Colorado State University Extension Dolores County

06/08/2026

Market Report 6/8/2026
Sources: Midland Bean, High Country Elevators, and USDA/CO Dept of Ag.
Winter Wheat Spring Wheat Beans
Per Cwt....................9.00..........................10.00.....................28.00......
Hay (Conventional)
Alfalfa...Alfalfa...Grass...Grass-Fair...Orchard Grass...
Compressed Bales...Small Square Bundled...Compressed Bales...Medium Square 3x3...Small Square Bundled
QTY...N/A...N/A...N/A...125...N/A
Price Range...14.00...17.00...14.00...100.00...17.00
WtdAvg....N/A...N/A...N/A...100.00...N/A...
Freight/Use...F.O.B. Retail...F.O.B. Retail...F.O.B. Retail...F.O.B. Stables...F.O.B. Retail
Description...Covered (all)
Crop Age...Old Crop (all)
Compared to last report: Trade activity Light. Demand Good to Very Good on both old crop and new crop hay. 3x3's of old crop alfalfa horse
hay sold $5.00 to $10.00 per bale higher this period. First cutting of alfalfa hay is underway as we wrap up haylage harvest of wheat, triticale,
and rye. New crop prices are firm due to current drought conditions. Irrigation water allocation reductions across the state are driving new
crop prices higher and increasing prevent plant acres. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor's High Plains Summary for June 2, 2026, stormy
weather brought soaking rains across much of the High Plains, with the highest coverage and accumulations over Kansas and Nebraska. While
beneficial, this precipitation competed during the week with much above-normal temperatures, which maintained high evapotranspirative
demands. Accordingly, areas that missed out on significant rainfall, including portions of the Dakotas and far northern Nebraska, experienced
some degradation, while reductions were noted across much of Kansas and eastern Nebraska. Further west, beneficial precipitation brought
some relief to portions of the Colorado Plains and a few spots in Wyoming, while drier conditions resulted in deterioration in southwestern
Colorado. For Drought Classifications, 35.95% of the state falls in Extreme-Exceptional drought (D3-D4) categories, and 64.05% of the state
falls into the Abnormally Dry-Severe Drought (D0-D2) categories. The next available report will be Thursday, June 18, 2026.

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05/26/2026

Market Report 5/26/2026
Sources: Midland Bean, High Country Elevators, and USDA/CO Dept of Ag.
Winter Wheat Spring Wheat Beans
Per Cwt....................10.00..........................11.00.....................28.00......
Hay (Conventional)
Alfalfa...Alfalfa...Alfalfa/Grass Mix...Grass...Grass...Grass...Mixed Grass-Good...Timothy Grass
Compressed Bales...Medium Square3x3...Medium Square3x3...Compressed Bales...Large Square 3x4...Medium Square3x3...Medium Square3x3...Small Square Bundled
QTY...N/A...N/A...N/A...N/A...N/A...N/A...54...N/A...
Price Range...13.25...140.00...140.00...13.25...195.00...145.00...200.00...14.50
WtdAvg....N/A...N/A...N/A...N/A...N/A...N/A...200.00...N/A...
Freight/Use...F.O.B. Retail...F.O.B. Retail...F.O.B. Retail...F.O.B. Retail...F.O.B. Retail...F.O.B. Retail...F.O.B. Stables...F.O.B. Retail
Description...Covered (all)
Crop Age...Old Crop (all)
Compared to last report: Trade activity Very Light. Demand Good to Very Good on both old crop and new crop hay. According to the U.S.
Drought Monitor's High Plains Summary for May 19, 2026,temperatures were above normal across much of the region this week, with
average readings ranging from the low 40s along the Canadian border and in the mountains to the mid-70s across southern Kansas. Highly
anomalous early-season warmth gripped the southern half of the region. The core of this heat anomaly was centered over Kansas and
Colorado, where weekly temperatures soared 6°F to 12°F above historical averages, with localized spots in southern Kansas peaking more
than 12°F above normal. This unseasonable warmth extended moderately northward into Nebraska, yielding departures of 3°F to 6°F above
average. Large portions of Wyoming, Colorado, and western parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas, reported weekly
totals below 0.50 inches, with extensive areas receiving less than 0.10 inches. This lack of moisture resulted in departures of 0.5 to 1.5 inches
below average, causing conditions to deteriorate. Extreme (D3) drought expanded in southwestern Kansas and southern Colorado. Severe
(D2) in parts of Colorado and northeast Wyoming, while moderate (D1) drought expanded in parts of South Dakota. Heavy rainfall also
brought improvements to severe (D2) to exceptional (D4) drought in northern Colorado and a reduction of exceptional (D4) drought in
southern Wyoming this week. For Drought Classifications, 42.91% of the state falls in Extreme-Exceptional drought (D3-D4) categories, and
57.09% of the state falls into the Abnormally Dry-Severe Drought (D0-D2) categories. The next available report will be Thursday, June 4, 2026.

