Agency: Agriculture

Line Item: Administration

Function

The DAF Administration line item contains most of the department's programs. Detail on each program can be found in the following sections.

Intent Language

Under the terms of 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that appropriations provided for the General Administration line item in Item 24, Chapter 6, Laws of Utah 2012, shall not lapse at the close of FY 2013. Expenditures of these funds are limited to: Capital Equipment or Improvements $118,000; Computer Equipment/Software $93,000; Employee Training/Incentives $179,000; Equipment/Supplies $95,500; Vehicles $20,000; Special Projects/Studies $1,213,000.

The Legislature intends that the Department of Agriculture and Food shall allocate at least $125,000 to its Utah's Own Program in FY 2014.

The Legislature intends that the managers of the Grazing Improvement Program and the Watershed Restoration Program present to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee by November 2013 a plan to improve the coordination and collaboration between the two programs. The Legislature further intends that each program identify performance measures that track and report the public benefits from their projects.

Funding Detail

For more detail about a particular source of finance or organizational unit, click a linked entry in the left column of the table(s) below.

Program: General Administration

Function

The DAF General Administration program ensures that all financial transactions are performed according to state laws and procedures. Other responsibilities include budgeting, human resource management, information technology services, establishment of department policies, federal grant administration, and other accounting functions.

Statutory Authority

The following laws govern operation of this program:

• UCA 4-2-1 creates the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), making it responsible for administration of all laws, services, and consumer programs related to agriculture.
• UCA 4-2-2 lists powers and duties.
• UCA 4-2-3 sets administration of the department under the control of a commissioner appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate.
• UCA 4-2-4 allows the commissioner to organize the department into divisions as necessary for efficient administration.
• UCA 4-2-5 requires the commissioner to prepare and submit an itemized budget each year.
• UCA 4-2-7 creates the Agricultural Advisory Board.

Funding Detail

Program: Meat Inspection

Function

Utah's meat inspection system ensures that meat and poultry coming from state-inspected facilities is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged as required by state law (UCA 4-32) and federal law. The program inspects and regulates raw beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and turkey, as well as ready-to-eat and other processed products. Inspectors test for the presence of pathogens, toxins, drugs and chemical residues. Inspections are done before and after slaughter. Facilities are inspected for cleanliness and sanitation. According to the USDA, consumers spend one third of their annual food dollars on meat and poultry products.

Statutory Authority

UCA 4-32 "Utah Meat and Poultry Products Inspection and Licensing Act" governs operation of this program.

Funding Detail

Program: Chemistry Laboratory

Function

The Chemistry Laboratory provides analytical support and services for the various divisions of the department. Analysis may be performed for other agencies as long as it does not interfere with work required by the department. In all cases, the purpose of the work is to ensure that products comply with label guarantees, are free of pathogens and toxins, and to protect the consumer, farmer, and industry. Some of the products tested are feed, fertilizer, pesticides, meat and meat products, dairy products, food, groundwater, and other items as needed.

Statutory Authority

UCA 4-2-2 requires the state chemist to be appointed by the commissioner and lists the chemist's responsibilities. The state chemist performs all analytical tests required by the Agricultural Code. The lab may perform tests for other agencies or anybody else if the tests don't interfere with work required by UDAF, and if a fee is charged.

Performance

The following are the top measures chosen by the agency management to gauge the success of its programs.

Cost per Sample: The figure below presents the costs per sample and is intended to measure the efficiency of the lab. The program's goal is to reduce costs without compromising on accuracy or turn-around time. The measure is calculated by dividing the total laboratory costs by the total number of samples analyzed each year.

Cost per Test: The next measure tracks the costs per test.

Time to Complete a Test: The Lab's goal for this measure is to reduce the time to analyze samples submitted to the laboratory from other divisions.

