CRP Opened for Grazing in Seven States

May 23, 2002

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman Wednesday announced the early authorization of emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in an effort to provide drought relief in areas hardest hit by drought conditions during the past year. The announcement was made so producers in eligible counties in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming could participate immediately in the program.

"The extreme drought has devastated many farmers and ranchers, especially in western states," said Veneman. "We are announcing this emergency relief measure a month earlier than in previous drought years to provide immediate relief for producers when they need it most."

This action will permit approved CRP participants to graze livestock on CRP acreage, providing supplemental forage to producers whose pastures have been affected negatively by drought.

Generally, to be approved for emergency grazing, a county must have suffered at least a 40% loss of normal moisture and forage for the preceding four-month qualifying period. This week, USDA will notify eligible counties that have been approved for grazing and will require CRP participants to submit applications with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices upon approval. Grazing 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 grazing of CRP acreage. CRP participants who do not own or lease livestock may rent or lease the grazing privilege to an eligible livestock farmer located in an approved county.

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