|
|
Farm/Ranch/Water Symposium and Trade Show to be held in Rocky FordColorado Mark your calendar for the eighth annual Arkansas Valley Farm/Ranch/Water Symposium and Trade Show, scheduled for Feb. 2 in Rocky Ford, Colo. This year's symposium includes a variety of topics: Agriculture energy audits, weather predictions, livestock and hay outlooks, media relations for farmer/ranchers, safe food processing practices and information about state water projects. The lunch break and other breaks through the day will allow plenty of time to visit the 16 vendors from throughout Eastern Colorado. Visit the vendors and see the latest in technology on irrigation, water issues, energy efficiency products, and what area businesses have to offer. Lunch will be catered by Frontier Diner. As a special treat, Brian Bledsoe, chief meteorologist with KKTV with enlighten the audience on the weather and climate. He will also reveal his predictions of how the easing La Niña will affect the agricultural community. Stephen Koontz, Ph.D., economist and commodity trading associate professor, Colorado State University, will present a marketing outlook for corn, hay and cattle. Cary Weiner the Clean Energy Specialist for Colorado State University Extension and co-director of CSU's new Center for Agricultural Energy will be discussing Agricultural Energy Audits and what energy cost-saving opportunities exist for producers. Mary Miller of Triple M Bar Ranch will discuss strategies for farmers and ranchers to consider when they are working with the media. Tracy Vanderpool oversees the Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program of the Colorado Department of Agriculture and will give an overview of the fundamentals of Good Agricultural Practices/Good Handling Practices including food safety plans and how a third-party audits are conducted. The afternoon will include topics on water in Colorado. Heath Kuntz of Adaptive Resources, Inc. will give an update on the Super Ditch's Catlin pilot leasing project and Rule 10. Perry Cabot, Ph.D., of the Colorado Water Institute and Colorado State University will explain Water 2012, whose goal is to engage Coloradans in a statewide celebration of water: past, present, and future. Steve Witte and Bill Tyner both of the Colorado Division of Water Resources will discuss past and present issues facing lower Arkansas Valley water users. Ken Newens, DVM with Colorado Department of Agriculture, will give us an update on traceability rules, changes in the scrapie program, and also a brief update on trichomoniasis, brucellosis, and tuberculosis in Colorado. The Symposium will be held at the Gobin Community Building in Rocky Ford, Colo., with registration beginning at 8 a.m. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. Registration is $25 per person or $35 per couple. Student registration is $5. For more information, contact the CSU Extension office in Rocky Ford at 719-254-7608, visit www.farmranchwater.org, or go to www.facebook.com/farmranchwater.
|
|
