agriculture

Drought conditions are forcing Montezuma County growers, livestock producers and gardeners to make hard decisions about water use, crops and conservation.

After a record warm and dry winter, ranchers and farmers brace for a challenging summer.

This week’s Farm News and Views examines worsening drought across western rangelands, rising diesel prices, beef import concerns, and new satellite-based virtual fencing technology for ranchers.

The House has advanced the Farm Bill further than any effort since 2018, but Senate disputes, rising costs, trade concerns, and broader economic warning signs continue to weigh on farmers and ranchers.

Severe drought across the Four Corners is raising irrigation concerns for farmers, while high fertilizer prices and dry wheat fields add pressure nationwide.

Invasive species are on the march in the Colorado River, threatening everything from endangered native fish in Arizona to Colorado's juicy Palisade peaches.

The Bureau of Reclamation announced plans to release water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and to reduce flows out of Glen Canyon Dam on Lake Powell in an attempt to prop up the Colorado River Basin's infrastructure.

Proposed federal budget cuts and tariffs could impact farmers, rural services, and agricultural research, while concerns grow over threats to bald eagle populations.

This week’s Water Wednesday reports low river flows and one of the worst snowpack years on record, with the Dolores River projected at just 35% of average inflow.

Rising input costs and federal aid packages are shaping farm income in 2026, as women take on larger roles in agriculture nationwide.