Elbert County
News
October 18, 2012
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourelbertcountynews.com
Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 117, Issue 38
Dry means high for hay prices
Animal owners face tough choices amid rising costs
By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com
Extreme drought conditions across the state have many Elbert County ranchers scurrying for ways to adequately feed their animals over the long winter months. Unusually dry weather has crippled hay production resulting in a statewide shortage, and rising fuel costs are adding to already historic high prices. According to reports from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, hay prices have more than doubled over the past 24 months. “Two years ago, we were paying about $125 per ton,” said Pat Miller, one of the founding directors of the Ruby Ranch Horse Rescue in Ramah. “For what we bought last week, we paid nearly $350 per ton.” Miller said she had to buy the hay from Wyoming, as local hay is becoming more difficult to find. Ranchers continue to search for alternative feed sources, cheaper hay and other ways to reduce costs. However, according to the CDA, fuel prices are rising and freight costs to ship hay are also predicted to increase. Poor pasture and rangeland conditions have also limited the potential for grazing. So as cold weather approaches, many livestock owners who can’t sustain their animals will be forced to make tough decisions to stretch strained food supplies. “In cases of extreme drought like we have now, some ranchers will cull the herd of weaker animals and others may take them to auction,” said Ben Berlinger, rangeland management specialist with the National Resources Conservation Service in La Junta. “There’s always a top end of the herd,
Barn supervisor Adam Owens stacks bales of hay at the Big R Feed Store in Elizabeth. Drought conditions across the state have contributed to a shortage of hay. Many ranchers are now scrambling to store enough to sustain their animals through spring. Those who can’t face some very tough decisions. Photos by Deborah Grigsby and always a bottom end.” For others, the decision often comes on the heels of other tough decisions. “I’m probably going to lose everything this year,” said Jim, a rancher from Calhan, who asked to be identified by only his first name. “It’s only a matter of time. My wife has medical problems and I’m just at a point where I can’t even afford myself, much less all these animals. There’s just no way I can feed us all over the winter. I’m gonna have to get rid of them.” Miller said she’s extremely familiar with cases like Jim’s. The Ruby Ranch is nonprofit organization that provides shelter, care and rehabilitation for abused, neglected, abandoned and unwanted horses, including those that can no longer be cared for by their owners and those at risk of going to slaughter. Hay continues on Page 6
Bales of hay await ranchers at Big R Feed Store in Elizabeth. Livestock owners are paying high prices for hay because of drought. Ben Berlinger, a rangeland management specialist, says some ranchers will be forced to cull their herds and others may choose to auction animals.
Republican candidates detail their views Rowland, Ross urge transparency as they run for county commissioner By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com A week after Robert Rowland and Larry Ross declined to participate in an open “Meet the Candidates” forum, the two Republican prospects for Elbert County commissioner agreed to meet with Colorado Community Media and discuss some of the pressing issues facing the county this year.
Transparency of local government, a debt-riddled budget and the potential for oil and gas development topped the list for both candidates. Seeking the District 1 seat, Rowland, founder of the Elbert County Tea Party, touts more than 28 years’ experience in several managerial positions at the Rocky Mountain News and Denver Newspaper Agency, including production, transportation and human resources.
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Rowland plans to bring practical “business sense” back to county government. The self-described community activist said the word “transparency” can’t be used enough when it comes to local Rowland politics. “Elbert County has a reputation of having a ‘good ol’ boy’ network with traditional closeddoor meetings, and not respecting sunshine laws, and we’ve butted heads over that several times,” Ross Rowland said. Rowland says he’s already raised the transparency flag more than once, by digging into the county’s business regarding how it secured a 40-year, $7 million loan. “When the county took out that loan,
they did it with what we call a Certificate of Participation” he said. “And while that was done legally, it was nothing more than a loophole to get around TABOR.” Fourth-generation rancher Larry Ross is a Cherry Creek High School graduate and is seeking the District 3 seat. He attended Colorado State University and spent more than 30 years in the real estate and facilities management industry. Also an advocate for transparency, Ross said one of the first things he’ll do as commissioner is to make himself available to the public. “It’s literally taking the door off my office, making my schedule public,” he said. “I’ve made a simple promise that I’ll listen and have regular meetings on Saturdays and I’ll sit down with a notepad and identify priorities and issues the citizens find important.” As for budget issues, Rowland says he will continue his push for better fiscal acCandidates continues on Page 6