With this year's cricket and grasshopper fight not even over, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) went before the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Subcommittee this week seeking additional funds for next year's fight. An estimated five million acres are expected to be infested in 2003, according to mid-Summer surveys by the UDAF and USDA. This year more than 3.3 million acres are infested with Mormon crickets and grasshoppers in many of the state's 29 counties.

Governor Leavitt added the insect infestation to a statewide disaster declaration dated April 24. Plant Industry Director, Dick Wilson told the committee, "2002 has been a disastrous year for Utah agriculture. Nearly every natural disaster thinkable is assaulting our farmers and ranchers. From drought, to insects, to frost, to high winds, virtually every grower has lost revenue because of the weather or other natural causes this year."

Highlights of Testimony

3.5 million acres currently infested, centered in Beaver, Juab, Millard and Tooele counties.

5 million acres expected to be infested in 2003.

Total UDAF expenses to date for grasshopper/Mormon cricket survey and control are $241,000.

State and private acres treated 26,000.

Total acres treated 98,500.

Drought conditions causing crickets and grasshoppers to migrate to agricultural and populated areas.

Crickets are in adult stage and laying eggs.

As a public safety measure the UDOT applied nearly 10,000 lbs. of bait along the sides of roadways.

Funding for control in 2003 will require an estimated $350,000 to control grasshoppers and crickets on State lands and fund cost share efforts on private lands.