Grasshoppers Inundate Parts Of Kansas Again

Grasshoppers are once again infesting parts of Kansas, causing at least one small farmer in south-central Kansas to go out of business.

Experts say the years of drought left perfect conditions for grasshoppers although there numbers are not expected to be larger than normal in Kansas.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture shows significant grasshopper infestations from Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska west this year.

Gary Gantz, who operates DE Bondurant Grain in Ness City, says the insects are everywhere this year and farmers are worried any new growth they plant will be eaten.

Keven and Mary Ford are giving up their dream of running a small vegetable and livestock farm near St. Leo because, for the second year in a row, grasshoppers have decimated their crops.

Associated Press information from: The Hutchinson News