The Montana Stockgrowers Association submitted a request last week to Congressman Ryan Zinke for his consideration of a financial appropriation to address the 2024 grasshopper forecast. Zinke currently serves on the appropriations committee.
Over the last month, MSGA has held grasshopper educational sessions where interest around the state on this topic amplified the significant concern ranchers have regarding the 2024 grasshopper forecast. MSGA staff has been working with Congressman Zinke’s office on tools and solutions for Montana ranchers.
In the organization’s letter to the congressman MSGA noted, “ranchers have managed to self-fund suppression in past years, the 2024 grasshopper forecast compounded by a multi-year drought, years of uninterrupted grasshopper infestations, and record high input costs make this year’s situation feel insurmountable. Ranchers have already identified significant acres that may need to be treated and the need continues to grow.”
Each grasshopper consumes their body weight and destroys six times their body weight of vegetation daily. With a density of 15 or more grasshoppers per square yard, massive quantities of livestock forage are ruined each year. The Rangeland Grasshopper Hazard forecast by USDA APHIS for 2024 projects that a significant portion of Montana will see a high density of adult grasshoppers throughout the season.
Currently, there are no dollars allocated to Montana for grasshopper control. MSGA is asking for an appropriation of $3-5 million to be dedicated for USDA APHIS to treat acres in Montana for grasshopper suppression.
