UDAF and USDA Begin 2007 Mormon Cricket
Spray Program

Park Valley, Box Elder County - The 2007 Mormon cricket control program is set to begin the week of June 4 - 8, 2007 near the Northwestern Box Elder County community of Park Valley, Utah. Nearly 100,000 acres infested with Mormon crickets are targeted for aerial application of the growth inhibitor, Dimlin. Dimilin is specifically formulated to affect crickets and grasshoppers. The spray program is scheduled to last about one week.

Approximately 50% of the infested acres are on private range and crop land. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are offering to assist landowners by paying 95% of the cost of the application.

Box Elder County is ranked third in the state for total agricultural production in 2005 at $201 million.

It also ranks first and second, respectively, for cattle and sheep production.

“Because of the high percentage of private property infested this year, we feel it necessary to increase our level of support to those farmers and ranchers,” said Commissioner Leonard M. Blackham. “Many ranchers simply could not afford the cost of treating so many acres,” he added.

Traditionally, just 10% of the infested acres in Utah are privately owned. This year that percentage is close to 50%.

Crop dusting-type aircraft will apply the Dimilin, using GPS (global positioning satellite) guidance technology. The onboard system allows the pilots to more accurately fly over the coverage area.

Posted May 29, 2007