2014 has been a good year for agriculture, but future concerns exist in Cache County

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When it comes to agriculture, Cache County Extension Agricultural Agent Clark Israelsen says 2014 may go down as the best year we’ve had in Cache Valley. The agricultural industry in Cache Valley has never been in better shape according to Israelsen. He said producers are getting good prices for products, and weather has continued to cooperate.

On <a href=”http://610kvnu.com/assets/podcaster/328/2014_12_10_328_28428_2867.mp3″ target=”_blank”>KVNU’s Crosstalk program Tuesday</a>, Israelsen said there’s enough water right now but he is pleased we have Bob Fatheringham here as the county’s water manager because he is a great resource. He said although efforts to get a water conservancy district have failed before he agrees with Fatheringham that it should be tried again.

<span>”No one seems to have a better idea and our needs are still there,” Israelsen said. “As our population continues to grow and expand, even though some of that water goes from agricultural use to residential use, there is still a process to get that to the families or businesses that need it.”</span>

Israelsen said he feels it won’t be long before another serious discussion on the need for a water conservancy district comes up again.

Israelsen said if there is one problem plaguing agriculture the most this year it is an over-abundance of voles, which some people call a mouse. He said they are bigger than a mouse and they do a lot of burrowing and digging, even in residential areas.

“They chew on the roots of the plants. They especially like alfalfa,” he explained. “It has a fleshy tap root and they gnaw and chew on that. Also with the burrowing and the tunneling they will destroy winter wheat, virtually any crop really.”

He said there are ways to control them and they’re being used and hopefully the numbers will be reduced soon. He said once the snow comes it is harder to get rid of them because they are protected by the snow

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