Funding Detail

Program: Animal Health

Function

The aim of the Animal Health program is to maintain the disease free status and promote the marketability of Utah animals and to protect public health. This benefits the animals, the livestock industry, and the public. The program administers various state and federal cooperative disease control programs. It monitors animal imports to the state, reviews all Certificates of Veterinary Inspection, contracts with local veterinarians for inspections, and inspects aquaculture facilities, slaughter plants, brine shrimp plants, dog food plants, etc. A staff of veterinarians and professionally-trained inspectors carries out most of the work. Homeland security is a significant aspect of the program. The law further provides quarantine powers to the Commissioner to prevent the spread of contagious or infectious deceases.

Statutory Authority

The following chapters of UCA 4 govern operation of this program:

• Chapter 7, Agricultural Products and Livestock Dealers' Act
• Chapter 8, Agricultural Fair Trade Act
• Chapter 21, Beef Promotion
• Chapter 29, Diseases of Poultry
• Chapter 30, Livestock Markets
• Chapter 31, Livestock Inspection and Quarantine
• Chapter 32, Meat and Poultry
• Chapter 37, Aquaculture Act
• Chapter 39, Domesticated Elk Act

Performance

One of the responsibilities of the Animal Health Program is to train and certify veterinarians and their staff on how to recognize Trichomoniasis. This figure shows the number of veterinarians who were certified to take samples for Trichomoniasis.

Funding Detail

Program: Plant Industry

Function

The Plant Industry program performs a wide scope of inspection, regulatory and enforcement activities, including: pesticide product registration; fertilizer product registration and sampling; nursery licensing and inspection; inspection and grading of fresh fruits and vegetables; USDA Restricted Use pesticide record auditing; Utah Noxious Weed Act enforcement; animal feed product registration and sampling; and seed inspection and sampling. District compliance specialists perform inspections and regulatory functions throughout the state. Seasonal personnel are employed as needed. Office personnel are utilized to handle the registrations and licensing for the division.

The pesticide program includes applicator certification, pesticide enforcement, worker protection standards, endangered species protection, and groundwater protection.

Statutory Authority

The following chapters of UCA 4 govern operation of this program:

• Chapter 12, Utah Commercial Feed Act
• Chapter 13, Utah Fertilizer Act
• Chapter 14, Utah Pesticide Control Act
• Chapter 15, Utah Nursery Act
• Chapter 16, Utah Seed Act
• Chapter 17, Utah Noxious Weed Act

Performance

Staff inspectors sample fertilizer, animal feed, seed, and conducts pesticide enforcement to determine truth in labeling and assure consumer protection. The goal is to reduce the amount of violations and to assure consumer protection.

Funding Detail

Program: Regulatory Services

Function

The Regulatory Services program can be broken down into seven areas: food compliance, dairy compliance, retail meat compliance, egg and poultry grading, product labeling, upholstery and bedding inspection, and weights and measures. The prime responsibility is to ensure that Utah consumers receive a safe, wholesome, and properly labeled supply of agricultural products. The program also plays an active role in Homeland Security for food protection.

Statutory Authority

The following chapters of UCA 4 govern operation of this program:

• Chapter 3, Utah Dairy Act
• Chapter 4, Eggs
• Chapter 5, Utah Wholesome Food Act
• Chapter 9, Weights and Measures
• Chapter 10, Upholstered Furniture, Bedding and Quilted Clothing
• Chapter 33, Motor Fuel Inspection
• Chapter 34, Charitable Donation of Food

Performance

The following are the top measures chosen by the agency management to gauge the success of this program.

High Risk Factors: The first measure tracks the percentage of facilities processing food that are identified as "High Risk" facilities. High Risk facilities are those that, for any reason, are not meeting minimum industry standards as required by law. Such facilities could pose a high risk for contamination if the items are not processed properly. The target, 15%, is set based on the National 2010 Health Objective.

The inspection results show a favorable trend. However, since staff is not able to inspect all facilities each year, the data cannot be used to determine if the actual number of critical violations per facility is increasing or decreasing.

Milk Withdrawals: Milk may not be sold if it has antibiotic residues. The figure below presents the number of monthly withdrawals of milk due to antibiotic residue in the milk.

