Agriculture
Box Elder County has some of the most productive soils in Utah that are used for wheat, corn grain and silage, barley, oats, safflower, alfalfa and onion production. Soils along the benches of the mountains from Willard to Brigham City support fruit tree production of apricots, sweet and tart cherries, peaches, pears and apples.
Box Elder County was the number one county in total grain production for the State of Utah and was the State’s largest producer of winter wheat in 2003, producing 59 percent of the State total. Box Elder County growers produced more than 2.5 million bushels of wheat on the fertile drylands and irrigated fields. The county is also number one or in the top five counties for barley, spring wheat, corn grain and silage and alfalfa and other hay production.
Box Elder County ranks #1 in Utah in beef cattle inventory at about 40,500 head which also ranks 88th in the nation. The county is also home to 10,000 dairy cows and 35,600 head of sheep.
2025 Community Impact Report
At USU Extension - Box Elder County, we are so proud of the work we do, and would love to share a couple highlights from our programming in 2025. We hope you enjoy the full report sharing some of our community impacts.
Local Research
Providing research-based programs and resources with the goal of improving the lives of individuals, families and communities throughout Box Elder County.
Fruit Trees
Fruit trees has recommendations and descriptions for several fruit trees as well as information on the different insects and tree diseases that can affect fruit trees.
Small Fruit Production
Small fruit production includes information on site preparation, planting, caring, and harvesting for raspberries, blueberries, elderberries, currants/gooseberries, and strawberries.
Publications
Extension specialist have published several helpful articles on insect pests, soils, and control of iron chlorosis. Select a topic and browse through many helpful resources.
Century Farm and Ranch Application
The state’s agricultural industry conducts an annual search for family-owned farms and ranches, which have stood through 100 years, as hallmarks of our agricultural heritage.
The Utah Century Farms & Ranches Committee is searching for farms and ranches which have remained in the hands of the same family unit for one hundred years or more. The Utah Century Farm & Ranch Designation will honor the commitment of Utah farm and ranch families to the state’s agricultural industry, the bold determination farmers and ranchers have exhibited throughout the development of our state’s customs and culture, and their affirmation of the vision of the pioneers in assisting the desert to “blossom as a rose.”
