The Routt County Extension Office has put together a show displaying information about agriculture and its importance to the Yampa Valley.

History of Ranching in Routt County

• The first cattle were brought to Routt County in 1871 to utilize summer pastures.
• In 1890's sheep companies began to summer sheep in Routt County.
• Competing for range caused "range wars" between cattlemen, and sheepmen. The first war was in 1899, many others lasted until 1920.

 History of Farming in Routt County

• Hay production was the first farming in Routt County. It was essential to feed livestock that were wintered here
• Grain farming first began in the 1880's (Wheat, Oats, Barley)
• The Routt County Strawberry Company was formed in 1910 in Strawberry Park
• Potatoes were first grown for production in 1911 near Oak Creek
• Head lettuce was cultivated in the Yampa-Toponas area starting in the early 1920's

 Present Routt County: By the Numbers

• 1,511,750 acres
• 494 Ranches - 520,618 acres owned by ranchers; 102,315 acres in cropland
• Cash Receipts: $22,858,000; Livestock Receipts: $19, 340,000; Crop Receipts: $ 3,510,000

The Animal Industry created $19,348,000 Gross Livestock Sales for 2002, Routt County's Animal Industry consists of:

• Cattle
• Sheep
• Horses
• Llama
• Yak
• Elk
• Bison

Routt County’s Cattle Industry

2002 - Beef is Colorado's #1 Animal Industry

Total Cattle: 25,000 head
-Ranked 25

Cows: 13,000 head
-Ranked 261997 AG. CENSUS

Routt County’s Sheep Industry

1997 AG. CENSUS
Sheep and Lamb: 9,932 head
-Rank 11th

Routt County’s Horse Industry

Horse Numbers
2,292 horses

Uses:
-Work
-Pleasure

Other Animal Agriculture

Elk 350-500 head of domestic elk
Meat Industry and Velvet Industry

Bison 100 head
Meat, and specialty market

Llama and Alpaca 250 head
Pleasure and packing

Swine 250 head
Brought in and fed out during summer for consumption

Routt County's Plant Industry

• Hay
• Safflower
• Logging

Cereal Grains:

• Wheat
• Barley

Hay Production

In 2001:

• 48,500 acres of grass and alfalfa hay
• 68,100 tons produced
• Ranked 3rd in grass hay production

Cereal Grains

Wheat

• 7,200 acres harvested
• 760,000 Bu. harvested
• Ranked 25

Barley

• 1000 acres harvested
• 25,000 Bu. harvested
• Ranked 12

Safflower
Crop planted near Hayden

• Used as bird seed, can also be used as oil crop.

 Did you know??

• Only 1.4% of the population produces the food we eat.
• Annually, Colorado losses 140,000 acres per year to growth!
• Ranchers and farmers receive the same prices today that their parents did. However, costs for fuel, equipment, labor and supplies has increased!
• The average age for a Routt County Rancher is 53!