 DALLAS—
Millions of grasshoppers are costing farmers and ranchers nearly
$200 million in Texas alone this year as they devour valuable
ranch and farmland.
"It's
probably hit the hay producers and cattlemen the hardest. We've
had pastures and hay fields consumed by grasshoppers," said
entomologist Dr. Allen Knutson of Texas A&M University.
The pests
eat just about any kind of leafy green vegetation, and thrive
in warm dry weather, something the Southwest has had plenty of
during this blazing hot summer.
"They've
multiplied over the last two years because the conditions have
been favorable for high reproduction," said Eddie Baggs,
an agricultural extension agent. "They'll lay anywhere from
three to 500 eggs each, and with favorable conditions most of
those will hatch."
Oklahoma and
Texas have been hit hardest. New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas
have also been affected.
Farmers can
use expensive chemicals to slow the grasshoppers down, but the
only really effective solution is natural.
"We're
going to have to have some winter. Somehow, somewhere we're going
to have to have some winter and some spring rains to control these
grasshoppers naturally, because it's just a continuing war,"
said Baggs.
Some scientists
say this is the worst infestation of grasshoppers in 30 years
and until the first frost stops them, they'll just continue eating
up crops and profits.
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