Issues In Agriculture John Stulp, Commissioner of Agriculture November, 2010
Colorado Department of Agriculture CDA is charged with: Strengthening and advancing Colorado s agriculture industry; Ensuring a safe, high quality, and sustainable food supply; and Protecting consumers, the environment, and natural resources.
CDA Budget at a Glance Annual budget of ~$38 million. Equivalent of 284 FT staff working in seven function-driven divisions. 13% 10% 77% Cash Funded Federal Grants General Funds
Ag s Impact on Colorado Photo courtesy of Richard Gann
Ag s Impact on the State Economy Crops 28% $1,585,277,000 Livestock & Products 72% $4,061,854,000
Economic Activity Colorado s agriculture and food industry contributes $22 - $25 billion to the state s economy annually $5 - $6 billion in farm inputs $7 billion at first point of sale $10 - $12 billion in added value
Colorado Farm & Ranch Net Income
Jobs Colorado s agriculture & food industry supports more than 108,000 jobs in Colorado 4% of all Colorado jobs 43,000 in production; 13,500 in inputs/suppliers; and 50,400 in processing/marketing Approximately 30,000 are in non-rural Colorado Many of Colorado s counties are Ag-Dependent In more than half of Colorado s counties, 1 in every 10 jobs is tied to the ag and food industry 1 in every 3 jobs is tied to the ag and food industry in 13 of Colorado s 64 counties In Weld County alone agribusiness generates nearly 13,500 jobs
Ag-Dependent Counties
Agri-tourism Economic impact also extends to agri-tourism. Ag Census reported that nearly 700 CO farms offered agri-tourism and recreational services in 2007, generating $33 million in farm income. Wine-based tourism generates an estimated $50 million in economic activity annually.
Colorado s Top Ten Ag Commodities Rank Product(s) 2008 Cash Receipts (Million $) #1 Cattle & calves $3,058 #2 Dairy (milk) $534 #3 Corn for grain $518 #4 Wheat $476 #5 Produce $466 #6 Hay $390 #7 Greenhouse & nursery $277 #8 Poultry & eggs $203 #9 Hogs $176 #10 Sheep & lambs $114 $6,212 - Based on 2008 Cash Receipts for Crops & Livestock -
Division of Animal Industry
Division of Stock Inspection
Conservation Services
Inspection and Consumer Services
Division of Markets To Increase Marketing and Processing Opportunities for Colorado s Agricultural Industry
Division of Plant Industry
Major Ag Issues in Colorado
Agricultures Utilizes 76% of Colorado s Total Landmass Blue Private Red State Dk Green BLM Lt Green USFS White - Other
Agriculture Utilizes 86% of Colorado s Water
Irrigated Agriculture What s it worth and what s at stake? 2,600,000 irrigated acres in Colorado, nearly half in the Platte River Basin Irrigated corn is nearly 5 times more productive than dryland corn
Competition for Ag s Water SWSI predicts fewer irrigated acres due to population growth. Losses by basin: South Platte: 133,000 to 226,000 Rio Grande: 60,000 to 100,000 Arkansas: 23,000 to 72,000 Gunnison: 2,500 to 10,000 Colorado: 8,000 to 16,000
Competition for Ag s Land Population growth along the Front Range claims 90,000 acres per year. Population growth estimates by 2030: South Platte: 65% Arkansas: 55% Colorado: 99% Rio Grande: 35% Gunnison: 82%
Opportunities in Ag
Renewable energy
Ethanol Every gallon of ethanol produced replaces imported fossil fuels New market for corn farmer Enhance market for other grain farmers Byproduct feeds cattle
Ethanol direct help to rural communities Less dependent on foreign oil Rural jobs Share tax base Ag dollars have multiplier effect in community
Biodiesel direct help to agriculture Every gallon biodiesel produced replaces one gallon of fossil fuels Possible alternate crops for farmers Rural Jobs and Tax base
Biodiesel direct help to agriculture Every gallon biodiesel produced replaces one gallon of fossil fuels Possible alternate crops for farmers Rural Jobs and Tax base
Biomass A crop of the future
Wind Energy: direct help to agriculture Profitability Water Shortage Production Costs Climate Change
Land Development leases Tax Base Sharing Community Development Rural Jobs $2000 to $3000 per MW installed Small Wind Community Wind PROFITIBILITY direct income from wind
Genetics Plant Animal Molecular GPS, GIS, IT Infrastructure Water Monitoring Use Technology
Other Emerging Issues Environment Animal Welfare/Care Pharmaceutical Crops Local Foods Organic/Natural GMO s Population Growth Food Policy
Thank You