05/13/2026

VSV Case Confirmed in Colorado Equine
As of Monday, May11, the Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office has confirmed a detection of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in a horse in Montezuma County, with two additional horses showing clinical signs State Veterinarian’s Office in Colorado.
This viral disease primarily affects horses and cattle, and occasionally swine, sheep, goats, llamas, and alpacas. The disease can be transmitted by insects such as black flies, sand flies, and biting midges or through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated objects. The incubation period ranges from 2-8 days. Clinical signs include blister-like sores on the mouths and feet of infected animals and appear similar to foot and mouth disease. Often excessive salivation is the first sign of disease, along with a reluctance to eat or drink. Lameness and weight loss may follow. There are no USDA-approved vaccines for VSV.

What should livestock owners do?
Equine and livestock owners should monitor their animals for blisters and report any suspected cases to their veterinarian, who will then coordinate with the State Veterinarian’s Office in Colorado for testing and follow-up.

Tips for livestock owners
Strict fly control is an important factor to inhibit the transmission of the disease.
Avoid transferring feeding equipment, cleaning tools or health care equipment from other herds.
When moving livestock interstate, Colorado veterinarians and livestock owners should contact the Animal Health Officials in the destination state to ensure all import requirements are met.
Colorado fairs, livestock exhibitions, and rodeos may institute new entry requirements based on the extent and severity of the current VS outbreak. Certificates of veterinary inspection (CVIs or health certificates) issued within 2-5 days prior to an event can be beneficial in reducing risks.

See these Guidelines for Fairs, Shows, Exhibitions for more information

For specific recommendations or if you have concerns about your livestock contact your local veterinarian.

https://ag.colorado.gov/animal-health/reportable-diseases/vesicular-stomatitis-virus-vsv

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/vesicular-stomatitis

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14-MqLOofkfJpT9YLz2zUg52uB0BE9n_JUPlwRYhFM-I/edit?tab=t.0 =h.3euyo4etpl9b

Vesicular Stomatitis Guidelines for Shows and Fairs The Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office recommends that livestock event organizers consider extra precautionary measures to minimize the risk of transmission of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). The following strategies may be implemented: Entr....

04/23/2026

Precipitation Monitoring and Record Keeping For Farmers and Ranchers
Where: SW CO Research Center 16898 Rd. Z, Yellow Jacket, CO
When: Friday, May 8, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Gain skills for collecting reliable rain, snow and hail information at your individual location. Learn how to use information for insurance and FSA programs.
Noah Newman, Colorado Climate Center
• How to collect and record precipitation information for your individual location
• Learn how to participate in the Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS)
Emily Lockard and Gus Westerman, CSU Extension
• Hands on gauge demo
Kacey Reidel, FSA
• How to use information for FSA programs
Enjoy coffee and snacks while you learn!
Discounted precipitation gauges available for $20 at the training, cash or check please

04/14/2026

This is a long post but may be worth a read if you have perennial landscape plants, alfalfa, winter wheat, or trees. Typically, we are concerned about losing a fruit crop or setting back the first cutting of alfalfa. This year it could mean losing the tree or alfalfa stand itself.
The weather forecast for Friday night and Saturday morning is currently showing a low of 21 degrees Fahrenheit for Dove Creek. These temperatures are not out of the norm for this time of year, but what is out of the norm were the warm temperatures experienced through the month of March and early April.
This can be shown by looking at Growing Degree Days (GDD) that we have accumulated since the beginning of March. GDD show the accumulated time temperatures have been adequate for plant growth and development. According to the Dove Creek CoAgMET Weather station (temp thresholds set to a base of 50 degrees/max 85 degrees), the historic average of Growing Degree Day Accumulation for April 14th is 221.2 GDD. This year we are currently at 347.9 GDD. This explains why our fruit trees are blooming and other perennial plants have broken dormancy.
At these growth stages many of these plants have lost winter hardiness and are at significant danger to cold temperatures. We all understand that these temperatures will most certainly have large impacts to blooming fruit crops. The difference this year is that our trees (All trees out of dormancy) have lost winter hardiness and are at risk of damage or mortality. This goes for any tender perennial plant that has broken dormancy. For small trees and flower gardens, plants should be covered with frost cloth, sheets, or whatever may be available. This is not possible for everything but should be strongly considered.
Crops are also at significant risk from this event. Alfalfa crops in the area have begun actively growing. After breaking dormancy alfalfa can be injured at temperatures lower than 24 degrees Fahrenheit. Many of our alfalfa crops are also to the point where these low temperatures could potentially damage the crowns of plants causing plant mortality. It will be recommended to sample alfalfa crowns next week to determine the extent of damage or crop mortality.
Winter Wheat can also be at significant risk of injury. Some of the local winter wheat crops have begun the “jointing” stage or Feekes Stage 6. This is a critical period where the plant’s growing point moves above the soil and is susceptible to damage at temperatures below 24 degrees Fahrenheit. Wheat in the “boot” stage or Feekes Stage 10 is susceptible to damage at temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
The main factor that may help in this situation is topsoil moisture. Moist soils are more insulated to temperature changes than dry soils. The hope is we go into Wednesday and Thursday with moist soil and get enough sun to warm the soil which can provide protection from crop damage or mortality.

