Springfield Colorado Wheat

Baca County Farming

Two Buttes, Springfield Colorado

Colorado's Baca County Open for Business
Baca County is located in the southeast corner of Colorado

Look us over, don't overlook us.

Painting by Gloria Jean

Contact Information:
Baca County Economic Development:
Verlin Hopkins, Executive Director: 719-523-4751
Baca County Commissioners: 719-523-6532
Springfield Chamber of Commerce: 719-523-4061

Ranking high for your Business

  • Community Acceptance
  • Feed Quality & Cost
  • Land Availabillity & Cost
  • Labor Availabililty & Cost
  • Water Availability & Cost
  • Permits & Regulations
  • Quality of Life
  • Major Highway Access
  • Railroad
  • Utility Cost
  • Climate
  • Soils
  • Taxes
  • State Incentives

    • Baca County Banking

    First National Bank: 719-523-4541
    Colorado State Bank: 719-324-5206
    Colorado East Bank: 719-523-6900
    People's Credit Union: 719-523-6250

    Schools

    Baca County has 5 public schools k-12, with College Classes offered.

    Acreages of the Main Crops
    Source: Baca County Farm Services Agency

    % 2000 2001 2002 AVG
    Irrigated Wheat 15 26,793 26596 26125 26504
    Non-irrigated Wheat 85 155,154 150,713 143,302 149,723
    Irrigated Corn 92 38,936 34,004 30,530 34,490
    Non-irrigated corn 8 4,442 2,956 1,767 3,055
    Irrigated Sorghum 7 5,994 9,453 11,587 9,010
    Non-irrigated Sorghum 93 87,118 125,590 150,907 121,205
    Irrigated Sunflowers 38 1,667 3,845 2,586 2,700
    Non-irrigated Sunflowers 62 2,765 6,274 4,043 4,361

    In 2003 several produce companies contracted irrigated acreage with local farmers for the production of onions, cucumbers, and melons. These contracts were made because Baca County soils, water and climate allow for many varied agricultural opportunities.

    Note: Currently 262,098 acres are enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). When the CRP program expires, it is anticipated most of the acreage will go back into production and woujld significantly increas all crop production in Baca County.



    Baca County Statistics

    2002 Assessed Valuation of Baca County $59,192,850

    2002County Mill Levy 20.155 School & Special Districts vary from 40.088 to .192 mils

    Irrigated Farmland 88,428 Acres
    Dry Farmland 715,963
    Grassland & Others 578,226
    Work Force 2,300
    Average Annual Wage $16,833
    Average Moisture 15.73 inches
    Average Annual Temperature 55.4 Degrees
    168 Average Frost Free Days
    Humity Low
    Soils - Deep clay & Sandy Loam
    Average Soil ph 7.5
    Elevation 3,800 ft. to 5,700 ft.
    Highways-
    North/South- US 287 (Ports to Plains Corridor)
    East/West - US 160
    Two Railroads

    Baca County Production
    From: Colorado Agricultural Statistics


    Crop Year Production Average
    Grain Sorghum 1996 5,294,000  
      1998 5,090,000  
      2001 4,042,000 4,808,6666 Bushels
     
    Crop Year Production Average
    Corn for Grain 1996 3,150,000  
      1998 5,810,000  
      2001 4,828,000 4,663,000 Bushels
     
    Crop Year Production Average
    Corn for Silage 1996 27,00  
      1999 9,000  
      2001 61,000 32,333 Tons
     
    Crop Year Production Average
    Wheat 1997 4,6000,000  
      1999 8,780,000  
      2001 4,820,000 6,066,666 Bushels
     
    Crop Year Production Average
    Sunflowers   5,000,000  
        5,000,000  
      2001 16,900,000 8,9666,666 pounds
     
    Crop Year Production Average
    Alfalfa Hay 1995 11,500  
      1998 25,300  
      2001 58,600 39,950 Tons
     
    Crop Year Production Average
    Other Hay 1995 42,400  
      1998 42,400  
      2001 82,600 56,133 Tons

    Baca County Commercial Grain Handling & Storage

    Town Count Bushels
    Campo 1 596,000
    East of Walsh 1 1,088,000
    Pritchett 2 824,000
    Springfield 2 723,000
    Two Buttes 1 1,265,000
    Vilas 2 1,012,000
    Walsh 2 1,593,000
    Total   6,101,000
    Bushels are not carried as the licensed amount due to the flat storage, adjustments have been made.