Farm Radio

  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...

  Livestock Industry Advocates ‘Colorado Livestock Proud Day’ Proclamation by the Governor   GREELEY, CO - Colorado Livestock Association was joined by Colorado Dairy Farmers, Colorado Egg Producers, Colorado Pork Producers Council, Colorado Wool Growers Association and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union in a request for Governor Polis to declare March 22, 2021 Colorado Livestock Proud Day in the state of Colorado. The industry was notified today that the Governor officially signed the  proclamation . This official declaration by the Governor is a step forward in setting the record straight  concerning the misinformation perpetuated about the livestock industry’s impact on the environment, human nutrition, and animal welfare. The proclamation states: Colorado Livestock Proud Day WHEREAS, farmers and ranchers raise livestock to provide nutritious, affordable protein for families across the state, and throughout the nation, and animal proteins supply the body with essential ...

  Colorado Meat Products Matter, Says RMFU Colorado Governor Jared Polis recently issued a proclamation naming March 20 as “MeatOut Day,” a concept that fails to work for Colorado agriculture. Rocky Mountain Farmers Union is disappointed in this proclamation, as it does not celebrate the nutrient and protein dense selection of meats that family farmers and ranchers produce across the state.  “ Meat production dominates Colorado agriculture, the state’s second largest industry. It provides invaluable nutrition, sustains our rural economies and, when managed properly, improves the environment,” says Dr. Dale McCall, president of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.  McCall says ranchers want what is best for their livestock for the simple reason that prioritizing animal welfare is good for business and is in keeping with what consumers are asking for from producers. Meats from cattle, lambs, hogs, and chickens are consumer favorites at home and in restaurants. “ We need to ce...

 USDA TO SURVEY FARMERS’ PLANTING INTENTIONS FOR 2021 LAKEWOOD, Colo. –  February 19, 2021 – As the 2021 crop production season begins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers nationwide to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season. “Each year, the agriculture industry eagerly awaits USDA’s Prospective Plantings report, which provides the first survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ planting intentions for the year,” said Bill Meyer, Director, Mountain Regional Field Office.  “The March Agricultural Survey provides the factual data that underpins these projections, making it one of the most important surveys we conduct each year.” NASS will mail the survey questionnaire this week, asking producers to provide information about the types of crops they intend to plant in 2021, how many acres they intend to plant, and the amounts of grain and oilseed they store on their farms. NASS encoura...