USDA Update

by Rod Johnson

March 21, 2003

Multi Million Dollar Storm! The rain and snow storm that reach Colorado this week was one of the largest in recorded history. The Front Range and mountains have received heavy snow fall measured in feet rather than inches. As of the time this article is being written on Wednesday morning, Kiowa County has only received rain and light snow that has melted. Approximately 1" of precipitation has fallen in the central part of the county. The average March precipitation at the Eads reporting station is .69 inches. In February, Kiowa County received an average of .70 inches of precipitation when .33 inches is normal. This is a good start to the year but we still need additional precipitation over the coming months to rebuild depleted subsoil moisture.

Owners of land with old crop bases and/or cropping history, have only one week left to request an update of all crop bases and yields based on 1998 to 2001 cropping history. Remember, OWNERS are the individuals that need to sign the base and yield election forms unless the operator has power of attorney.

March 16 through 22 has been designated as Ag Week. This celebrates America's Farmers and Ranchers contributions to this great society. The Colorado Farm Service Agency thanks Colorado Farmers and Ranchers for dedicating their lives to production agriculture. Farming and Ranching are not the easiest jobs in America, but they are vital to our nation's success and security. I had a short visit with Cathy Scherler this week about her and Burl's trip to China. Farmers there are allowed 1 acre of land to call their own and everything else belongs to the government! With drought, low prices and all of the other frustrations that often accompany agriculture, we need to keep the proper perspective of just how fortunate we are to be able to work and enjoy the lifestyle of rural America. Thanks to all of your cooperation, we are about to "survive" this new Farm Bill signup.