Agriculture Commons^™

Target Consumers For Organically Grown Fruit In Utah, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford, Tammy King

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This fact sheet provides an overview of target consumers for organically grown fruits and fruit products in Utah. The data examined here comes from an online survey (via Qualtrics) of Utah consumers conducted in 2023. Here, we compare those willing to pay premiums for organically grown fruit and those unwilling to do so, outlining the distinction between them in terms of their demographics, purchasing patterns and shopping habits, as well as their lifestyle and attitudes.

Target Consumers For Locally Grown Fruit In Utah, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford, Tammy King

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This fact sheet describes target consumers for locally grown fruits and fruit products in Utah. The data examined here comes from an online survey (via Qualtrics) of Utah consumers conducted in 2023. Here, we compare consumers who are willing to pay a higher premium for local fruit products and those who are not, outlining the distinction between them in terms of their demographics, purchasing patterns and shopping habits, as well as their lifestyle and attitudes.

Intermountain West Wholesale Cut Flower Buyer Market Analysis, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford, Melanie Stock, Katherine Wagner, Cheyenne Reid, Victoria Xiong, Cody Zesiger

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This fact sheet discusses the results of a study conducted in early 2024 with wholesale flower buyers operating in the Intermountain West. The study was intended to provide local cut flower growers with pertinent information on wholesale buyer preferences for sourcing flowers from the Intermountain West, including pricing, quantity, variety, and delivery preferences. The study also included wholesaler business details and current supplier challenges to assist growers in identifying market gaps and needs.

Intermountain West Florist Local Cut Flower Sourcing Preferences, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford, Melanie Stock, Katherine Wagner, Cheyenne Reid, Victoria Xiong, Cody Zesiger

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This fact sheet, the second in a two-part series, outlines a study conducted in January 2024 with florists operating in the Intermountain West. It provides local cut flower growers with pertinent information on florist preferences for sourcing flowers locally. An online Qualtrics survey was conducted in January 2024 with florists in six Intermountain states, including Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana. A total of 1,412 florists were invited by email to complete the survey. A total of 205 florists responded to the survey, with 170 valid responses. The survey questions centered on various aspects of florist businesses, including their …

Intermountain West Florist Market Overview And Outlook, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford, Melanie Stock, Katherine Wagner, Cheyenne Reid, Victoria Xiong, Cody Zesiger

All Current Publications

This fact sheet, the first in a two-part series from a January 2024 study, focuses on florist and market trends in the Intermountain West. The study provides local cut flower growers with pertinent information on the florist market such as current sourcing and flower expenditures, primary markets and annual sales, as well as current supplier challenges. Market trends regarding sales, flower variety, and color predictions are also discussed. This information will help growers identify current gaps in the florist market and explore ways to meet florist needs.

Consumer Perceptions And Preferences For Utah Fresh And Packaged Fruit, Makaylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis, Marcelo Pignatari

All Current Publications

In this fact sheet, we discuss the results of a 2023 study examining Utah consumer perceptions and preferences for Utah fresh and packaged fruit products. Study data were collected online via a Qualtrics survey, and 384 Utah adults completed the survey. Utah consumer food behaviors and attitudes, including participation in food and agricultural tourism activities, are discussed. We analyze the most consumed fruits and the preferred purchasing options for various fruit types, such as packaged, frozen, canned, and fresh. Additionally, we explore the factors influencing consumers’ decisions when buying fruit and review the product information they rely on. Overall, the …

Fruit Production And Opportunities For Growers In Utah, Makaylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis

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This fact sheet discusses the state of the fruit industry in Utah, its impact on the Utah economy, as well as current challenges the fruit industry faces and opportunities for fruit growers moving forward. These challenges and opportunities underscore the importance of fruit to the state’s economy, as growers navigate urbanization, competition, and consumer preferences for locally grown produce. Fostering collaboration between consumers and growers will ensure a commitment to local agriculture and community support.

Fruit Consumption Indicators: Who Consumes More Fruit In Utah?, Makaylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis

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This fact sheet discusses fruit consumption patterns in Utah, exploring the key demographic and socioeconomic factors linked to increased fruit intake. Fruit growers and marketers can use this information to design effective promotional campaigns targeting consumers more likely to purchase fruit and fruit products.

Utah Fruit Growers Assessment Results Overview, Makaylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis

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Fruit growers throughout Utah manage operations of varying sizes and sell their fruit products fresh or processed through various direct-to-consumer and wholesale markets. In early winter 2023, researchers conducted an online survey via Qualtrics to better understand the fruit products under production, current marketing methods, grower concerns, and future business interests. This fact sheet provides an overview of the survey results.

Utah Consumer Preferences And Willingness To Pay For Specialty Labeled Fruit Products, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford, Marcelo Pignatari

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In this fact sheet, we discuss the results of a 2023 study examining Utah consumer preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for fruit products labeled local (Utah’s Own™), organic, and GMO-free. We discuss and compare survey respondents' past consumption, awareness, preferences, and attitudes toward these labeling programs. Additionally, we examine consumer WTP values for each of these labels for three fruit varieties and fresh and dried products, namely fresh apples, strawberries, and dried tart cherries.

