Farm News & Views

A look into the complexities of water rights, agricultural use, and the continued search for shared solutions in the Colorado River basin as drought conditions continue.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to the cross-species outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza that is now infecting cattle as well as poultry, the CSU Montezuma County Extension has announced their 2024 Land Management Workshop series, and a look at how irrigation water is valued in the Midwest versus the West.

Agriculture in Indian Country generated almost $6.5 billion in 2022, avian influenza has led to infections and depopulation of more than 115 million chickens and turkeys, the collapse of the Baltimore Key Bridge and shut down the Port of Baltimore impacts farm machinery and agricultural exports, low water levels in the Mississippi River continue to affect agricultural transport, and U.S. farm income is falling as low commodity prices, trade headwinds, and higher costs squeeze profits.

The Bureau of Land Management announces a new draft plan to protect the greater sage grouse on sagebrush range lands in several Western states, the U.S. Senate passes a resolution to overturn the USDA’s rule that would allow Paraguayan fresh beef imports,

Agricultural losses from the Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles, the USDA finalizes the "Product of the U.S.A." labeling rule for meat, poultry, and eggs, researchers develop the first transgenic cow capable of producing human insulin, corn prices are expected to be down this year, and how a calf roping contestant made sure he didn't miss the rodeo.

The impacts from the Smokehouse Fire on farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma and Texas, a new website offers help with livestock and pasture management for small acreage landowners, the Four Corners Region remains abnormally dry, and a recent study finds the pesticide chlormequat in an overwhelming majority of oat-based products.

Wildfires in the panhandle of Texas and south central Oklahoma could impact beef supply, more concerns about getting a new Farm Bill passed in Congress, the EPA announces a new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,and cases of canine respiratory disease in Colorado have dropped significantly.

Cattle prices reach a record high, falling water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer create uncertainty for farmers and municipalities, and a strong El Nino weather pattern has kept winter temperatures warmer this year.

The USDA releases the 2022 Ag Census, revealing that since 2017 the U.S. lost nearly 142,000 farms and more than 20.1 million acres of productive farmland, that just over 26,000 farms account for 50% of all sales for all products, and an overall continued rise in the average age of farmers.

Problems with Dicamba herbicide leaves farmers caught in the middle, a new Farm Bill continues to languish in Congress, and a Livestock Workshop Series will offer local producers educational opportunities.