Colorado Producers Cite 30% Production Drop Amid Election Cycle

Rancher Nate Bowers reports that his operation produced approximately 30% of its average output this year due to severe drought conditions. This sharp decline in yield coincides with a period of high input costs, creating financial pressure for producers across the state.

Bowers stated that the combination of dry weather and expensive materials made the current season particularly difficult. He noted that fertilizer and diesel prices reached levels he has rarely encountered in his experience. "Fertilizer and drought together were pretty tough on us," Bowers said.

Willie Altenburg, a rancher with 50 years in agriculture, echoed these concerns regarding operating expenses. At a recent livestock auction, Altenburg recorded a diesel price of $6.59 per gallon. Although cattle prices remain strong, he described the cost of inputs as extremely high for his business.

Altenburg expressed a view that the public often overlooks the role of farmers in feeding the country. "We try to feed the populace, but I think sometimes people forget where their food comes from," he said. He also noted a growing divide between rural and urban communities that affects how the industry is perceived.

Younger farmers are similarly focused on fuel costs and their wider economic impact. Kellen Riedlinger said that rising diesel prices affect more than just agricultural vehicles. "They're affecting you in roundabout ways, raising the price of pretty much every consumable," Riedlinger said. He emphasized that producers across the political spectrum face identical economic challenges.

As voters approach the polls for the midterm elections, producers hope their specific concerns will remain part of the discussion. Bowers said he wants politicians to recognize the value of agriculture in Colorado without turning the industry into a partisan issue. "We just need agriculture to kind of be able to be left alone and not be dragged into politics," he said.

Bowers expressed hope that elected leaders will prioritize keeping the industry viable in the West. "I hope they care about ranchers," he said. "I hope they care about keeping the industry going in the West."