Gasoline Station Compliance: Inspectors from the Weights and Measures program inspect the gasoline stations in the state. They test the gas pumps to insure that they are metering the gasoline dispensed properly, test the gasoline in the underground storage tanks to insure that the water content is below safe minimums, test the octane percentage of the gasoline dispensed, and inspect the cleanliness of the facility. The figure below provides the percent of gasoline stations which pass the fuel pump inspection.

Funding Detail

Federal dollars are used for inspecting egg producers/retailers, inspecting meat handlers, grading dairy products, and inspecting school lunches. Dedicated credits come from fees charged for inspections of certain operations where food or dairy products are handled, and registration of food and weight and measures establishments.

Program: Sheep Promotion

Function

The department contracts with the Utah Woolgrowers Association to conduct promotional and educational programs. Statistical data and market information are presented to all woolgrowers comparing market price of lambs in Utah with other areas of the country so that the best market decisions might be made. Department representatives meet with woolgrowers at regular meetings to help stimulate and strengthen sheep and wool producer programs by discussing problems facing the industry and the alternatives necessary to solve them.

Statutory Authority

UCA 4-23-8 authorizes the department to spend up to $0.18 per head each year from the proceeds collected from the "head tax" on sheep for the promotion, advancement, and protection of the sheep interests of the state.

Funding Detail

This program is funded entirely from the General Fund Restricted - Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Account.

Program: Auction Market Veterinarians

Function

There are six auction markets held throughout the state. A veterinarian inspects all animals that pass through the market.

Funding Detail

Program: Brand Inspection

Function

The Brand Inspection program was established to keep to a minimum the loss of livestock through theft and stray. Loss prevention is accomplished through enforcement of the brand and estray laws (UCA 4-24 and 4-25) by field and auction inspectors who check all cattle and horses prior to sale, slaughter, or movement across state lines. The program also maintains a brand recording system so that ownership of animals can be readily determined through a master brand identification book. The brand book is published every five years.

This program is actively involved in tying the existing brand program to the new Animal Disease Traceability (ADT), where each livestock owner will be issued a premises I.D. number. This number was added to the brand card for easy reference as the system develops. ADT is a modern, streamlined information system that helps producers and animal health officials respond quickly and effectively to animal health events in the United States. The ADT program-a voluntary State-Federal-Industry partnership-is designed to:

1. Protect agriculture premises and producers' livelihoods;
2. Reduce hardships caused by an animal disease outbreak or other animal health events in the community; and
3. Protect access to agriculture markets.

In 1997 the Legislature gave this program responsibility of monitoring and regulating elk farming, and in 1999, private elk hunting. Livestock inspectors ensure animal identification, theft protection, genetic purity, and disease control. Domestic elk are now included in the department's definition of livestock.

Statutory Authority

The following chapters of UCA 4 govern operation of this program:

• Chapter 21, Beef Promotion
• Chapter 24, Utah Livestock Brand and Anti-theft Act
• Chapter 25, Estrays and Trespassing Animals
• Chapter 26, Dead Animals - Enclosures and Fences
• Chapter 39, Domestic Elk Act

Funding Detail

Program: Utah Horse Commission

Function

The Utah Horse Commission provides a regulatory structure for horse racing, administers rules and regulations, issues licenses, collects license fees, sanctions tracks and pays for approved expenses such as:

• Stewards (Commission may designate three Stewards at each race meet to enforce rules)
• Veterinarians
• Blood and urine testing
• Assistance with insurance and other items mandated by the Act

Statutory Authority

The five-member Utah Horse Racing Commission was created under the Utah Horse Regulation Act (UCA 4-38).

Funding Detail

The funding for the General Fund Restricted - Horse Racing Account comes from license fees paid by participants in racing and other racetrack activities.

Program: Environmental Quality

Function

This program provides incentive funding assistance to farmers and ranchers to voluntarily implement structural and management practices which help prevent animal waste and soil sediment from entering the state's water in priority watersheds. Funds are also used in conjunction with private and other government resources. This program is divided into three areas: Watershed Management, Groundwater Management, and Information and Education. Assistance is given to farmers and ranchers to meet the mandates of the federal Clean Water Act and the water quality rules of the State of Utah.

