The sixth annual Arkansas Valley Farm/Ranch/Water Symposium and Trade Show is scheduled Feb. 4 in Rocky Ford.
This year’s topics include bio-diesel, renewable energy and drain tile repair and cleaning. The symposium will also provide a marketing outlook on corn, hay and cattle, updates on livestock health issues, brand laws and livestock transport.
The water topics will include operation of the Pueblo Reservoir and an update on the irrigation efficiency rules. The lunch time and breaks throughout the day will provide an opportunity to visit with the various vendors.
Hal Holder, Big Squeeze LLC, will discuss producing bio-diesel from oil seed crops. Fred Hefley will discuss utilizing wind for irrigation systems. Doug Tecklenburg will provide information on the use of solar power to operate livestock wells. Cody Ridennoure will enlighten the group on the use of solar energy in the home.
A panel discussion will outline the various financial incentives available to producers that utilize renewable energy alternatives. The panel will consist of Judy Fosdick, Solarway LLC; Joe Kost, Rural Development; Jack Wolfe, Southeast Colorado Power Association; Rhonda Venditti, Black Hills Energy; and Bob Mailander, Governor’s Energy Office.
An update on the Arkansas Valley Drainage Assessment Project will be presented by John Wilkins-Wells, a senior research scientist in the Department of Sociology, Colorado State University.
Short update sessions will cover topics affecting today’s farmers and ranchers. Dr. Stephen Koontz, economist and commodity trading associate professor at Colorado State University, will present a marketing outlook for corn, hay and cattle. Dr. Nick Striegel, assistant state veterinarian, will provide updates on livestock health and proposed changes to the Trichomoniasis rules. Roy Vaughan, Bureau of Reclamation, will present "Fry-Ark 101 – Operation of the Pueblo Reservoir." Rick Wahlert, Colorado Brand Inspection Division director, will provide an update on Colorado brand and livestock transport laws. As a follow-up to last year’s symposium, Steve Witte, the Division 2 engineer with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, will outline the newly passed irrigation efficiency rules.
The symposium will be conducted at the Gobin Community Building in Rocky Ford with registration beginning at 8 a.m. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. Early registration is $20 per person or $30 per couple before Jan. 29 ($25 and $35, respectfully, after January 29). Student registration is $5.
For information call Janet Golden or Natalie Edmundson, CSU Extension office in Rocky Ford at (719) 254-7608, or visit the Web site www.farmranchwater.org.
Rocky Ford, Colo. —
