Utah in "Agricultural Disaster"

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Governor Jon Huntsman is set to declare Utah in a state of agricultural disaster as a result of wildfires, drought, frost and insect infestations. Commissioner Leonard Blackham says the financial impact to Utah's farmers and ranchers is devastating:

"The estimate damage that has occurred in the State of Utah due to drought and fire this year to the ranching and farming community is $141 million," says Blackham.

With a statewide declaration of agricultural disaster, those ranchers and farmers can tap a handful of federal compensation programs, including low-interest loans. The disaster declaration will apply to 25 of 29 counties in the state and will offer some small relief to ranchers faced with acres of charred land and nowhere to graze their cattle.

For Jim Ockey, it's too little too late. He's selling his herd because the Milford Flat fire wiped out his grazing land:

"It's touching emotionally to lose what you've spent your whole lifetime building," said Ockey, as he held back tears. "We'll lose years of quality breeding that we've worked on. And hopefully in the future can get back in."

Ranchers and state officials are also asking the U.S. Farm Service Agency to issue permits for temporary grazing on tens of thousands of acres set aside for watershed conservation. A Farm Service Agency official says the request needs approval from Washington, but could allow ranchers to begin grazing their cattle on some of those areas as early as September.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2009 KCPW