Farm Radio

I n response to historic drought conditions, NRCS is offering $41.8 million through EQIP’s new Conservation Incentive Contracts to help agricultural producers in Arizona, California, Colorado and Oregon alleviate the immediate impacts of drought and other natural resource challenges on working lands. Signup for this targeted funding ends July 12, 2021.   The EQIP CIC offers the traditional NRCS conservation practices as well as conservation enhancement activities that are typically only available through the  Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) . The EQIP CIC will offer producers that opportunity to implement both conservation practices and enhancement activities during the 5-year contract period.  NRCS will set aside $11.8 million directly for practices including forest management plans, tree/shrub establishment, brush management, prescribed grazing, pasture and hay planting, wildlife habitat, livestock watering systems and...

  06-11-2021: Click her for interview with National Farmers Union  06-10-2021: Click here for interview with Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association 

  First Annual Cattlewomen’s College (Cheyenne Wells, Colo.) CSU Extension is excited to announce the first annual Cattlewomen’s College (CWC) that features Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification, learning how to “Share Your Story” social media session, meat selection tools, Meat Science Boot Camp, financial resources, and rangeland health and outlook in a one day in-person with a virtual option workshop. Presenters are from Colorado State University, University of Nebraska Extension, Lamar Community College, and Otero Junior College. CWC will be held Wednesday, May 19 at the Otero County Extension office in Rocky Ford beginning with registration at 8:45 a.m. “This workshop was inspired by Florida Extension educators when I attended the Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) Leadership Conference in 2020. These educators incorporated tools for producers in Florida and I realized this would be a timely opportunity for any person in our aspiring to be involved with...

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2,  2021 Contact: Danielle Trotta, 970-372-9351,  Danielle.Trotta@state.co.us   Broomfield, Colo.   - The Department of Agriculture is offering six FREE virtual marketing webinars this spring to help educate ag and food business owners on state-of-the-art ways to connect with consumers through the latest public relations, marketing, branding and social media strategies. Colorado Proud has teamed up with ROOT Marketing & PR to offer the free webinars every other Thursday from 12:00 -1:00 p.m. beginning April 8. Each session will include time for live Q&A. The webinars will be recorded and available to Colorado Proud members any time. Read full descriptions of each webinar on the department of agriculture’s  website . “These webinars will connect business owners with industry leaders and provide valuable information to help them succeed,” said Danielle Trotta, Colorado Proud program manager. “The presenters are actively e...

 LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER – FEBRUARY 2021 UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS  Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.39 billion pounds in February, down 1 percent from the 4.45 billion pounds produced in February 2020. Beef production, at 2.11 billion pounds, was 1 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.52 million head, down 2 percent from February 2020. The average live weight was up 14 pounds from the previous year, at 1,390 pounds. Veal production totaled 4.7 million pounds, 8 percent below February a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 33,000 head, down 17 percent from February 2020. The average live weight was up 23 pounds from last year, at 247 pounds. Pork production totaled 2.27 billion pounds, down 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.4 million head, down 3 percent from February 2020. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 291 pounds. Lamb and mutton production, at 10.8 million pounds, was up...

  Broomfield, Colo.   - The Colorado Department of Agriculture is excited to work with the Governor’s Office and legislative leaders from both parties to pass and implement the Colorado Recovery Plan.  The plan invests heavily in our rural and agricultural communities to ensure they build back quicker and stronger from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the many important investments, the recovery plan calls for one-time funding that includes: $20-35 million in agriculture supply chain infrastructure grants $2-3 million in funding to expand market access through Colorado Proud $2-5 million in agricultural drought response and recovery $3-5 million in agricultural renewable energy and energy efficiency grants $7-10 million in support for the National Western Stock Show and State Fair $10-20 million in funding for State Water Plan projects The proposal also includes significant investments in rural broadband, small businesses, and education and childcar...