Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

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What's New
Commissioner Blackham and Deputy Commissioner Clarke Join Governor Herbert’s Council to Address State Resource Needs.
Commissioner Blackham applauds Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's plan to care for the nation's wild horses and burros by creating preserves in the Midwest and East. Continue to read letter from Commissioner Blackham and see video of Utah's wild horses.
Japanese beetles in Utah County are nearly gone. UDAF program reduces insect count by 95% for second year in a row. Green waste restrictions in Central Orem are lifted.
Meat the Need announced in Utah The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) has put forward a plan to take extra dairy, pork and poultry supplies off the market, stabilizing prices paid to producers while making more protein-rich foods available to food banks, school lunch programs and other food assistance programs. See a video and read the text of Commissioner Blackham's announcement.
UDAF statement on H1N1 flu and other information.
Utah High School Rodeo leaders honored by UDAF. Under the Norris' leadership Utah high school rodeo teams won seven national titles and recently retired the sport’s traveling trophy.
Africanized honey bee detected in Southern Utah. Learn how to stay safe. UDAF entomologists have discovered 44 African bee colonies since January, 2009. Most of the colonies were located in Washington County. Read more on AHB in Utah. Report a hive to a Utah beekeeper
Pesticide residue in food. Results in the latest FDA report continue to demonstrate that levels of pesticide residues in the U.S. food supply are overwhelmingly in compliance with EPA's permitted pesticide uses and tolerances. Read the FDA's most recent report.

Box Elder County farmer, Arthor Douglas, has been named Executive Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA).

The icon of the West...the wild Mustang…finds helping hands from Utah prison inmates as a partnership of state and federal agencies work to reduce the horse’s impact on the open range. Play video.
Black Grass Bug Banished in Box Elder and Beyond!


Commissioner Blackham becomes a "Food Safety Inspector for a Day" to recognize Employee Appreciation Week. The Commissioner put on his white inspector smock and a hair net to inspect a local COSTCO grocery store. He offers several food safety tips we can use at home. Hand washing is a basic step in preventing the spread of bacteria. Wash for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice).

Information on the 2009 Japanese beetle eradication program in Utah County

Commissioner Blackham's response to a New York Times editorial opinion on agriculture
USDA extends certain CRP program contracts

Take the Great Utah Agriculture Survey Tell us your thoughts about Utah agriculture and see what other people are saying

How to prepare the perfect turkey and make food safety part of the menu.
This Month
The Commissioner's Thanksgiving message. " Thanksgiving is the perfect time to celebrate agriculture’s bounty and to reflect on the many blessings we enjoy each day...." (more)
See three new web tools to help you make healthier food choices. "Know Your Farmer" "MyFoodapedia" "MyPyramid"
Know What to do About the Flu
Safe food handeling tips. See a video on how the pros do it.
Agriculture Secretary VILSACK announces immediate relief for struggling dairy producers

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Meat the Need announced in Utah