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to Looper legislation
DENVER — The state House of Representatives voted 46-18 April 22 in support of House Bill 1325, which aims to create a pilot program for the purposes of assisting agricultural producers in navigating the bureaucratic Federal H-2A visa program.
“The Federal H-2A program is designed to provide the agricultural industry with temporary seasonal guest workers. Unfortunately the program is broken,” said Alan Foutz, CFB president. “These seasonal workers perform very physically demanding work; work that must be done in order to deliver food from the farm to the table.
“It’s unfortunate that the debate got drug through the mud. We understand that emotions run high when we talk about this issu. However, what is important to remember is that seasonal workers, who only come here to work and then return home when the harvest season is over, are essential to ensuring that we as Coloradans can provide a healthy, safe and abundant food supply for our country.”
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Marsha Looper, R-Calhan, now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
Conservation districts
set noxious weed class
BYERS — A noxious weed workshop runs from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds.
The program includes presentations by Adams County weed specialists and the extension agents. At 10 a.m., the group will travel to sites to view noxious weeds.
The cost $5 per person. The workshop is sponsored by East Adams and Deer Trail conservation districts, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and extension offices in Adams, Arapahoe and Elbert counties.
For more information, call (303)822-5257 ext. 101.
Conservation org sells
more than 26,000 trees
BYERS — East Adams Conservation District’s annual seedling tree sales program concluded successfully April 11 when over 26,000 trees were distributed.
Drip irrigation supplies, fertilizer tablets, and other tree planting needs are also available at the Byers USDA Office throughout the year, Monday through Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The district will begin accepting orders for next year’s effort in November. If interested, call the Byers USDA Office at (303)822-5257, ext. 101, to be added to mailing list for order forms.
Organizers wish to thank everyone who helped make the program a success and the Byers Park & Recreation District for the use of the Quint Valley Fairgrounds.
Grants to market state
ag products available
LAKEWOOD — The Colorado Department of Agriculture is accepting grant applications for its new Ag Products Utilization & Marketing Program.
Funds will assist Colorado companies to research and develop new uses and markets for food and agricultural products grown, raised or processed in Colorado.
“The program is ideal for Colorado’s farmers, ranchers and food processors, providing funds to assist with feasibility studies, market development and promotions,” said Tom Lipetzky, CDA markets division director. “Our goal is to help Colorado’s food and agricultural suppliers position their businesses to take advantage of local, regional, national and international market opportunities.”
Projects eligible for funding include feasibility studies and technical projects such as assessing the potential of establishing an agricultural value-added business project; and marketing and promotional projects such as first-time participation in trade shows, new product launches, and promotions for the development of new sales channels.
Approximately $100,000 is available with the maximum award per project at $20,000. A matching contribution of cash and in-kind resources equal to at least 50 percent of the total project budget is required. Applications can be submitted; no deadline applies.
For more information, call (303)239-4116 or visit www.coloradoagriculture.com.
Breeding cattle import
rules eased by Mexico
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico has resumed imports of breeding cattle from the United States and Canada, bringing back a $125 million industry that stalled because of fears of mad cow disease.
Officials with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association say Mexico, which imports the most U.S. beef, denied access to U.S. breeding cattle in 2003, when the United States announced its first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
Since then, Mexico has only allowed imports of dairy cows under 24 months old.
Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture say the beef market in Mexico is expected to surge in the next decade, with a 91 percent increase in imports in the next 10 years.
Additional U.S. wheat
destined for Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — A senior government official has said Pakistan will import 1.65 million U.S. tons of wheat to ease the country’s flour shortage.
Information Minister Sherry Rehman said the Cabinet decided April 23 to import the wheat and to take steps to expand Pakistan’s electrical capacity.
Rehman did not specify where the wheat will come from. A shortage of flour has hit many parts of Pakistan in recent months and pushed up the price of flat-bread, a staple food. The prices of cooking oil, rice and sugar have also risen.
In addition, electrical shortages have led to power cuts.
Korea accord could be
good for Colo. ranchers
LAKEWOOD — U.S. and Korean officials reached an agreement to expand beef trade, and that could translate into big sales for Colorado’s beef industry.
“Colorado’s farmers and ranchers are pleased that our beef can return to Korean stores and restaurants,” said Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture John R. Stulp. “Since the market closed in 2003, Colorado has lost over $290 million in exports, and we are looking forward to, once again, working with our Korean customers.”
Before the 2003 ban, the U.S. supplied 80 percent of Korea’s imported beef, with Colorado ranking fifth among states. The opening of the market is good for not only Colorado’s beef industry, but also for the Korean consumer. So far this year, the average retail price for beef products in Korea is $10.45 per pound; in the U.S. the price is $3.90 per pound.
“Before the ban, a popular item with the Korean consumer was U.S. bone-in short ribs and, when that market closed, it caused a great deal of market disruption in Colorado’s cattle industry,” said Tom Lipetzky, CDA markets division director.
In 2003, Korea was the third largest buyer of Colorado beef totaling $67 million. The cattle industry remains the largest segment of Colorado’s agricultural industry with more than 2.7 million head of cattle in the state.
In September 2006, Korea agreed to accept U.S. boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age. Beginning in May, Korea will accept boneless and bone-in beef under 30 months of age and agreed to a protocol for accepting all U.S. beef products in the future.