LCC Hosting 3rd Annual SCALE in Lamar

Former Colorado Ag Commissioner Don Brown

Several dozen area farmers and ranchers, coupled with about a dozen ag-oriented exhibitors attended the second annual Southeast Crops and Livestock Expo (SCALE) at the Lamar Community College Wellness Center on Friday, February 8th.

Morning Seminar at LCC

The expo featured former Colorado Ag Commissioner, Don Brown, as the main speaker at 12:30 at the Wellness Center. A forum focusing on Agriculture Outlook and Strategy began the day at 8am.  Topics covered included:  Market Outlook, Breakeven Analysis, Using Insurance in your Comprehensive Marketing Plan and Using Futures and Options to Manage Risk.  Brown opened his remarks reminiscing about the friendly relationship his family had with John Stulp’s decades ago in the Yuma area.  Stulp, from Prowers County, was Colorado Ag Commissioner several years ago.  Brown was also the featured speaker at the Prowers Conservation District meeting set for Friday evening at the Lamar Elks Lodge.

Southeast Area Colorado Extension provided information regarding use of pesticides which fulfilled all required credits for Private Applicators and Core Credits for Commercial Applicators. Separate classes were available for sign up for Springfield on February 19th and in Eads Wednesday morning, February 20th. Topics at LCC included Recordkeeping Requirements, Using ATVs for Pesticide Applications, Decontaminating Pesticide Exposed Clothing and Fate of Pesticide Applications.

The expo is a free event co-sponsored by Lamar Community College, KVAY Radio and CSU Extension. A noon luncheon was served by LCC Agriculture and Equine clubs.  Participating vendors included:  Prowers Economic Prosperity, AirMedCare, People’s Credit Union, 4Rivers Equipment, Community Insurance Agency, Legacy Bank, Colorado Plains Irrigation, Wash Spott Car Wash, Van Grow Silage Products, FaithWalk Farms, Colorado Mills, DeKalb and Sure Crop Care Incorporated.

By Russ Baldwin