The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) urged agricultural producers in Iron, Beaver, Piute, and Tooele Counties to seek available recovery assistance following recent widespread wildfires. The agency also reminded residents to take precautions to prevent further fires.
UDAF Commissioner Kelly Pehrson stated that while wildfires can change ranching operations in hours, the recovery process often takes years. Pehrson noted that livestock producers are facing the loss of animals, grazing land, and essential resources.
Recent fires resulted in confirmed livestock deaths, with some livestock still missing or unaccounted for. Replacing these animals requires significant time and financial investment, as raising replacement cattle takes approximately three years to become productive, and prices for replacement livestock are at record highs.
The loss of grazing land has forced producers to rely on replacement feed, which is currently in short supply and high cost due to historic drought conditions.
UDAF indicated that the impacts of wildfire extend beyond the immediate fire, affecting the rural communities that rely on agriculture as an economic driver. Because much of Utah's livestock industry relies on grazing, wildfires create lasting consequences for producers and the land.
Affected producers are encouraged to contact local UDAF Grazing Improvement Program coordinators to discuss assistance. The UDAF Emergency Disaster Relief low-interest loan program remains open through November 2026 for drought-related losses and may assist with wildfire-related losses in counties with emergency declarations.
The Grazing Improvement Program may also help with recovery needs such as fencing and watering infrastructure. Additionally, the USDA Farm Service Agency offers various disaster assistance programs for livestock, grazing, and infrastructure losses.
