LAYTON—The severe drought conditions have impacted more than green lawns. It could mean skyrocketing food prices as farms struggle to maintain their crops with so little water. 

Gov. Spencer Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Commissioner Craig Buttars met with Layton farmer Tyson Roberts last week to discuss the effects of drought on agriculture.

“Utah farms and ranches have seen water cuts from 70-75 percent across the state,” said Cox. “I’m grateful to our farmers and ranchers for doing their part to conserve water, but we know these cutbacks will have a direct effect on the food we eat and on every aspect of our economy. As a state, we stand ready to help our farmers and ranchers through an extremely trying time.”

The entire state is experiencing drought conditions, according to the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Utah reservoir levels are at 58 percent, which is lower than they were at the end of the 2020 irrigation season last October.

Farmers planted less alfalfa and hay in anticipation of a water shortage. That resulted in a shortage of feed which in turn caused hay prices to double over the last few months, according to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. Some ranchers were forced to sell off livestock because it became too expensive to feed the livestock.

“The effects of this unprecedented drought are massive and will be felt by every sector of the economy,” said Buttars. “We must work to support farmers and ranchers to support food security locally and ensure producers are able to maintain economically viable operations and can continue to grow and raise food and fiber for us all.”

Farmers use science to raise more food on less land and using less water, said Roberts, who owns and operates Roberts Family Farms in Layton. “Both the quality and the yield of our crops are down. We’re in survival mode and we appreciate the state offering help during this difficult time.”