A grazing workshop will take place Jan. 12 at the Ute Mountain Farm and Ranch Headquarters in Towaoc from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lunch is included.
The free event is in cooperation Montezuma County CSU Extension, Western SARE, and the Ute Mountain Tribe.
Those interested will learn about drought management from the perspective of the herd, range health and financial decision making.
Speakers will present on maximizing supplementation for nutritional requirements and seasonal variation. There will be a discussion about cattle body conditions scores.
Speakers include Delane Atcitty, director of the Indian Nations Conservation Alliance. He will discuss drought management decision from the herds’ standpoint as well as the financial decisions during drought including feed expenses and culling.
Retta Bruegger, regional specialist in range management for CSU Extension, will speak about drought management decision from the range perspective, including how to plan for drought and understanding how forage quality changes on rangelands.
Hardy Tozer, livestock manager for Ute Mountain Farm and Ranch Enterprise, will highlight how the operation has made decisions on range supplementation based on the local season variation in range quality.
The day will finish with a workshop on body condition scores for cattle.
While looking at cattle the presenters will lead a discussion on how to use body conditions scores for making herd decisions to reach goals.
More information is available by calling 970-565-6412 or 970-564-4170.
In other agriculture and extension news:
On Jan. 19-21 Annie’s Project, a women inspired agriculture workshop, will take place at the Dolores Community Center. Cost is $75.
The training brings women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, leasing, estate planning, marketing and the insurance field. There’s plenty of time for sharing and connecting with presenters and fellow participants. Meals are included,
RSVP at https:AnniesMontezuma.eventbrite.com or contact Emily at the Montezuma County CSU Extension office at 970-564-4170 or at emily.lockard@colostate.edu
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is cautioning horse owners not to feed Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes with the date codes 111222, 111322, 111422, 111522, and 111622.
These are sold in white and tan plastic 50-pound bags with green labeling. The date codes are on the front of the package.
FDA is aware of at least 98 horses in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas who showed neurological symptoms. At least 45 of these horses have died or were euthanized due to declining health. The symptoms reported are consistent with botulism. For further information visit www.fda/animal-veterinary
With even more frigid temperatures on the way, there are countless things to keep in mind to ensure the safety of livestock during severe cold:
- A 20 mph wind is roughly equivalent to a 30° F drop in temperature.
- Access to shelters, sheds or windbreaks are necessary to protect livestock from winter storms.
- Having abundant and accessible feed will help animals maintain body temperature and survive cold temperatures.
- Extremities that become wet or are normally damp are particularly subject to frostbite and freezing during subzero weather.
- If a storm lasts for more than 2 days, emergency feeding methods may be required. Pelleted cake or cake concentrates are examples of emergency feeds.
- Be prepared if cold weather or power outages cause mechanized feeders to become inoperable.
- Animal survival instincts may affect your ability to herd or move livestock during extreme conditions.
The 2023 Colorado Cottage Food Training has released its schedule.
Online courses are offered Jan. 23, May 20, June 1, Aug. 28 and Oct. 6. Cost is $50.
The courses teach safety training for cottage food producers plus business basics. Certificate of training included with passing test score. The training is sponsored by La Plata and Archuleta County CSU Extension offices.
Regisstration is available on Eventbrite, CSU Extension Cottage Foods or www.laplataextension.org.
Questions about the event can be answered by emailing nicole.clark@colostate.edu
