Ag Talk with UDAF

Latest Episodes:

2024 Utah Legislature Session Preview Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

The Utah Legislative session is here! As one of the busiest times of the year for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food starts, this legislative preview episode gives listeners an inside look of the department's role during the legislative session, what bills the department is watching, and how the legislative process works.

Guests on this episode are Commissioner Craig Buttars, Deputy Commissioner Kelly Pehrson, and Director of Legislative and Government Affairs, Amber Brown.

Utah Legislature Website

Preserving Agriculture Land: The LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

For years, Utah's prime agricultural lands have been disapearing. This is detramental not only to our local food security and agricultural industry, but also disheartening to those who have farmed and cared for those lands for many generations.

The LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund was created to help preserve agriculture land in Utah by creating conservation easements that allow farming families to keep in business, while preserving the beautiful open space that so many love and enjoy in Utah.

Join Jim Bowcutt and Jeremy Christensen in this episode to learn more about the LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch fund, how it is helping Utah, and how you can be involved.

Learn more at ag.utah.gov/leray-mcallister-working-farm-and-ranch-fund/

Utah's Predator Control Program Dec 26, 2023

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The predator control program at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food works to prevent livestock depredation by providing mitigation and population control of Utah's predators. In this episode, hear from UDAF's Animal Industry Director, Leann Hunting, and the Predator Control program manager, Cole Selman, on how they help Utah's agriculture community by managing the population of coyotes, mountain lions and more.

More Information

Understanding Utah's Medical Cannabis Program Dec 11, 2023

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What do you know about Utah's Medical Cannabis program? Being one of Utah's newer programs, there is a lot that my be unknown. On this episode, we will be joined by UDAF's director of medical cannabis, Dr. Brandon Forsyth and the medical cannabis program manager, Cody James to help us better understand the purpose of the program and the role that the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food plays in the regulation of cultivators and distributors.

Importation of Christmas Trees and Firewood Nov 27, 2023

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With the holiday season quickly approaching, it is important for Utah's citizens to understand the regulations around Christmas Tree and firewood importation.

In the short and sweet episode, we will learn from UDAF Plant Industry Division Director, Rob Hougaard and State Entomologist, Kris Watson to discuss why there are regulation on the importation of firewood and Christmas trees and what consumers should be aware of.

Episode Resources:

Don't Move Firewood

Utah Insect and Pest Program

Utah Nursery Program

The Agriculture Stress Assistance Program Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

Nation-wide, farmers and ranchers are two times more likely to die by suicide than other demographic. This can be brought on by day to day stresses of farming and ranching, dealing with an unpridictable mother nature, crop or animal loss, strenuous work schedules, financial stresses, and the preasure of keeping multi-generational farms in operation for future generations.

For this reason, Utah State University Extension along with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food have partnered to bring Utah's agricultural and rural communities the Agriculture Stress Assistance Program. Tune into this episode to learn more about the program and how it is helping Utahn's or how it could help you and your family.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and are in need of assistance, please utilize the resources linked below to help you on your mental wellness journey. If you or a loved one is struggling with thoughts of self harm, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

https://ag.utah.gov/asap/

https://extension.usu.edu/agwellness/

Why Does Agriculture Water Use Matter? Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

As a wrap up to our discussions about agriculture water use, Utah Commissioner of Agriculture, Craig Buttars, joins us on the show to provide us with his insights and information about agriculture water use. Commissioner Buttars has many years of experience in both agricutulre as well as public policy and share the knowlege he has with us.

The Truth About Alflafa Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

When it comes to the discussion about water conservation, much of the focus and often blame has been placed on one crop; alfalfa. Jokingly referred to as the A word, alfalfa is one of most commonly grown crops in the state of Utah and one of the most missunderstood. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Matt Yost, Associate Department Head and Professor of Plant, Soils, and Climate at Utat State University. Dr. Yost helps us better understand alfalfa, why its grown in Utah, and whether or not it is a net benefit.

For more information on the discussion points in this episode, refer to Ten Reasons Alfalfa is Highly Suitable For the West.

Agriculture Water and Its Affects on Soil Health and the Environment Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Soil health is a key component to protecting our enviroment and food supply. Agriculture water use and farming play a key role in protecting Utah's soils. Joining us on this episode is UDAF Soil Health Program Manager, Tony Richards, to help explain the importance of agriculture water use and what Utah's farmers and ranchers are doing to improve the soil health in Utah.

For more information about the Soil Health Program, visit their website.

Understanding Utah Water Rights Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

Understanding Utah's water rights system and laws is imperative to understanding the larger water conversation. State Water Engineer, Teresa Wilhelmsen, joins us on this episode to help educate us on water law and water rights and how that affects water distribution in Utah.

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