Farm Radio

Lots of Milk! (Photo from Youtube.com) The latest milk production data from USDA shows farmers are still harvesting a lot of milk, even with low prices. Colorado's production is leading the way in the amount of milk produced in the U.S. Colorado has increased production by 11% over last year, Kansas reports a 7.55 increase and Texas is up by 6.6%. Nationwide, milk production is up 1.3% from last year in the top 23 milk producing states. USDA is also reporting the highest per cow milk production numbers- with individual cow production averaging just over 19,000 pounds per month.

The House of Representatives placed the farm bill back in the court of the Senate, voting to move towards conference yesterday. The voice vote approval paves the way for the Senate to consider similar action so the two chambers can appoint conferees to mend differences between the House and Senate versions of the farm bill. Now, the Senate must also vote to proceed to conference and appoint conferees. However, when the conference committee will convene remains uncertain, before or after the August recess. The current farm bill expires September 30th. Wheat harvest is nearing completion (about 85% complete). Dryland yields are averaging 40 bushels per acre, irrigated about 80 bushels per acre. Of course where hail and heavy winds have hit, those yields are much lower. In addition, farmers in NE Colorado are dealing with an epic sawfly infestation. There is not much they can do but ride it out at this point in the growing season. There is a photo of a f...

(From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting ) Japan Will Resume Sheep and Goat Imports from U.S. (Photo credit: African  Farming) Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the Japanese government has finalized the technical requirements that will allow U.S. sheep and goat exports to Japan to resume for the first time in 14 years. U.S. Meat Export Federation Chair Dennis Stiffler says Japan was a primary market for U.S. lamb before losing access in December of 2003 because of mad cow disease detection in the American cattle herd. “Our lamb producers and the overall industry are very excited about the opportunity to export our quality products to an upscale market,” Stiffler says. “The Japanese have proven in the past that they’re very receptive to the unique flavor of U.S. lamb.” While U.S. lamb has already been well-received in other markets like Taiwan, which reopened to U.S. lamb in 2016, Japan presents an exceptional opportunity for significant export growth. Japan...

Recently, on AgriTalk, there was discussion on what makes Colorado Corn production different than that of the mid-west. I had not really thought of all the differences, but here are some of the main things that were mentioned: -Colorado is overall and colder climate than the mid-west. -In Colorado, there is a lot of silage, which means more passes through the field, which also that means more fuel costs. And because of the field passes, more carbon escapes from fields compared to the mid-west states. Even though it is replaced with manure, the high winds still make it imperative the Colorado producers monitor fields for adequate carbon. No till in Colorado may also require more passes through the filed to take away tracks in the field. -Colorado adds phosphorus, mid-west states don't need to. -Colorado has more salt in the soil, leading to high PH situations- again mid-west states have to add in salt sources such as sulphur and/or lime. -Colorado uses primarily cow manu...

Planting season continues in Colorado. According to the latest Colorado Agriculture Statistics, Crop Progress Report, corn is now 16% planted and 1% emerged. Although some moisture has been received, primarily in Northeast Colorado. Drought conditions to prevail cross Eastern Colorado., especially in Southeast Colorado where there is a lot of concern not only for crops, but for Livestock and range conditions.  Colorado State University, Golden Plains Area Extension Agent, Ron Meyer in a press release cites Agronomists as saying that 50-55 degrees is optimal for planting corn. That along with a two-inch soil depth. CSU is conducting a groundwater use and availability study. It is called the Agricultural Data Reporting and Incentives program (AgDRIP). It is a voluntary program where individual irrigation wells will be used to collect use information and compare it to crop yields. This will show differences in seasonal water use and it's influence in crop production. No specifi...

B y: Lorrie Boyer, KSIR Farm News Director I will be heading to Washington D.C. next week for a very busy and productive few days. First, as President-Elect of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, I will be involved in our spring board meeting and taking part in a dinner with graduates of our NAFB 2018 leadership academy. Following that, I will be attending scheduled press conferences and briefings with several policy influencers, in what we call NAFB Washington Watch. One of the highlights of the visit, is a trip to the USDA Building, where attending farm broadcasters have the rare opportunity to ask USDA Secretary, Sonny Purdue direct and individual questions. Also invited to this event is Environmental Agency Administrator, Scott Pruitt, Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Program, Greg Ibach , Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Ted McKinney and Under Secretary for the Farm and Foreign Agric...