The conservation arm of this program helps farmers and ranchers protect the state's soil and water resources through soil conservation and water quality programs, coordination of the ARDL (Agriculture Resource Development Loan) program, the EPA 319 Water Quality program, rangeland monitoring, and a groundwater monitoring program.

Funding Detail

Federal funds are granted to assist irrigators in improving irrigation efficiency. The funding is also for protecting water quality and for promoting specialty crops relating to groundwater salinity. The improved irrigation reduces saline waters from entering the Colorado River System.

Program: Grain Inspection

Function

All grain may be officially inspected and graded to U.S. standards. These services are provided on a fee basis to grain elevators, flour mills, farmers, and others. Being funded mostly by Dedicated Credits, the program has some flexibility to adjust its size to meet the demands of the industry.

Statutory Authority

Grain inspection services are provided under authority of UCA 4-2 and under the authority of the Federal Grain Inspection Service.

Funding Detail

Program: Insect Infestation

Function

State law mandates an effective control of insects that are harmful to agricultural production in Utah. The law further provides quarantine powers to the Commissioner to prevent the spread or invasion of plant pests and disease. Program employees perform insect and invasive species surveys.

Statutory Authority

The following chapters of UCA 4 govern operation of this program:

• Chapter 11, Bee Inspection Act
• Chapter 35, Insect Infestation Emergency Control Act
• Chapter 36, Pest Control Compact

Funding Detail

Program: Marketing and Development

Function

The Marketing and Development program helps by expanding markets, adding value to locally-produced agricultural commodities, developing new products and promoting further in-state processing for state, national, and international markets. Part of this program is Utah's Own, which was created for consumers to look for and purchase Utah products.

Performance

The following are the top measures chosen by the agency management to gauge the success of this program.

Utah's Own: The figure below presents the number of new companies that sign up to be a member of the Utah's Own. Staff reported that there is no active recruiting taking place, other than observation and word of mouth from satisfied companies.

Program management anticipates that due to the limited number of food companies in Utah, the number of new companies joining Utah's Own will continue to decrease over time.

International Marketing Assistance: The second measure tracks the number of companies assisted with international marketing. As Utah companies grow they can diversify and expand market opportunities by exporting. The Marketing Division works with USDA, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), and US Commercial Service to help export Utah agriculture and food products.

Hits on Website: The Marketing Division is responsible to provide accurate and unbiased market information that is used by farmers, ranchers, insurance adjuster and attorneys. The management has been tracking the need for that information by measuring the number of hits on the Market News website.

Funding Detail

Program: Grazing Improvement

Function

The goal of the Grazing Improvement Program (GIP) is to incorporate the most effective use of federal, state, and private land. Staff works with landowners to identify what activities would allow the land to be profitable and still remain environmentally strong.

Statutory Authority

UCA 4-20 creates the Grazing Improvement Program.

Performance

The following are the top measures chosen by the agency management to gauge the success of this program.

Acres Impacted: This measure was created to determine the numbers of acres of grazing land "affected" by the projects completed through the Grazing Improvement Program. The numbers in the figure below not only include the acres that were treated/improved, but they also try to estimate the impact from the projects on the adjacent lands. Based on the type of project and treatment, the staff uses different criteria and formulas to estimate the impact on the surrounding lands.

Meetings Attended: The second most important measure for the GIP program is the number of meetings staff attends with land owners and land managers. The goal is to meet at least as many times as the target stipulates. It appears that the 3-5 FTEs of the GIP program always met or exceeded their cumulative goal of 25 meetings per year, except in FY 2010, when staff only had 22 meetings.

Technical Assistance: The third performance measure keeps track of the number of producers receiving technical assistance in grazing land resource enhancement projects and land management.

Funding Detail

The Grazing Improvement Program budget, as found in the General Administration line item, represents the administrative costs of the program's operation, covering personnel, travel, current expense, and other general operating expenditures.

In a separate line item, the Rangeland Improvement line item, the Legislature has appropriated the funding for the GIP projects. That funding is not used for administrative costs related to the creation of the projects.