May

Still dry up high

5/9/2013

Rain early this week has provided some small hope for ag producers in Montezuma County, but runoff from the high country is not likely to go far toward mitigating the drought, and this year's wildfire danger is almost guaranteed to be severe. Early in 2013, the weather outlook for Southwest Colorado looked promising. Storms swept through Cortez at a steady clip.  Read More

Source: Cortez Journal     By: Luke Groskopf

House supports water for agriculture

5/8/2013

The state House Tuesday passed a bipartisan resolution to protect Colorado’s water supply and recognize the benefits irrigated agriculture provides to Colorado. “We want to make sure we protect water, it’s a precious resource,” said Rep. Lori Saine, R-Dacono. “Water is the lifeblood of our state. I’m glad to see bipartisan support for this resolution.”  Read More

Source: The Pueblo Chieftain     By: Chris Woodka

Corn will not need springtime irrigation

5/8/2013

Corn planting is underway at last. Recent snow storms and the moisture they dropped delayed corn planting this year, but corn growers started planting seed on Friday, said Morgan County Extension Agent Marlin Eisenach. By evening on Tuesday, close to 40 percent of the corn in the county had been planted -- thanks to high-efficiency, contemporary farm machinery, though, he said. That was a big jump from 1 percent that time last week.   Read More

Source: The Fort Morgan Times     By: Dan Barker

Ventura County growers told to use less water

5/7/2013

CAMARILLO, Calif.---Growers in Ventura County are being told to use less water this fall or face shortages. Officials with the United Water Conservation District said at a meeting Monday in Camarillo that groundwater levels are as low as they've been in years.  Read More

Source: Mercury News     By: The Associated Press

In parched parts of Plains, fears of 3rd year of drought: ‘We can’t take much more of this’

5/4/2013

FREDERICK, Okla. — When Kent Walker walked through his dusty fields one morning this spring, the ominous signs were right there at his feet. His wheat crop that should have been thick, dark green and thigh-high was thin, brown and barely covered the top of his shoes. It looked like the start of an ugly rerun.   Read More

Source: Fox News     By: The Associated Press

Chile farmers suffer as water runs short

5/2/2013

SALEM, N.M. (KRQE) - Drought-hammer farmers in some parts of the state say conditions are the worst they've ever seen, and now the fate of this year's chile crop hangs in the balance. In the Hatch Valley--New Mexico's chile belt--the Rio Grande is just a river of sun-scorched dry sand and has been this way for three years.   Read More

Source: KRQE.com     By: Bob Martin

Agriculture at the heart of Fort Collins, but farmers’ future here is uncertain

5/2/2013

Ever since its founding, the heart and soul of Fort Collins has been agriculture. It began in 1872 with the founding of the Agricultural Colony around the site of the Agricultural College of Colorado, which would eventually become Colorado State University. “It has for its location one of the finest agricultural valleys in the territory,” the Denver Times newspaper declared that year.   Read More

Source: The Coloradoan     By: Bobby Magill

Northern Water to re-examine 2013 water quota

5/1/2013

BERTHOUD - Board members of the state's largest water wholesaler will discuss Thursday whether to authorize delivery of an increased share of water to farmers and cities. The Northern Colorado Conservancy District's Board of Directors will meet 9 a.m. at the water wholesaler's Berthoud headquarters to discuss whether to supplement this year's 60 percent quota.   Read More

Source: Northern Colorado Business Report     By: Steve Lynn