The Division of Plant Industry is responsible for ensuring consumers of disease-free and pest-free plants, grains, and seeds, as well as properly labeled agricultural commodities, and the safe application of pesticides and farm chemicals.
Compliance Specialists
Coming soon
Feed Program
Mark Ashcroft, Manager, (435) 755-1578
What We Do
We administer the Utah Commercial Feed Act; which involves inspection, registration, and sampling of commercial feed products.
- Register feed products online and view list of registered feed products
- Registration Form for Commercial Feed Products to be sold in Utah (Annual fee $60 per registered product)
- Registration Form for Custom Formula Animal Feed License (Annual fee $75)
- FAQs about Feed Product Registration
- Animal Feed Resources
Feed and Fertilizer Testing Labs
The Feed Lab tests commercial feed samples for moisture, protein, fat, fiber, minerals, toxins, antibiotics, and vitamins. Seed moisture determinations are also performed for the seed laboratory. The Fertilizer Lab tests solid and liquid fertilizer samples for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements. All feed and fertilizer results are compared to label guarantees to ensure compliance with state labeling laws.
Fees
- Commercial Feed Registration.......$60.00 per product
- Custom Formula License........$75.00
Utah Code and Administrative Rules Relating to Commercial Feed Products
- Utah Commercial Feed Act (Utah Code Annotated: Title 4, Chapter 12)
- Utah Commercial Feed Act Governing Feed (Feed Rule) (R68-2)
- Compliance Procedures (R68-19)
Fertilizer Program
Mark Ashcroft, Program Manager, (435) 755-1578
What We Do
We administer the Utah Fertilizer Act. The program regulates the registration, distribution, sale, use, and storage of fertilizer products. It regulates and licenses fertilizer blenders and monitors the applicators that spray or apply fertilizer and takes samples for analysis.
- Register and look up fertilizer products online
- Fertilizer Tonnage Report
- Fertilizer Product Registration (Annual fee $60 per registered product)
- Fertilizer Blenders License
- FAQs About Fertilizer Product Registration
Feed and Fertilizer Testing Lab
The Feed Lab tests commercial feed samples for moisture, protein, fat, fiber, minerals, toxins, antibiotics, and vitamins. Seed moisture determinations are also performed for the seed laboratory. The Fertilizer Lab tests solid and liquid fertilizer samples for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements. All feed and fertilizer results are compared to label guarantees to ensure compliance with state labeling laws.
Utah Code and Administrative Rules Relating to Commercial Fertilizer
- Utah Fertilizer Act (Utah Code Annotated: Title 4, Chapter 13)
- Utah Fertilizer Act Governing Fertilizers and Soil Amendments (R68-3)
- Compliance Procedures (R68-19)
Fertilizer Fees
- Fertilizer Blenders License $75.00
- Annual Assessment, per ton $0.35
- Minimum Semi-annual Assessment $20.00
- Fertilizer Product Registration $60.00 per product
Related Links
- The Fertilizer Institute
- AAPFCO web site (Association of American Plant Food Control Officials)
Hay Program
Aaron Eagar, Program Manager, (801) 538-7186
Read this document for full instructions on How Do I Certify My Hay as Weed-Free?
There is a growing demand for weed free forage in North America as a preventative program for the spread of noxious weeds. This program has developed a list of standards that should provide land managers assurance that noxious weeds will not be spread through the movement of forage.
What Forages can be Certified?
- Alfalfa hay
- Grass hay
- Alfalfa/grass mix hay
- Forage pellets and/or cubes
- Wheat or other grain hay
- Straw bales
Utah complies with NIASMA standards for weed free forage.
In order to certify your hay as weed free, please contact your local UDAF Compliance Specialists.
Hay and Straw Weed Free Certification Fees
Certificate/Bulk loads of hay up to 10 loads (hourly rates charged for driving time) | $30.00 |
Hourly rate (hourly rates charged for driving time) | $28.00 |
If time involved is 1 hour or less | $28.00 |
Charge for each hay tag | $0.10 |
Citations, maximum per violation | $500.00 |
Emergency service for single component only (per sample) | $42.00 |
Mileage rates will be charged in addition to the rates above.
Insects and Pests Program
Kris Watson, Manager, State Entomologist, (801) 982-2311 (office), (801) 982-2313 (lab), (385) 465-6025 (fax)
Managing insects is essential to the Department's mission to “Promote the healthy growth of Utah agriculture, conserve our natural resources and protect our food supply.”
Although most insects are beneficial, pest infestations can be devastating, and UDAF Plant Industry has been addressing insect issues since pioneer agriculture began here 160 years ago.
Some economic estimates of losses to U.S. food crops due to pests approach 40%. Both newly introduced insects and outbreaks of endemic species can cause sudden losses much like a natural disaster. Trends that contribute to this potential include erratic weather patterns and climate change, intensive monoculture farming methods, and global commerce, which commonly transports materials of risk great distances. The UDAF Plant Industry Insect Program aims to protect Utah agriculture, food, and quality of life from losses due to insects.
