum District. Find History Colorado at Facebook.com/HistoryColorado and @HistoryColorado. For more information, visit HistoryColorado.org or call (303) HISTORY.

Yuma Ethanol, LLC to pay $5,850 penalty for Risk Management Program violations

***Press Release***


(Denver, Colo. - Aug 6, 2012) Yuma Ethanol, LLC has agreed to pay a $5,850 civil penalty and correct violations relating to the storage and use of toxic and flammable substances at its ethanol plant in Yuma, Colorado. An EPA inspection of the plant in October 2011 found the company had violated Risk Management Program regulations under the Clean Air Act. By agreeing to the settlement announced today, the company has certified that the facility is now in compliance with these regulations.

"These requirements ensure that facilities have up-to-date procedures in place to prevent and respond to releases of toxic chemicals used on-site,” said Mike Gaydosh, EPA’s Enforcement Director in Denver. “Failure to comply with these requirements can leave the public and environment at risk from accidental releases."
Under the Clean Air Act, the Yuma Ethanol facility was required to maintain a risk management plan because it exceeded the 10,000-pound storage threshold for anhydrous ammonia, an extremely hazardous chemical, and natural gasoline, a flammable substance used to denature ethanol. Yuma Ethanol was storing approximately 97,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia at the time of the EPA inspection.

This enforcement action will benefit the community, which includes minority and low-income areas. Minority populations comprise nearly half of the residents within a five-mile radius of the facility and 45 percent are below poverty level. Approximately 35 percent of the area’s population is Hispanic.

EPA enforces the Risk Management Program regulations of the Clean Air Act with the goal of preventing accidental chemical releases and minimizing the impact of releases or other accidents that may occur. The establishment of effective risk management plans helps companies, industries and municipalities operate responsibly, assists emergency responders by providing vital information necessary to address accidents and other incidents, protects the environment by preventing and minimizing damage from accidental releases, and keeps communities safer.

For more information on the Clean Air Act and risk management requirements: http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/rmp/caa_faqs.htm

NJC Prospect Show results released

As the summer fair circuit arrives, you’ll want to be watching for some of these entries that were the stand-out winners during the 2012 Northeastern Junior College Aggies Livestock Prospect Show held here in late April.  According to show organizers, 103 families from   Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming represented more than 120 contestants at the event, entering just under 250 animals.

Top winners in the various categories were as follows:

Showmanship Competitions (by species and age of showman)-- Goat:  Novice – Sara Wylie, Akron; Junior – Lacey Niccoli, Sterling, CO; Intermediate – Tanner Fetzer, Kersey; Senior – Kathleen Heupel, Weldona.  Swine:  Novice – Gabe Vickers, Fort Morgan; Junior – Paige Miller, Torrington, WY; Intermediate – Tanner Fetzer, Kersey

Senior – Aaron Hamilton, Model. Beef: Novice – Trista Lebsack, Bennett; Junior – Stevie Johnson, Imperial, NE; Intermediate – Courtney Ostermiller, Veteran, WY; Senior – Shandra Johnson, Imperial, NE.

Sheep:  Novice – MacKenzie Liakos, Bayard, NE; Junior – Faith Fetzer, Kersey; Intermediate – Kendra Folet, Greeley; Senior – Brianne Hessler, Mitchell, NE.

Market Swine: Grand Champion – Paige Miller, Torrington, WY;  Reserve Champion – Weston Heidenreich,  Gill.

Breeding Heifers: Grand Champion – Caitlyn Ochsner, Kersey; Reserve Champion – Bryce Hill, Sterling.

Market Sheep: Grand Champion – Ryan Liakos, Bayard, NE; Reserve Champion – Mackenzie Liakos, Bayard, NE.

Market Beef:  Grand Champion – Courtney Ostermiller, Veteran, WY; Reserve Champion– Tyler Camblin, Holyoke

Market Goats: Grand Champion– Tanner Fetzer, Kersey; Reserve Champion – Ben Weinwroth, Sedalia.

The number of goat entries was down some  this year as a major show was also taking place in Weld County on the same weekend as this event. Winners of this show are expected to be top contenders at other summer contests. 

Colorado Centennial Farms Seeks Nominations for 2012 Awards

***Press Release***

May 16 deadline!

 

 

DENVER — Families who have owned and operated their farm or ranch for 100 years or more are encouraged to submit a nomination to receive a Colorado Centennial Farms award. Selected nominees will be honored at the 25th Annual Centennial Farms Celebration at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, Colo., in August 2012. Farmers and ranchers nominating their property for this award must submit an application providing information about the history of their farm and its buildings by end of day on Monday, May 16, 2012.

 Nominees must meet the following requirements to be honored as a Colorado Centennial Farm:

• Farming or ranching properties must have remained in the same family continuously for at least 100 years
• Each property must still be a working farm or ranch
• Farms or ranches must have a minimum of 160 acres
• However, properties with fewer than 160 acres can qualify if they gross at least $1,000 in annual sales

 History Colorado and the Colorado Department of Agriculture created the Colorado Centennial Farms Program in 1986 to recognize the important role that agriculture has played in the state’s history and economic development.

 

How to nominate:  Download a Colorado Centennial Farms application, or call Lyle Miller at 303-866-2779.

 

Due Date: May 16, 2012

Centennial Farms Awards:

The 2012 Colorado Centennial Farms awards will be presented at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo in August. At the ceremony, award recipients will receive a certificate signed by the Governor and a sign to display on their property. In addition, the National Trust for Historic Preservation will recognize families who have maintained the historic buildings on their property that are 50 years old or older.

To date, more than 400 Colorado farms and ranches representing 61 counties across the state have received the Centennial Farms award. The majority of these farms were established between 1880 and 1895.

Questions: Lyle Miller, 303-866-2779 or email  lyle.miller@state.co.us