Weld County cattlewoman honored by state organization

« Cattlewoman honored ... Pearl Ann Budin of Weld County was named Cattlewoman of the Year by the Colorado Cattlemen's Association during the association's 56th annual Mid-Winter Conference at the DoubleTree Hotel in Colorado Springs. More than 300 members and guests attended the event to discuss issues pertaining to the cattle industry and honor members.

«Company recognized ... Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., has been named 2006 National Epsilon Sigma Phi "Friend of Extension." Epsilon Sigma Phi, the national organization of Cooperative Extension professionals, presented the award to Pioneer during its national conference in Annapolis, Md. Iowa State University Cooperative Extension members of the Alpha Mu chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi nominated Pioneer for the award. The Johnston, Iowa-based company was recognized for its generosity of time and resources to local 4-H clubs and their communities. The award reflects the history between Pioneer and 4-H, which dates back to the early 1900s when company founder Henry A. Wallace learned about plant breeding from 4-H projects in Keokuk County. Additionally, in 2004, Pioneer matched a gift of $150,000 for Iowa 4-H Foundation's President's Campaign and contributed $100,000 to the construction of ISU Extension's 4-H Youth Building.

«Director named ... Eric Lane has been named director of the Conservation Services Division at the Colorado Department of Agriculture. He has been with CDA since 1996. During his tenure at CDA, Lane, 36, has served as the director of the State Palisade Insectary and as state weed coordinator. As weed coordinator, Lane was instrumental in developing a statewide strategic plan to provide coordination of weed management activities for all public and private landowners with the involvement of federal, state and local governments, public interest groups and industry associations. To implement the strategic plan, Lane led a diverse coalition of stakeholders to revise the Colorado Noxious Weed Act in 2003. The Conservation Services Division administers programs designed to protect Colorado's natural resources and the environment. The division has four programs -- the Agricultural Chemicals and Groundwater Protection Program, the Colorado State Conservation Board that serves the state's 77 local conservation districts, the Noxious Weed Management Program, and the Biological Pest Control Program.

«Horse plate ... The horse contributes $1.6 billion annually to the Colorado economy, keeps 110,000 people employed, is a defining Western icon for the state, and adds immeasurable richness to life in the Rocky Mountain west. Now the Colorado Horse Development Authority believes it's time to give the horse the recognition it deserves, and has launched a petition drive for a special Colorado license plate featuring and honoring the horse. Proceeds from the sale of the plates will benefit the efforts of the Colorado Horse Development Authority in equine-related education and promotion in Colorado. Everyone gains from the creation of these plates -- the horse industry, the proud owners of horses, and the horses themselves. The go forward with the plates, 3,000 signatures are needed. The CHDA Web site offers an easy way to sign. Go to www.chda.org/petition.php and follow the prompts to add your name.

«Meat directory ... The Colorado Department of Agriculture has developed the Colorado Meat Directory to help consumers locate locally produced meats. The publication is now available in print and online. The inaugural edition of the Colorado Meat Directory lists 74 meat producers that direct market their meat. The directory also includes meat-related services such as processors. Listings are grouped by region of the state and describe the type of meat available, how it is packaged and how it can be purchased. Many products can be purchased online and several producers offer natural and organic products. For more information call (303) 239-4115 or visit the directory online at www.coloradoagriculture.com.

«Hoppe honored ... The Colorado Farm Bureau presented its 2006 Service to Agriculture Award -- outside of Farm Bureau, to Rep. Diane Hoppe, R-Sterling. Farm Bureau President Alan Foutz said Hoppe "is an advocate for agriculture in every sense of the word, she has proudly represented rural Colorado for seven years in the Colorado House of Representatives. She made agriculture the first priority on everyone's mind." Hoppe is a native of Sterling where she was born and raised. She served as a long-time aide to U.S. Rep. Hank Brown, R-Colo. and served in the Colorado Legislature for seven years while remaining active in many civic activities as well as with the farm in Sterling. Jimmy Porter of Cortez was presented the 2006 Service to Agriculture Award inside the organization.

«Limousin winner ... Magness Land and Cattle Co. of Platteville brought home a bundle of hardware from the North American International Livestock Exposition Limousin show in Louisville, Ky. The NAILE is one of the breed's four Medal of Excellence Level 1 shows. In the bull show, DHVO Deuce 132R won the grand champion banner. He is owned by Magness Land and Cattle; Lawrence Family Limousin, Anton, Texas; Kervin Cattle Co., Winnfield, La.; and Lance Hall Cattle Co., Sweetwater, Texas. MAGS Rembrandt followed her win in Division 5 by claiming reserve grand champion Limousin female. Magness Land and Cattle and Sugarbush Farms, Allen, Mich., own the cow. Grand champion honors in the Lim-Flex bull show went to MAGS Remote. Bohi Land and Cattle Co., Wellsville, Kan.; Express Ranches, Yukon, Okla.; Magness Land and Cattle; and Sunset Limousin, Estelline, S.D., own him. Magness Land and Cattle was the Premier Exhibitor of the show.

«Export shipments ... Cooperatives Working Together has accepted three export assistance bids for the sale of anhydrous milkfat and cheese. The bids are all from Dairy Farmers of America of Kansas City, Mo. -- one for the export of 1.99 million pounds of milkfat to Mexico, a second for the export of 1.98 million pounds of anhydrous milkfat to Mexico, and a third for the export of 264,000 pounds of Cheddar cheese to Japan.

Submissions for the Ag Notebook should be sent to Bill Jackson, bjackson@greeleytribune.com, (970) 392-4442 or to Sharon Dunn, sdunn@ greeleytribune.com, (970) 392-4439. Deadline is 4 p.m. Wednesdays. Any submission after that time will run the following week.