A pesticide workshop was led by Thia Walker with the CSU Extension and held on Thursday. On Saturday, March 19, the Commercial Applicator Category CEC Credits will be held from 10 a.m. to I p.m. in Classroom B.
Claire Volk, of DOW AgroSciences, will speak on the environmental impacts of non-herbicidal weed control. Rangeland Weed Control CEC will be offered.
A second presenter, Dan Bean or Joel Price, of Palisade Insectary, will talk about Biological Pest Control. Ag Weeds CEC will be offered.
When to go: Rep. Don Coram and Sen. Ellen Roberts will be in the Ag Summit Room from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Kids compete at FFA, 4-H, beef show
Teams judge animals that have been entered in the show, which is intended to build responsibility and accountability and experience in presentation and public speaking. Designated times for registration and contest will occur each day, and judging includes novice, intermediate and advanced categories.
The FFA/4-H competition will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Judging begins in the morning, followed by a lunch and an awards show.
When to go: The beef show begins with registration at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, with the show to follow immediately after, ending at 1 p.m.
Brashear focuses on relationship with horse
Horses exude a certain something that equestrian lovers can’t quite put their fingers on. Horse trainer Mike Brashear understands this feeling.
For more than 20 years, Brashear has been focusing on natural methods of training to improve the horse’s actions as well as the relationship between horse and rider. He focuses on that fine line between reward and discipline.
“Sometimes you could be rewarding your horse, even if he’s not doing something right, because you are petting too much,” he said.
Brashear offers help to participants who get an after-the-expo fog, and can’t quite put into practice all the information they retained at the expo. He will offer guidance on how to keep it simple enough to continue training on your own, and techniques to apply what you’ve seen.
In two clinics at the expo, Brashear will offer a session focused on a specific area. The rest of his time will be open to helping horse owners develop skills and answer questions.
When to go: Brashear’s clinics are at 10:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday in the Equestrian Pavilion.
Horse trainer Wood brings ‘The Program’ to expo
Carl Wood, who owns and operates Doubletree Horse Farms in Delta, joins the roster of horse trainers at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.
He offers clinics, trainings and apprenticeship programs all over the world, and will hold clinics in the morning and afternoon.
Wood, a 35-year horse trainer and show horse enthusiast, refers to his method of training as “The Program.” Wood defines his program as a way to help people train their horse so they obtain the knowledge needed to become a better rider. He demonstrates exercises to give you control over every part of your horse, not just for show, but for a better all-around riding experience.
Wood will bring a large crew of volunteers and Quarter horses to help him with his demonstrations. His focus is on versatility, working cattle horses, and trail and ranch reining.
Wood will be teaching ranch trail techniques with obstacles, cattle positioning, riding patterns for showing, boxing in cattle, reining maneuvers, and cutting.
When to go: His clinics are at 10 a.m. Friday in the main arena, 4 p.m. in the Equestrian Pavilion, 9 a.m. in the Main Arena, and 3 p.m. in the Equestrian Pavilion.
Barkemeyer focuses on the working cow horse
Brad Barkemeyer sees the business of horse training as a two-way street: hard work and recreation.
“The horse industry is mainly driven by recreation,” Barkemeyer said. “We may be training and competing at a high level, but we still want to have a good time. There has to be a level of enjoyment.”
Barkemeyer has trained horses for 19 years. In 2010, he started – Barkemeyer Performance Horses in Scottsdale, Ariz.
At the expo, he’ll offer clinics in working cow horse, roping, cutting and reining.
On Thursday and Friday, Barkemeyer will be primarily focused on working cow horse, reining and cutting. Saturday will be dedicated to roping horsemanship.
When to go: His clinics are Friday at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Equestrian Pavilion, and Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Equestrian Pavilion 2:30 p.m. in the Main Arena.
Bull and Heifer Sale is an expo tradition
“The eighth annual All Breeds Bull and Heifer sale is the best little sale around,” said the expo’s executive director, Radiance Beals. “We don’t run hundreds through our sale each year, but we do run quality.”
Ranchers will display their premium stock on Seed Stock Row, where ranchers of the Four Corners area let others know that you don’t have to travel long distances to buy bloodlines that will enhance your herd.
The variety of breeds and animals vary each year, so go early to check them out. Drawings and door prizes will be given away during the sale.
When to go: The sale will be on Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m. in the Livestock Ring.
Ag Summit workshops focus on soil, crops
On Friday, Soil and Crop Management for Sustainable Farming in the Four Corners Region will be offered with presenter Abdel Berrada, with CSU Ag Experiment Station; David Nielsen, with USDA in Akron, Colo.; Kevin Larsen, with CSU; and Johnathan Holman, with KSU Ag Experiment Station.
When to go: This event will be held Friday from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Ag Summit Room.
Cathy Balliu presents her herding dogs
Twenty years ago, Cathy Balliu turned her love for herding dogs into a full-time affair.
Balliu owns 10 acres in Fort Lupton, where she raises sheep, goats and ducks to train herding dogs – a skill that is instinctual among some breeds, but can be learned by any.
She will bring three or four of her Border Collies to the 2016 Four States Agricultural Expo.
“The ultimate test between a handler and their dog is working as a team,” Balliu said. In other words, the handler should expect a little training too.
Balliu will demonstrate herding as well as provide instinct testing to interested parties. The dog must be 9 months or older, and it does not have to be a herding breed. Any dog that shows an interest in the job can perform the task.
Balliu will be looking for any natural abilities the dog may already possess.
When to go: Cathy Balliu presents 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday in the South Arena and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in the South Arena.
Durango Silver Belles return
The Durango Silver Belles Saloon Girls and Wild West Variety Show, which features dancing saloon girls, gunslingers and cowboy storytellers, will perform 12-12:30 p.m. Saturday on the Main Building stage.
Dressed in vibrant, historical saloon-girl attire, the performers will dance and jive to a family-friendly show along with a pianist and an emcee.
The expo also showcases several local musicians.
‰ Mark Baker, a preacher at the Southwest Cowboy Church in Lewis-Arriola, plays selection of Western songs. He just released his first album of Western storytelling titled “Third Generation.”
‰ Donny Johnson, a well-known guitarist who has played at the Sunflower Theatre and Cortez Farmers Market, will perform all weekend as well.
‰ Lynne Belle Lewis, co-owner and operator of Rimrock Outfitters in Mancos, will grace the stage with her renditions of Western classics.
When to go: The Durango Silver Belles Saloon Girls and Wild West Variety Show will perform Saturday from 12 to 12:30 p.m. on the Main Building stage
The Journal
