Farm Radio

GRAIN STOCKS – JUNE 1, 2020  COLORADO All corn stocks in Colorado on June 1, 2020 were 48.12 million bushels, up 37 percent from June 1, 2019, according to the June 1 Agricultural Survey and June Grain Stocks Report conducted by the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. All corn stocks stored on farms amounted to 28.00 million bushels, up 75 percent from a year ago. All corn stored off farms amounted to 20.12 million bushels, up 5 percent from a year ago. Off-farm sorghum stocks were 689,000 bushels, down 60 percent from last year. Off-farm oat stocks in Colorado were estimated at 27,000 bushels, down 45 percent from last year. Offfarm barley stocks totaled 4.20 million bushels, down 29 percent from last year. All wheat stocks in Colorado on June 1, 2020 were 22.82 million bushels, up 8 percent from June 1, 2019. All wheat stocks stored on farms amounted to 4.10 million bushels, up 5 percent from a year ago. All wheat stored off f...

Governor Jared Polis  requested activation  of Colorado’s Drought Task Force and Phase 2 of the State Drought Mitigation and Response Plan this week as drought conditions deepen, reaching more than 81% of the state, with severe and extreme drought conditions in 33% of the state (40 counties).   Colorado’s Drought Task Force - which includes leadership from the Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Local Affairs, Public Safety, and the Colorado Water Conservation Board - determined the need to activate Phase 2 of the  Drought Plan  on June 18 after a third of the state reached extreme drought conditions. “Phase 2” indicates officially directing the Drought Task Force to assess initial damages and impacts of drought in areas experiencing severe or extreme drought and to recommend mitigation measures. This Phase also activates the Agricultural Impact Task Force, which will conduct an initial assessment on physical and economic impacts and recommend op...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 9, 2020 Contact:  Mary Peck, 720-428-0441,  mary.peck@state.co.us Broomfield, Colo.  -  The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has confirmed new cases of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV2) in domestic rabbits in Weld County, adding to cases previously reported in El Paso and Montezuma Counties. Additionally, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has verified cases of RHDV2 in wild and feral rabbits in Alamosa, El Paso, Prowers, and Pueblo counties.   A current map of confirmed cases in Colorado is available on CDA’s  Animal Health Division RHDV2 webpage .  Current CDA guidance on rabbit shows and fairs can be found  here .   With incidents of RHDV2 increasing in Colorado and western states, CDA and CPW are asking the public to watch for multiple dead or sick rabbits, which can suggest RHDV2 or a sign of tularemia or plague, diseases that can cause serious illness in people. Do not handle o...

Broomfield, Colo.  - Colorado communities and businesses in need of personal protective equipment (PPE) to support worker safety and operations of critical agricultural production in the wake of the COVID-19 public health emergency should make requests for equipment through local emergency managers. As the growing season progresses for produce and other ag sectors in Colorado, the need for masks and other PPE is expected to increase amidst the demand from other business sectors opening.  “Agriculture is an essential business and protecting worker health and safety is critical for the well being of every single person doing the work of getting food to the table, and for maintaining a strong supply chain,” said Kate Greenberg, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture. A statewide listing of local emergency managers can be found  here .

The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) reminds veterinarians and rabbit owners that reporting suspected occurrences of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV2), including sudden, elevated numbers of rabbit deaths, is mandatory.  Disease reports are identified by the county of occurrence only,  and all other personal information is protected from open record requests.   "This disease is very contagious and fatal to domestic and wild rabbits,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Keith Roehr. “The appropriate response by rabbit owners is vital to limiting further spread of the disease from affected rabbit facilities."   The USDA and the state veterinarian’s office are currently investigating a case of domestic rabbit die off in El Paso county. The carcasses were disposed of and unavailable for testing, but the case is being managed as a presumptive positive due to the clinical signs exhibited prior to death. RHDV2 does not affect humans or domestic specie...

The National Bison Association welcomed the news on Friday that the Government of Mexico has formally opened its doors to import U.S. – produced bison meat into that country. The move formally opens the doors to a new market for U.S. bison meat. “This is a very positive development for the bison business,” said Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association. “The Mexican marketplace offers a growth opportunity for our business. Additionally, many consumers in Mexico tend to favor cuts of meat that are not in high demand by U.S. customers, so this can help our marketers balance carcass utilization.” At the request of the National Bison Association, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service formally petitioned Mexico in 2018 to open their market to U.S. bison meat. That request led to extensive discussions between agricultural officials in the two countries over the protocols and procedures that would be required from exporters. Last week, Mexico formally agreed t...

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is accepting listings for the 2020 Colorado Hay Directory. The annual publication connects hay producers with buyers. “Every year livestock owners from across the state and nation call requesting information about Colorado hay,” said Wendy White, marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “We are excited to have a publication that helps producers market their hay and serves as a resource for the livestock industry.”  The listing fee is $25, and the deadline is June 15, 2020. The listing form is available  at  www.coloradoagriculture.com  or by contacting the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The directory will be available in August at  www.coloradoagriculture.com/ hay , through CSU Extension offices and various horse and livestock associations in the state, as well as at agricultural events. Each listing includes the type and amount of hay available, bale type and size, whether or not l...