Floods put farmers in fix

Western Weber County has been called the epicenter of flooding in the state, and farmers and ranchers say they've been in the worst holding pattern of their lives since April.

Regardless of any issues with levees and river control, ground water here just won't go away and it will keep many farmers from even beginning to work their ground, likely for another month.

It's a devastation they say the county will feel for years to come.

"Agriculture in Weber County generates roughly $50 million in gross revenue," said Ron Gibson, president of the Weber County Farm Bureau. But, he said, there also is a multiplier of about seven that measures the total economic impact that money has.

"That's a $350 million affect on Weber County," he said. "That's a huge number."

At present, no one knows for sure what the exact dollar impact will be. There's no accounting of how many total acres now are underwater.

But what is known is that the impact is here to stay as farm productivity has been washed away in the rising waters.

"Some of the affects won't be seen for months," said Matt Hargreaves, public relations specialist with the Utah Farm Bureau Federation.

"Farmers have reported the flooding and that it is serious, but we haven't really measured it as far as how many acres have been lost," said Kerry McBride, of the Utah office of National Agriculture Statistics.

"We're doing a June survey right now asking how many acres have been planted to various crops so we will have an idea of how many acres have been planted. ... It won't give you an idea of the flooded acres."

James Barnhill, Utah State University extension agent in Weber County, said there will be many hidden costs to be borne by those whose ground is covered with water.

Not only is there lost production for this year, he said, but losses will include re-planting of hay fields that normally have to be planted only every 25 or 30 years.

There also will be loss of investments such as ditches and fertilizer and a need to re-level the ground.

"It's bad now, but the real financial test is when you need that feed that we're not growing now," said Weber County Commissioner Kerry Gibson.

A fifth-generation farmer and rancher, Ron Gibson said he feels a great deal of pressure not only about maintaining his livelihood, but also about possibly losing what his ancestors worked so hard to create.

"It's been in our family since 1869," he said. "There is a dang lot of pressure on me to make sure it doesn't turn into a disaster."

Gibson said his family dairy milks 1,500 cows and farms 1,200 acres. He said 400 acres that support his farm now are underwater.

Blair Hancock, who owns Hancock Dairy, LLC in West Weber, said he dreams of a different outcome.

"Can we apply for a do-over and start out different?" he said.

His operation works 200 acres annually, 86 of which are now underwater.

Hancock estimates his operation's losses this year to be in the $100,000 range.

"It's the worst I've seen it in my lifetime," said the 55-year-old farmer. "In 1983 when it flooded, it wasn't near as bad. It didn't last as long. We were able to put a crop in at the first of July. This year, it's looking like it will be the end of July, if at all."

Hancock said the problem is that dairymen have the price of milk set for them so they are not able to raise their prices when their costs go up.

For now, he's trying to plant and work what ground he can get to in the most efficient way possible.

But Hancock said he has dreams of pulling out of this dilemma in a miraculous way.

"I'd like to have a big, 10-gallon hat and pass it around (for money), " he said.

While visiting farmers and ranchers in Weber County, Gov. Gary Herbert spoke privately with some of them about farm grants and other financial aid to help them recover from this year.

But he also spoke publicly about individuals working to meet their own needs.

Hancock said the idea of free money was appealing.

"If we can find some of that no-interest and no-pay back, that would work," he said.

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