The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Animal Health Program is hosting a webinar with updates on New World Screwworm for veterinarians and livestock and pet owners. Please share with relevant producer groups, livestock owners, and veterinarians.

Webinar info:

• New World Screwworm Webinar
• Monday, July 21 · 6:00 – 7:00pm
• Time zone: America/Denver
• Google Meet joining info:
  • Video call link: https://meet.google.com/vyj-qfbb-nih
  • Or dial: ‪(US) +1 567-707-0044‬ PIN: ‪941 037 845‬#
  • More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/vyj-qfbb-nih?pin=8698837717462

Vet Registration Form: https://form.jotform.com/251954054716157

Description:

New World Screwworm, a fly that can have a devastating impact on livestock and pets, is moving northward through Mexico.  UDAF is inviting veterinarians and animal owners to attend a webinar to learn more about this pest, what the US is doing to prevent its reintroduction, and what steps the US will take to eradicate it if it does enter our country. UDAF has applied for one unit of continuing education from the Utah Veterinary Medical Association. Veterinarians wishing to receive a CE unit should register here.

For questions, please contact State Veterinarian, Dr. Amanda Price at [email protected].

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has opened the application period for the first of two independent medical pharmacies, a development stemming from House Bill 54 (HB54) passed during the 2025 legislative session.

This initiative aims to expand access to medical cannabis for qualifying patients in rural and underserved areas of Utah, providing an additional avenue for dispensing medical cannabis products. The independent medical pharmacy will operate under UDAF regulations, ensuring patient safety and product quality.

“This effort represents a significant step forward in ensuring that qualifying patients have more convenient and diverse options for accessing medical cannabis across Utah,” said UDAF Commissioner Kelly Pehrson. “We anticipate a highly competitive application process and look forward to welcoming a new independent medical pharmacy to the state.”

Application Process:

Interested parties are encouraged to review the official application guidelines and requirements. The application period opens on July 1 and will close on July 31, 2025. Applications will undergo several reviews, including the Cannabis Production Establishment and Pharmacy Licensing Advisory Board, which will select the applicant for licensure in October.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of medical cannabis regulations, possess the necessary financial resources, and propose a secure and compliant facility. Specific requirements include:

• Independent:  Shall not own a financial interest in a medical cannabis pharmacy or be owned by an entity that owns a financial interest in a medical cannabis pharmacy.
• Location: Shall be located in an area designated as medically underserved and in a county of the third, fourth, fifth or sixth class.
• Stability: Ability to establish and operate the pharmacy in rural and underserved area for at least 15 years.
• Facility Plan: A detailed layout and security plan for the proposed pharmacy.
• Operational Procedures: Comprehensive standard operating procedures for dispensing, inventory management, and patient consultation.
• Personnel Qualifications: Information on key personnel, including pharmacists and technicians, and their qualifications.

How to Apply:

The application packet can be accessed at https://udafgrants.utah.gov/submit. All submissions must be completed online via the designated portal. For assistance, please contact [email protected].

As Utah’s agricultural lands face increasing development pressure, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is announcing $1 million in funding to permanently protect working farms and ranches through conservation easements under the 2025 LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund.

Administered by UDAF, the LeRay McAllister Fund helps preserve working farms and ranches that are vital to Utah’s economy, food security, and rural heritage. Through strategic partnerships with landowners, land trusts, local governments, and other entities, the fund enables long-term conservation of Utah’s most productive and threatened agricultural lands.

Since 1999, over 68,855 acres of working farmland have been placed into conservation easements with funding from the LeRay McAllister Program to keep this agricultural land in operation forever. In past years, the fund has helped preserve iconic family farms in Cache Valley, ranchlands in Sanpete County, and beyond, protecting both natural resources, local food security, and rural livelihoods.

