CRP lands available for hay or forage

On May 27, USDA announced that certain acreage enrolled in CRP would be made available for hay and forage after the ending of the primary nesting season according to Darla Campbell, Program Technician with the local Farm Service Agency.
“Due to the extreme drought conditions experienced in 2007, the strong demand and tight supplies of hay, and competition for acreage in 2008, USDA has determined that CRP participants may request modification of their Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts to help alleviate the shortages of hay and pastures” said Campbell.
Owners of CRP land may request to voluntarily modify their contracts to use the acreage for critical feed use or they may lease the privilege to another individual. Eligible acreage for haying or grazing includes land enrolled in practices CP-1, Permanent Introduced Grasses and Legumes, CP-2, Permanent Native Grasses, CP4B and CP4D, Permanent Wildlife Habitat and Corridors, CP10, Vegetative Cover, CP-18 B and CP-18D.
According to Campbell, participants that modify their CRP contracts, must (1) remove all hay from the acreage before November 10, 2008, (2) limit the haying of the acreage to one cutting only, (3) not hay or graze the same acreage; (4) leave at least 50% of each field unhayed; (5) not conduct the haying activity during the primary nesting season, (6) agree to re-establish at the participant’s expense, any cover destroyed or damaged as a result of critical feed use.
Campbell says participants that modify the CRP contract to include grazing as a critical feed use must pay an administrative fee of $75 before the County Committee approval of the contract addendum. There will not be a payment reduction on CRP acres as in past years.
CRP participants who wish to modify their contracts or would like additional information regarding the haying or grazing of CRP, should contact the local Farm Service Agency service center located at 811 Faulkner Springs Rd.