State of Utah Insect Quarantines
- European Corn Borer Quarantine
- Gypsy Moth
- Pine Shoot Beetle
- Karnal Bunt
- Japanese Beetle
- Utah Firewood Quarantine
Quarantine Fact Sheets
Problem Pests
- Mosquitoes - West Nile Virus
- Termites - Frequently Asked Questions
- Japanese Beetle - Eradication Efforts
- Grasshopper - Identification and Management
- Ticks - Lyme Disease
- Velvet Longhorn Beetle
Reports
Useful Contacts
- Utah Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey
- Utah Plant Pest Diagnostics Lab
- Utah Integrated Pest Management
- Utah Pests Team Contacts
- County Weed Supervisors
- Mosquito Abatement Districts
- Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
- Western Bark Beetle Research Group
Local Educational Links for Insects
Japanese Beetle Eradication
The Commissioner of Agriculture has declared an Insect Emergency Infestation Area in Salt Lake County.
In 2019 the UDAF Invasive Insect Program detected 36 Japanese beetles in Salt Lake County. The program has not detected this many beetles for more than a decade. To ensure that the Japanese beetle does not become established in the state, UDAF has declared an emergency and has prepared an eradication plan.
Visit our Japanese Beetle Eradication page to learn more.
Noxious Weeds Program
Aaron Eagar, State Noxious Weed Program Manager (801) 602-1961
In administering the Utah Noxious Weed Control Act, the State Weed Specialist coordinates and monitors weed control programs throughout the state.
- FY2022 Invasive Species Mitigation Grant Application
- State of Utah Noxious Weed List
- Additional Noxious Weeds Declared by Utah Counties
- Utah Weed Control Association (UWCA)
- Hay and Straw Weed Phytosanitary Inspection Policy and Procedures
Utah Code and Administrative Rules Relating to Noxious Weeds
- Utah Noxious Weed Act (Utah Code Annotated: Title 4, Chapter 17)
- Utah Noxious Weed Act (R68-9)
- Compliance Procedures (R68-19)
Related Links
- Invasive species information for Utah
- Weed Information at USU Extension
- INVADERS Database System - Exotic plant names and weed distribution records for five Northwestern states
Nursery Program
Kris Watson, Program Manager (801) 982-2311
To apply for a Nursery License:
- Fill out the application
- Determine the license type and amount of money your license will cost
- Return the application via mail or deliver in person at the Utah Dept. Agriculture Main Office (350 N Redwood Rd. SLC UT 84116)
To check your license status:
- Visit the License Look-up page
- Scroll down to find Nursery License, click on the license type button
- Scroll down to find "YOUR NURSERY NAME" and notice the status
NOTE: Organization Provisional Permit no longer available, all entities selling perennial plants must obtain an annual nursery license.
- Lists of Licensed Nursery Agents, Outlets, and Nurserymen
- Nursery License Types
- Nursery License Application
- National Plant Board: US/Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan
UTAH CODE AND ADMINISTRATIVE RULES RELATING TO NURSERIES
- Utah Nursery Act (Utah Code Annotated: Title 4, Chapter 15)
- Agricultural Fair Trade Act (Utah Code Annotated: Title 4, Chapter 8)
- Utah Nursery Rule (R68-6)
- Compliance Procedures (R68-19)
RESOURCES
Utah Nursery and Landscape Association
American Nursery and Landscape Association
USDA Plants Database
National Plant Board
Western Plant Board
Organic Certification Program
Dave Basinger, Program Manager (435) 636-3234
Current Licensee Lists and Fees
What We Do
Organic Production is a system that is managed by both state and federal standards for the response to site specific conditions in the growing or processing of foods, which conditions are managed by integrated cultural, biological and mechanical practices. It is the intent of organically grown or produced products to foster the cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve bio-diversity.
This program is intended to serve producers, processors and consumers of agricultural products. The goal is to manage a process that will maintain the integrity of food products produced without the use of restricted chemical inputs.
Contact
Specific information for the organic food program should be directed to:
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
Organic Food Program Coordinator
Dave Basinger
Carbon County Administrative Bldg
751 E 100 N Ste 1700
Price, UT 84501
dbasinger@utah.gov
Utah certifies to the USDA NOP Standard:
National Organic Program Regulations 7 CFR Part 205
Utah Code and Administrative Rules Relating to Organic Production
- Utah Organic Standards (R68-20)
Related Links
- Organic Farming Compliance Handbook - A Resource Guide for Western Region Agricultural Professionals
- Organic Certification FAQs
- Organic Certification Fee Schedule
- Independent Organic Inspectors Association
- National Organic Program
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
- Organic Materials Review Institute
- Organic Consumers Association
- Organic Trade Association
- Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
- Sustainable Agriculture and Education
- The Soil and Health Library
- Factsheet: Guide for Organic Livestock Producers
- Factsheet: Guide for Organic Crop Producers
- Factsheet: Guide for Organic Processors
- Factsheet: Guide for Organic Certification
Seed Program
Seed Lab Testing, Services, and Regulations
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is responsible for regulating the sale and labeling of agricultural, vegetable, flower, tree and shrub seeds that are sold, offered for sale, or transported within Utah. The program also examines the records of seed companies to ensure compliance with Utah and federal seed laws.
The program additionally provides for sampling and testing of seed sold at the retail level to ensure compliance with Utah's seed law. Tests are conducted to check for proper germination, weed seed content, and other factors important to Utah consumers.