“Once farmland is developed, it’s gone forever. In a rapidly growing state, protecting agricultural land is critical to ensuring Utah’s future food production, open space, and rural character,” said UDAF Commissioner Kelly Pehrson. “The LeRay McAllister Fund helps us act now to protect agricultural land, keeping longstanding family farms in operation and ensuring land remains available for farmers and ranchers looking to enter into agriculture.”

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with two funding batches per year. Projects will be evaluated based on criteria including agricultural productivity, threat of conversion, water resource protection, and the land’s contribution to local and regional conservation priorities.

Eligible applicants include:

• Nonprofit land trusts
• Local governments
• Other entities qualified to hold conservation easements under Utah Code §57-18

Projects may leverage matching funds through the USDA NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP-ALE) or other complementary programs, such as local open space bond programs, county greenbelt rollback tax funds, and landowner donations.

Interested applicants are encouraged to review the program guidelines and application materials available on the UDAF website at https://ag.utah.gov/leray-mcallister-working-farm-and-ranch-fund and to contact UDAF staff early to discuss project eligibility and timelines.

For more information, please contact: Jeremy Christensen, UDAF Land Conservation Program Manager, at [email protected] or (385) 441-4106.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is announcing the availability of low-interest loans for agricultural producers impacted by drought through the Emergency Disaster Relief Loan (EDRL) program, a subprogram of the Agricultural Resource Development Loan (ARDL) program.

On April 24, 2025, Governor Spencer J. Cox issued a state of emergency due to ongoing drought in the following counties: Beaver, Carbon, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Tooele, Uintah, Washington, and Wayne. The declaration recognizes the significant challenges the drought presents to Utah’s agricultural economy and rural communities. Eligible producers in the 17 affected counties may apply for EDRL loans of up to $100,000 per entity; up to $2 million total is available through the EDRL program. These loans are low-interest, seven year loans with no interest for the first two years, and 2.75% thereafter. Applications will be accepted until October 23, 2025.

“Utah’s agricultural producers are on the front lines of drought impacts, facing difficult decisions as water scarcity threatens crops, livestock, and long-term viability,” said Commissioner Kelly Pehrson. “We recognize the tremendous strain drought places on farm families and rural communities, and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is committed to doing everything we can to help. This loan program is just one of the tools we’re using to support producers through this crisis and keep our agricultural economy strong.”

Applicants should visit https://ag.utah.gov/emergency-disaster-relief-loan-program to review program guidelines and application materials. UDAF encourages all producers to also contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office to explore other federal drought assistance options. More drought resources are available at: https://ag.utah.gov/droughtresources.

Cory Sudweeks operates a diversified farm in Piute Country, managing a mix of crops, pasture and beef cattle. His operation includes 145 head of beef cattle and 145 acres of irrigated land used for growing crops and maintaining pasture. Given the region’s unique environmental challenges, particularly in water management, Cory’s farm is a strong candidate for the Agricultural Voluntary Incentive Program (AgVIP).

“I learned more about soil health and keeping better records, and I’m looking forward to continuing to implement what I’ve learned and to future learning opportunities.”

– Cory Sudweeks, Farmer, AgVIP Recipient

Before joining the AgVIP program, Cory’s operation faced challenges with tail water runoff flowing directly into a nearby river, raising environmental concerns and reducing irrigation efficiency. By implementing a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP provided through AgVIP), he was able to better understand where and how much water and nutrients to apply across his fields. AgVIP funding also helped cover the costs of fertilizer and nutrient applications, making it easier for him to implement the recommended improvements.

The biggest impact Cory has noticed in the day-to-day operations since participating in AgVIP has been the improvement in record-keeping and resource management . By having better documentation of his nutrient applications and water usage, Cory is now able to make more informed decisions, improving the overall efficiency of his operation. The ability to distribute resources more effectively has not only saved time and costs but has also boosted the long-term sustainability of his farm.

Apply and learn more about the AgVIP program at ag.utah.gov/agvip. Applications close May 30, 2025.