Updated: Fri Jul. 17 2009 18:49:33

ctvedmonton.ca

An Alberta farmer fears a grasshopper infestation will destroy his farm, forcing him out of the industry altogether.

Richard Hillmer's farm is located west of Fort Assiniboine, where it's been devastated by grasshoppers in recent weeks. But his major concern is for the 250-cattle on his farm who are running out room to graze due to the damaged pastures. If this continues, Hillmer says he'll have to sell his livestock and get out of the farming industry altogether.

County of Woodlands officials say they won't have an official grasshopper count until the end of the month. The grasshoppers coupled with dry conditions have the county on the brink of declaring the region an agricultural disaster area. That will be decided at a council meeting next week.