Cow-Calf Retained Ownership Analysis And Price Forecasting Using An Online Decision-Support Tool, Dillon M. Feuz

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Cow-calf producers frequently must make the decision to either sell their calves at weaning or soon thereafter or retain ownership of the calves through a background/growing phase. While the price they might receive at weaning may be known, there is great uncertainty about what cattle prices might be at the end of the retained ownership program. This fact sheet explains a method for reducing some of the uncertainty with cattle prices when the sale will occur months in the future and introduces a web-based decision-support tool that can help cattle producers quickly analyze the potential returns and risks from various …

Livestock Risk Protection Insurance: Swine, Logan B. Haviland, Ryan Feuz

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Livestock risk protection (LRP) insurance is a partially subsidized livestock insurance provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) that provides protection to producers against unexpected price declines. This fact sheet presents specific coverage information for swine and presents optimal coverage options based on historical contract performance.

Livestock Risk Protection Insurance: Fed Cattle, Logan B. Haviland, Ryan Feuz

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Livestock risk protection (LRP) insurance is a partially subsidized livestock insurance provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) that provides protection to producers against unexpected price declines. This fact sheet presents specific coverage information for fed cattle and presents optimal coverage options based on historical contract performance.

Livestock Risk Protection Insurance: Feeder Cattle, Logan B. Haviland, Ryan Feuz

All Current Publications

Livestock risk protection (LRP) insurance is a partially subsidized livestock insurance provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) that provides protection to producers against unexpected price declines. This fact sheet presents specific coverage information for feeder cattle and presents optimal coverage options based on historical contract performance.

Livestock Risk Protection Insurance Faq, Logan B. Haviland, Ryan Feuz

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Livestock risk protection (LRP) insurance is a partially subsidized livestock insurance provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) that provides protection to producers against unexpected price declines. This fact sheet presents commonly asked questions and answers surrounding livestock risk protection insurance. It outlines the purpose of the program and explains how producers can use LRP insurance to mitigate price risk.

Understanding Cut Flower Consumers, Makaylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis, Melanie Stock

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This fact sheet provides information on cut flower consumers, such as floral preferences and consumer demographics and psychographics. It discusses possible ways to enhance perceived value and interest in cut flowers.

Cut Flower Markets And Marketing In The Intermountain West, Makylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis, Melanie Stock

All Current Publications

This fact sheet discusses different markets for cut flowers in the Intermountain West, including wholesale and direct-to-consumer markets. Farmers markets, community-supported agriculture and subscription services, u-pick operations, farm venues, and online options are explored, as well as using social media to advertise and build clientele.

An Overview Of The Cut Flower Industry, Makaylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis, Melanie Stock

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides an overview of the cut flower industry. It provides information about traditional and specialty cut flowers, comparing flowers sourced locally in Utah and internationally.

Which Factors Influence Consumer Organic Specialty Bakery Product Taste Ratings?, Tatiana Drugova, Kynda R. Curtis

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In this fact sheet, we compare consumer taste ratings for organic and conventional specialty bakery products and analyze what factors explain the differences. These products are typically consumed for pleasure and are more expensive than mainstream baked goods. However, consumers have high quality expectations, including taste, which may be an issue if not satisfactory. Understanding factors that impact consumer taste rating for organic specialty bakery products can help identify what might be done to improve taste perceptions/expectations and the success of organic specialty bakery/pastry products.

Consumer Taste Beliefs Impact Organic Specialty Baked Good Pricing, Tatiana Drugova, Kynda R. Curtis

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In this fact sheet, we discuss how consumer taste beliefs related to organic specialty baked goods differ from their taste beliefs for conventional specialty baked goods, and whether this difference affects the amount consumers are willing to pay for organic-labeled specialty baked goods. In other words, we examine how an organic label on baked goods affects taste perceptions and willingness to pay (WTP). Further, we examine whether providing information about organic labeling standards changes consumer taste beliefs and impacts WTP for organic baked goods. Finally, we examine the impact of providing taste information to mimic scenarios where respondents know the …

Who Values Organic Specialty Bakery Products?, Tatiana Drugova, Kynda R. Curtis

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In this fact sheet, we examine differences in socio-demographics and lifestyle choices between those who view organic as important when purchasing specialty bakery products and those who don’t, with the aim to identify a target market of consumers who prefer organic specialty bakery products. Additionally, we evaluate other important product attributes to consumers seeking organic specialty bakery products. Consumer taste ratings for organic and conventional specialty bakery products are compared for those who value organics and those who don’t to evaluate the impact of taste beliefs on consumer demand for organic specialty bakery products.

