Utah farmers and ranchers are encouraged to dispose their unused or outdated pesticide during a free program that is offered April 11, 2006. The popular program has collected more than 70 tons of unused pesticide from dozens of farmers throughout the state. In order for the UDAF to better coordinate the pickup of the pesticide, farmers and ranchers must identify how much and what kind of material the have.

The collection point for this year will be at the Box Elder County Road Shed/Weed Department, located at 5730 W 8800 N, in Elwood, Utah.

"This is a totally anonymous program," said Robert Hougaard, program manager. "No record of your name is kept after the program, and you are free from any risk of cost or penalty." He added.

Citizens are requested to bring the unwanted pesticide to a central location in their region, as soon as that location is identified. Licensed hazardous waste disposal companies, under contract with the state, will pick up the product and destroy them. Contact Robert Hougard for sign up: (801) 538-7187.

The program began in 1993 by collecting about 11,500 pounds of product at a cost of about $51,000. Eight years later, with the help of experience and state contracted vendors, the Division collected 27,700 pounds of material at a cost of $40,463. The cost per pound dropped by nearly 60 percent.

One reason for its popularity is that it saves farmers and ranchers hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in disposal fees as well as considerable paperwork.

Pre-registration forms available from UDAF agricultural compliance specialists in:

Beaver, Iron, Kane & Washington Counties (435) 634-5708

Box Elder County (435) 734-3328

Cache & Rich Counties (435) 752-6263

Carbon, Emery, Grand & San Juan Counties (435) 636-3234

Daggett, Duchesne, Uintah & Southern Wasatch Counties (435) 725-0202

Davis & Morgan Counties (801) 451-3406

Garfield, Millard, Piute, Sevier, Sanpete & Wayne Counties (435) 893-0476

Juab & Southern Utah Counties (801) 851-7794

Tooele, Northern Utah & Southern Salt Lake Counties (801) 851-7793

Northern Salt Lake & Western Summit Counties (801) 538-7186

Weber County (801) 399-8380

Posted December 19, 2005