Convoy of Cattlemen: Colorado Producers Celebrate Ag Through Trail of Trailers Event

How much of an impact does agriculture make in your county?

For Mesa County, Colo., it’s one of the largest economic drivers in the area.

From livestock to field crops to produce, the county’s diverse ag industry is celebrated by producers in a unique convoy of pickups, stock trailers and cattle pots, called the Trail of Trailers.

“It’s really a way to draw attention to agriculture and what it contributes to our community in every way,” Janie VanWinkle, former president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association told a local news source. “There’s a lot of focus on livestock production, but we’re trying to broaden that to make it encompass all of agriculture, from field crops to fruit and vegetables. It’s a visual for the community to see the impact that’s here in Mesa County and western Colorado.”

Starting near Cameo and ending at the Loma Livestock sale barn in Loma, Colo., Mesa County producers drive through a number of towns to help build awareness of the local, thriving industry and bridge the gap between consumers and producers.

“Producers really want our community to know we’re here, we’re alive and well, and we’re working hard to ensure the best quality of safe, affordable and nutritious products, whether it’s beef or lamb or peaches or field crops,” VanWinkle says.

This year’s event, in its second year, had over 35 vehicles of local Mesa County producers participate on July 23.

The event’s purpose is to celebrate local agriculture, and VanWinkle believes it’s also about helping consumers make connections to those in agriculture and ‘humanize’ the person driving the tractor. That person taking up the road and slowing traffic is someone’s mom, dad, grandma or grandpa.

To end the day, producers gather for a community barbeque held at Loma Livestock in fellowship of the county’s ag industry and the value it brings to the area.