Grasshopper outlook for 2021 is ominous

The Extension Office will be having a Grasshopper meeting in the library basement on December 8 at 12:30 pm. There is a limit of 25 people and mask will be required at the meeting. Please contact the Extension Office if you plan to attend in person. The program will also be available by zoom. Contac the office if you want the link to the meeting by zoom.

The grasshopper outlook for 2021 for Montana looks to be very tough for agriculture. Currently, USDA APHIS is predicting 16.5 million acres in the state to be above the economic threshold for grasshoppers (15 or more grasshoppers per square yard is above the economic threshold). If you consider the area in the 8-15 hopper per square yard range or on the verge of economic threshold, the area impacted could be 26.5 million acres. For Phillips County half of the county is above the economic threshold and another 25% of the county is very close to the economic threshold.

Producers need to contact the Extension Office by Friday December 11, 2020 if they believe they will spray rangelands for grasshoppers in 2021. This would include producers private acres, state acres, and BLM acres if they have a permit. USDA APHIS only has $1 million appropriated for the 2021 grasshopper season for the entire Western US. They are trying to build a case for needing more appropriations to address the need. Your participation, if you choose, will help them in this process. You can email [email protected] or call the Extension Office at 406-654-2543 to share your information. The Extension Office will forward your information on to USDA APHIS. Any question, please contact the Extension Office.