04/13/2026

HELP WANTED
The Dolores County Extension Office and Dolores County W**d Program will be accepting applications for 2 part-time summer help from May-mid August.
To be considered, a current application must be filled out, and applicants must be at least 16 with 18 and older given preferences. Also required are a current driver’s license and computer knowledge.
Specific duties and the rate of pay will be minimum wage.
Applications are available at the Dolores County Extension Office/Dove Creek Mandatory W**d Control District Office in the Courthouse at 409 N Main Street, or can be downloaded from the county website: https://dolocnty.colorado.gov/bids-and-jobs
Applications must be returned to the office by April 23, 2026, by 4:00 p.m.
Dolores County is an equal opportunity employer.
Duties include:
Mowing, W**d Eating, raking and other landscaping maintenance for the Extension Orchard at the Yellow Jacket Research Station and Fairgrounds.
W**d District will not be handling chemicals.
Office work including helping with miscellaneous bills, copies, and mail-outs. As well as updating informative bulletins and misc. cleaning around the office.
Work at fairgrounds includes preparation for rentals such as janitorial maintenance and set-up/tear down for fair, junior rodeo, and award nights.
Other misc. duties may include assisting with 4-H events or any other need.
Can email [email protected] or call 970-677-2283 and ask for Gus or Oma.

04/08/2026

This weekend!
Save the date for the annual Dolores County 4-H Dog and Cat Vaccine Clinic, April 11th, 9:00am- 12:00pm. Located at the Dolores County Public Service Center (8477 Rd 7.7). All proceeds go to the Dolores County 4-H Club.
A monumental thank you to the Montezuma Veterinary Clinic for making this event possible!
Prices:
Cats - Rabies Vaccine 1yr - $21.00
FVCRP+Leukemia Vaccine - $35.00
Combination (Rabies+FVCRP) - $48.00
Dogs - Rabies Vaccine 1yr - $21.00
Distemper, Parvo, Lepto Vaccine - $24.00
Combination (Rabies+Distemper, Parvo, Lepto) - $40.00
Puppies and kittens must be at least 6 weeks old to vaccinate. If pregnant, dogs and cats can only be vaccinated for rabies.
All dogs must be on a leash and stay in the vehicle, and cats must be in a carrier!
Checks must be made payable to "Michelle Schmidt, DVM."
Clinic will be a drive through around the county w**d shop, and through the Public Service Center Parking lot, see map.
Please call 970-677-2283 for any inquiries!

04/02/2026

04/01/2026

Come to the Four Corners Region Grape Symposium!
The Four Corners Vine & Wine Symposium is a two-day educational event designed for grape growers, winemakers, and aspiring vineyard owners/managers across the Four Corners region.
April 9th and 10th, Learn about viticulture fundamentals, vineyard nutrition management, integrated pest management, irrigation management, weather data for vineyard decision-making, and basic winemaking and winery laboratory practices. The program combines lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and interactive discussions, along with a guided tasting and vineyard field activities.
Register at: https://grapesymposium.ezregister.com/
$5.00 registration fee + $1.00 processing fee.

04/01/2026

Join us April 27th from 8:15am - 1:30pm for our annual Dolores County Private Applicator Workshop.
Located at the Dolores County Public Service Center (8477 Rd 7.7), this workshop will offer all 7 core credits needed to renew a Colorado Private Applicator License, PLUS the 309B - Non-soil Fumigation Pest Control continuing education credit.
To receive continuing education credits, an active Colorado Applicator License must be held.
Please RSVP by calling 970-677-2283 or email [email protected] by April 22nd.
An equal access and equal opportunity University. https://col.st/ll0t3