Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

06/26/2026

As Utah enters the height of wildfire season, we all have a role to play in protecting our agricultural communities. Following fire restrictions, practicing wildfire safety, and staying informed can help reduce the risk of more fires.

Wildfires leave a lasting mark on Utah agriculture long after the flames are out. For many livestock producers, recovery means rebuilding fences and water systems, finding replacement feed, restoring grazing lands, and replacing livestock, a process that can take years.

UDAF urges producers affected by the recent wildfires in Iron, Beaver, Piute, and Tooele Counties to seek available recovery assistance.

Please visit ag.utah.gov to learn more about the following resources:
- Grazing Improvement Program Coordinators
- Emergency Disaster Relief Loan
- Animal Emergency Preparedness Tips

06/25/2026

HPAI ALERT:
Dairy HPAI has recently been detected in Box Elder County, prompting mandatory HPAI testing for all dairies in the county. Federal funding is available to cover the cost of this testing, and there will be no additional cost to producers.

In the event of a positive test result, the dairy will be placed under quarantine, and the movement of lactating cattle on or off the facility will be prohibited, except for cows being transported directly to slaughter.

For more information, or to report signs of illness in poultry or dairy cattle, please contact the State Veterinarian’s Office at [email protected].

06/25/2026

Recently, UDAF’s Caroline Scheidell co-presented with Terry Camp of Utah Farm Bureau at the Utah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Preservation Engaged Conference. Their session, “Agritourism and the Utah Heritage Barn Program,” explored how preserving historic farming and ranching infrastructure supports Utah’s agricultural heritage, strengthens rural economies, and contributes to the state’s growing agritourism sector.

They also introduced the Utah Heritage Barn Program, a proposed initiative aimed at recognizing and preserving historic agricultural structures that connect modern communities to Utah’s rich agricultural legacy.

06/23/2026

Pollinators play a vital role in Utah agriculture, helping to support the crops, flowers, and ecosystems that sustain our communities. 🐝🌼

While honey bees often get the spotlight, Utah is home to more than 1,000 species of native bees, along with butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and other important pollinators.

This Pollinator Week, you can help support pollinators by planting native flowers, providing blooms throughout the growing season, reducing pesticide use, and preserving natural habitat whenever possible.

Small actions can make a big difference for the pollinators that help keep Utah growing!

06/18/2026

Congratulations to all our UDAF supervisors who earned the State of Utah Leadership Certification, the official statewide leadership program offered by the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM).

Through a nine-month program focused on five key leadership competencies, participants strengthened their management skills, built stronger teams, and developed the mindset to lead with confidence. This achievement reflects a strong commitment to professional growth and leadership excellence in service to the State of Utah.

UDAF Recipients:
Amber Brown - UDAF Deputy Director
Jim Bowcutt - Director, Conservation Division
Caroline Scheidell - Director, Marketing & Economic Development Division
Travis Waller - Director, Regulatory Services Division

06/18/2026

Utah State Veterinarian Dr. Price invites you to attend the upcoming New World Screwworm (NWS) Webinar on June 25, 2026.

NWS has recently been detected in Texas. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) invites veterinarians and animal owners to attend this webinar to learn about prevention efforts and the potential response if the pest enters Utah.

This webinar has been approved by the Utah Veterinary Medical Association (UVMA) for one continuing education (CE) credit for veterinarians.

Google meet link: https://meet.google.com/zno-ndeu-qdo

06/18/2026

06/17/2026

🚨 RECALL ALERT 🚨

Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula has been voluntarily recalled following reports of three cases of infant botulism in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Federal health officials are continuing to investigate.

UDAF inspectors are conducting recall checks across Utah to ensure the affected product has been removed from store shelves.

If you have this formula:
• Do not feed it to your infant.
• Discard unopened cans.
• Label opened cans “DO NOT USE” and keep them separate from other infant food.

Caregivers should watch for signs of infant botulism and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop.

No other infant formula brands or products are under investigation, and officials do not expect any disruption to the infant formula supply.

For additional information, including refund details and FDA recommendations, visit the FDA and Nara Organics recall notices.

06/17/2026

Healthy soils are the foundation of resilient farms, thriving ecosystems, and long-term productivity. Through AGVIP, producers have the opportunity to implement practices that support soil health while strengthening their operations for the future.

If you've been considering ways to enhance stewardship on your land, now is the time to explore what's possible. Apply for AGVIP by June 22nd and take the next step toward building healthier, more sustainable agricultural landscapes!

06/08/2026

The deadline to apply for Utah’s Agricultural Voluntary Incentive Program (AgVIP) is June 22nd at 5:00 PM MDT.

If you are a Utah farmer or rancher looking to improve soil health or water efficiency, this program offers direct financial incentives to help cover the costs:

- $1,000 sign-on incentive just for completing a conservation plan with a UDAF planner.
- Annual per-acre payments for practices like cover crops, reduced tillage, and adaptive grazing.
- Flat-rate options tailored specifically to maximize payouts for smaller operations under 200 acres.

This program is 100% voluntary. It is entirely incentive-based, meaning there are zero regulatory actions, penalties, or fines if a planned practice doesn’t work out on your land.

Click the link in our bio to apply!