Farm Radio

 The Colorado Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce the release of the 2019 Colorado Farm Fresh Directory, a free publication that connects consumers with farmers’ markets, roadside stands, u-picks, wineries and agritourism activities throughout the state.  “For 35 years we have connected producers and consumers through Farm Fresh,” said Wendy White, marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “I love to see how excited everyone gets when local products are readily available.” The 2019 Colorado Farm Fresh Directory features more than 200 farms, ranches, roadside stands, u-picks and Community Supported Agriculture programs, and 100 farmers’ markets across the state. With 50 new listings this year, Farm Fresh includes farms offering tours, restaurants using local ingredients, wineries, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and farm and ranch vacations. A guide to county fairs, a crop calendar, food and agricultural festivals and tips for picking Colorad...

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced today the availability of a  new web-based tool  – developed in partnership with the University of Wisconsin – to help dairy producers evaluate various scenarios using different coverage levels through the new  Dairy Margin Coverage  (DMC) program. The 2018 Farm Bill authorized DMC, a voluntary risk management program that offers financial protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. It replaces the program previously known as the Margin Protection Program for Dairy. Sign up for this USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) program opens on June 17. “With sign-up for the DMC program just weeks away, we encourage producers to use this new support tool to help make decisions on participation in the program,” Secretary Perdue said.  “Dairy producers have faced tough challenges over the years, bu...

The Bad, the Ugly, the Good on Wheat Lorrie Boyer “We are seeing less seeded wheat; lowest seeded area on record,  which is being attributed to rain in the plains last season causing planting issues,” says Senior Vice President of Communications for U.S. Wheat Associates, Steve Mercer. The bad here is that the trend is continuing and typically prices would rise for farmers as a result of this situation, but prices are staying flat, according to Mercer. Further, he says that the Russian crop is dominating in price buying in the middle East and “their crop looks good. They are a major player.” That is what causing the lack of price bump for U.S. farmers. That being said, prices are up over this time last year, but “they are not where we expect.” The ugly here is that the most recent USDA Stocks Report shows that there are 1.5 billion bushels of wheat stocks in the U.S. alone. He says that producers have done a good job producing wheat and conditions have been favorable. However...

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the initial down-select list of  136  Expressions of Interest received from parties in 35 states   vying to become the new homes of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).  USDA is following a  rigorous site selection process  to identify the new locations with involvement from USDA, ERS, and NIFA leadership.  “The announcement of this middle list shows that we are committed to the important missions of these agencies and transparency in our selection process. USDA will make the best choice for our employees and customers,” Perdue said. “Relocation will help ensure that USDA is the most effective, most efficient, and most customer-focused agency in the federal government, allowing us to be closer to our stakeholders and move our resources closer to our customers.”  For this initial down-select...

It's going to be a busy few weeks for the KSIR Ag News Department. We will be at the Colorado Farm in our regular booth spot, in the Exhibition building January 29-31. We will be broadcasting from there and invite everyone to stop and say hi. On January 30, KSIR Farm News Director, Lorrie Boyer will be flying out to New Orleans, LA to attend the National Cattlemen's Beef Association annual meeting. She will be speaking as President of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, helping run the NAFB booth and conduct interviews. Then, immediately after, she heads to San Antonio, TX. to attend the National Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting. There she will be speaking, moderating panels and Emceeing their auction fundraiser. Sandwiched in there is spending some time at the Governor's Ag Forum on February 28th in Denver. Prior to the forum, the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association will hold their annual meeting, on February 27th. Boyer ...

The 2019 Farm Bill agreement has been reached in the Senate and House Ag Committees. Still needs to be written and voted on By Congress. Lots of factors including it being a Lame Duck Session and the passing of George H.W. Bush are holding the process up. A trade deal has been reached between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. It will replace NAFTA if ratified by U.S. Congress. It is called the USMCA. China has agreed to halt trade wars with the U.S. and will be buying farm goods again. The sticking point is that there is still a high 25% tariff) on ag commodities by China. Farmers are expressing concern over the lack of a new farm bill in the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The monthly survey in November asked producers how concerned they were regarding the farm bill. 75 percent of respondents said they were either somewhat or very concerned about the lack of a new farm bill with 33 percent of respondents indicating they were very concerned. Just 24 percen...

Lorrie Boyer Named 2019 NAFB President Boyer to lead 900+ members PLATTE CITY, Missouri (November 16, 2018) – Veteran Farm Broadcaster Lorrie Boyer, current farm director at KSIR in Fort Morgan, Colorado, was named 2019 president at the 75th National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention, held November 7-9, 2018, in Kansas City, Missouri. “NAFB is honored to have Lorrie Boyer represent our association as president for the 2019 calendar year,” said Tom Brand, executive director, NAFB. “Her passion for farm broadcasting, creativity, and outgoing personality will represent our 900+ members well.” In her role with KSIR, Boyer covers issues at the local, state and national levels. “I serve my community by staying on top of ag issues impacting their bottom lines,” Boyer said. “I book and produce interviews and hourly market reports; and I offer daily ag news headlines for the KSIR audience.” Boyer also recognizes the importance of her station as well as her r...