Ten Considerations For Solar-Powered Irrigation In Utah, Ngonidzashe Mufute, Matt Yost, Burdette Barker, Kalen Taylor, Mark Nelson, Randall Violett, Jody Gale

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This fact sheet outlines considerations for using solar-powered irrigation in Utah:

• Solar powered irrigation (SPI) is becoming more cost effective and practical to consider on the farm as the cost of alternative sources of energy are rising.
• Irrigators can now benefit from incentives such as tax credits to help offset costs.
• Investing in solar provides more independence from price fluctuations and energy shortages.
• Considerations for SPI systems include energy demand of the irrigation system, type and value of crops grown, available incentives and support, cost and accessibility of alternative energy sources, and multiple uses of the …

High Tunnel Construction Cost Calculation Workbook, Shannon Rauter, Melanie Stock, Brent Black, Dan Drost

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The cost of building a high tunnel fluctuates over time with supply prices. This Excel workbook accompanies the USU Extension fact sheet, "Constructing a Low-cost High Tunnel" by Black, Drost, Rowley, and Heflebower (2011) and allows users to input local supply costs. The workbook then calculates the cost to build a USU low-cost high tunnel with several design options according to high tunnel length and door structure. It also provides an example calculation based on April 2022 pricing for reference.

Utah Farmers Market Snap Toolkit, Regan Emmons, Bridget Stuchly, Gina Cornia

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Utah State University Extension provides research-based programs and resources with the goal of improving the lives of individuals, families and communities throughout Utah. USU Extension manages Create Better Health, Utah’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program (known as SNAP-Ed), and provides nutrition education and obesity prevention services to SNAP recipients and other eligible low-income individuals. Create Better Health (SNAP-Ed) offers a variety of classes to expand participants’ knowledge of nutrition, budgeting, cooking, food safety, and physical activity. This toolkit outlines how farmers markets can implement a SNAP program and help combat food insecurity in their communities.

Drought Mitigation For Cow/Calf Producers: Depopulation Strategies, Reganne K. Briggs, Joshua Dallin, Jacob Hadfield, Matthew D. Garcia

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Drought is a recurring event faced by many cow/calf producers across the nation. As drought events increase in their severity, it is important for cattle producers to have a management plan to mitigate the economic effects of drought. Two of the most common strategies for mitigating the effects of drought include buying additional feed and depopulating a portion of the herd. This fact sheet reviews strategies that will guide the decision-making process to cull cattle during drought.

Evaluating Alternative Feed Sources During Drought, Matthew D. Garcia, Ruger P. Carter, Ryan Larsen, Eric Thacker, Jacob Hadfield, Reganne K. Briggs, Justen Smith

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During years of drought, it is important to critically evaluate alternative feed sources available for cattle. The traditional method for sustaining a herd through a drought is feeding extra stored forage to compensate for decreased forage production or decreased forage quality available on rangelands and pastures due to drought conditions. However, hay prices rise substantially, and availability decreases due to irrigation water limitations and increased demand from livestock producers. This fact sheet will evaluate why hay prices rise and what alternatives are available to compensate for forage reductions during drought.

Size And Scope Of San Juan County Agriculture 2020, Reagan Wytsalucy, Ryan Feuz, Ryan Larsen, Paige Wray

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Located in the southeast corner of the state with approximately 5.2 million acres, San Juan County (SJC) is the largest county in Utah. It makes up one of the four corner states bordered by Colorado on the east and Arizona on the south. Surrounding Utah counties include Kane, Garfield, Wayne, Emery, and Grand. The current population is estimated at 15,772. This fact sheet provides agricultural information on land ownership, crop, vegetable, and livestock production, county characteristics, and producer farm income for San Juan County.

Bakery Organic Wheat Flour Quality And Quantity Requirements, Tatiana Drugova, Kynda R. Curtis

All Current Publications

This fact sheet summarizes the findings of a survey conducted with bakery owners and managers to assess their organic wheat flour quality and sourcing needs. We examine the importance of various quality measures in bakery decisions to purchase organic flour and baker perceptions of organic and conventional flour quality. We also discuss the hurdles and issues that bakeries face when purchasing organic flour and what prevents them from using organic flour if not currently doing so. Given the significant contribution of the Intermountain West’s production to domestic organic wheat supply, growers and millers must understand the needs of organic wheat …

Wheat Miller And Distributor Organic Wheat Quality And Quantity Requirements, Tatiana Drugova, Kynda R. Curtis

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This fact sheet summarizes the findings of a survey conducted with wheat buyers (millers and distributors) to assess their organic wheat quality and sourcing needs. We examine the importance of various quality measures in miller and distributor decisions to purchase organic wheat and their perceptions of organic and conventional wheat quality. We also discuss the issues wheat buyers face when purchasing organic wheat and what prevents them from buying organic wheat if not already doing so. Given the significant contribution of the Intermountain West’s production to domestic organic wheat supply, growers and breeders must understand the needs of organic wheat …

Drought-Tolerant Options For Southwest Agriculture: Edible Produce, Emily Rice, Kynda R. Curtis

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The arid Southwest has been heavily impacted by drought and climate change. The Southwest states are some of the driest in the nation. From 2000 to 2020, 65% of the state of Utah experienced abnormally dry conditions, 78% of Arizona, 69% of New Mexico, and 71% of Nevada. Drought can damage pastures and crops, leading to economic losses in agriculture. Sustaining agricultural production (crops, food, livestock) on tribal lands will become progressively more challenging in the future due to decreased water availability, extended droughts, and changes in precipitation quantities and timing. This fact sheet is the second in a series …