Author: Rachel Gabel

Rachel Gabel Those without a crystal ball to see the future Colorado’s grocery consumers are facing need look no further than California. The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a report last week compiled by the economists with the USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) that reflects a 20% hike in pork prices in California.…

Rachel Gabel There is no more frightening individual – not one with a gun nor an agenda – than a voter informed by marketing campaigns. There have been two anthropomorphic pitches tossed to voters recently and it’s an insult to people who think and reason. Julie Marshall, a national communications coordinator for Animal Wellness Action and Center…

Rachel Gabel The Polis administration was saved from embarrassment by members of the Senate who refused to heed the recommendation of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee regarding the confirmation of Jessica Beaulieu to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. This came to fruition after extensive lobbying at the Capitol for Beaulieu’s Senate confirmation.…

Rachel Gabel Spark and wind carouse around like the town drunks, a green Mickey’s wide-mouth within reach. Spark, undoubtedly, has a burning cigarette in his yellowed, stubby hand. Wind, though, is always present around town but he’s unpredictable. When he’s at his worst, he is abusive. When the two get liquored up, especially in dry…

Rachel Gabel Throngs of visitors to the Mile High City make their way to the National Western Stock Show in Denver each January. For many, it’s a tradition to take in a rodeo or a draft horse pull, wander through booths with a red beer in hand to browse Western goods, find a new felt…

Rachel Gabel Cory Gaines is a member of the Northeastern Junior College faculty and makes his home in rural Colorado. He’s not from agriculture, but he has an interest in it and his efforts to learn more are laudable. It’s not an easy task in a state where the ag industry is as diverse as…

Rachel Gabel The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed rule allowing for natural asset companies (NACs) to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange is reckless and politically motivated, exactly the opposite of the purpose of the SEC. The management of public lands ought not be for sale. The SEC – despite their…

Rachel Gabel California’s Proposition 12 is fully enacted, requiring all pork sold in the state come from sows housed according to the standards set forth by the proposition. This has forced the entire pork industry to pivot, investing millions of dollars to meet the space requirements. When hogs leave the farm and enter the food…

Rachel Gabel The email came swooshing into Don Gittleson’s inbox shortly after he finished feeding cows. He came to the house to check the laptop. The poor cell service in the hard country where Gittleson Angus is located near Walden didn’t allow reception. He wasn’t particularly surprised to see the email, signed by Colorado Parks…