Haying on CRP Acres Allowed

July 7, 2000

USDA will permit emergency haying Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in areas of the country hit hardest by this year's drought. "The drought has devastated many farmers and ranchers," said Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman. "This additional emergency relief measure will provide some hay for producers who need it most."

To be approved for emergency haying, a county must have suffered at least a 40% loss of normal moisture and forage for the preceding four-month qualifying period. USDA will determine which counties will be approved for haying and will require CRP participants to submit applications with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices beginning today. Haying may be authorized until Aug. 31 or until disaster conditions no longer exist - whichever comes first.

Only livestock operations located within approved counties are eligible for emergency haying of CRP acreage. CRP participants who do not own or lease livestock may rent or lease the haying privilege to an eligible livestock farmer located in an approved county.

Annual rental payments will be reduced 25% to account for the areas hayed. At least 50% of the CRP contract acreage must be left unhayed for wildlife. Other restrictions and limitations also apply.

CRP is a voluntary program that offers annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term resource-conserving cover on eligible land. This action will permit approved CRP participants to harvest hay on CRP acreage and is designed to provide supplemental forage to producers whose pastures have been decimated by drought.