Colorado experienced mixed weather again last week with conditions deteriorating in drought-stricken areas and fieldwork delayed in others due to heavy rainfall, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
With drought conditions continuing over one-third of the state, The United States Department of Agriculture and Small Business Administration have added seven more counties to the list receiving primary disaster designations from the two agencies. Primary counties now account for 31 of Colorado's 64 counties. Eleven more are eligible for assistance as neighboring counties.
* PRIMARY NESTING SEASON - March 15th- July 15 - NO CRP Contract Management ALLOWED
* FARM LOAN Personnel in Kiowa County Service Center - Tuesday, June 12th
* FSA County Committee Meeting - June 12th
Signup Begins June 4 for Livestock Indemnity Program and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting disaster assistance program applications on June 4 from agricultural producers who suffered livestock, honeybees, farm-raised fish and other losses due to natural disasters.
One-Year Extension Available to Holders of Many Expiring Contracts through Continuous Signup
Planting activities kept pace with the average last week amidst mixed weather, including above normal temperatures and isolated thunderstorms in areas, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
In northwestern counties, reporters noted rangeland was in mostly fair to good condition and that livestock were being turned out for the summer. Water was noted to be started on irrigated meadows.
The number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Colorado feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or larger was estimated at 940,000 head as of May 1, 2018. The latest inventory is 1 percent below last month's inventory and 2 percent below the May 1, 2017 inventory.
Cattle feeders with 1,000 head or larger capacity marketed an estimated 150,000 head of fed cattle during April 2018. This was 6 percent below the previous month's marketings, but 20 percent above the marketings one year earlier.
The Kearny County Conservation District, along with dozens of sponsors, is launching a conference to help agricultural producers improve practices and profitability in dry climates.
The Bottom Line Conference for Farmers and Ranchers is intended to be an annual event and will feature experts who will speak to soil health, grazing practices, financial management and more over the course of two days.
Topics include
The Finney County Conservation District along with the Finney County Extension Council is presenting their 4thAnnual Ag Women of the Heartland Conference June 1-2, 2018. The theme for this year's conference is "Keep Calm and Farm On" and will include presentations from Kansas Ag Women with a focus on adapting and overcoming adversity. Registration is $25 (two for the price of one when you bring a first-time attendee.)
