CRP emergency haying and grazing released in 91 Kansas counties

The emergency release of Conservation Reserve Program acreage for grazing or haying in most Kansas counties was announced last week.

Those on our email list received this announcement on Thursday of last week. This development was covered by several media sources as well. Read on for more information about this opportunity.

Adrian J. Polansky, state executive director of USDA's Farm Service Agency in Kansas, announced last week that emergency haying and grazing of CRP acreage has been authorized in 91 Kansas counties, effective Monday, July 16.

The Kansas FSA State Committee used their authority with the D2 severe and D3 extreme drought designations on the U.S. Drought Monitor map to authorize the 91 counties following the end of the nesting season on July 15.

Southeast Kansas counties of Crawford, Cherokee, Neosho and Labette were not included in the approval as they are not yet designated a "D2" drought area, nor is Vernon County, Mo. Bourbon, Allen, Linn and Anderson counties in Kansas are included, as well as Bates County, Mo.

Eighteen of the 91 counties were previously approved for emergency grazing based upon 40 percent loss in moisture and forage.

Emergency haying in approved counties is allowed through Aug. 15. Participants must leave at least 50 percent of each field or contiguous fields unhayed for wildlife. Hay must be removed from the field within 30 days from end of the haying period. Hay cannot be sold.

Producers without livestock may rent or lease the haying privileges.

Emergency grazing in approved counties is allowed through Sept. 30. Participants shall leave at least 25 percent of each field or contiguous CRP fields ungrazed for wildlife or graze not more than 75 percent of the stocking rate.

All livestock must be removed by the end of this grazing period. Producers without livestock may rent or lease the grazing privileges.

The secretary of agriculture announced on July 11 the payment reduction cost for emergency haying and grazing has been reduced from 25 percent of the rental payment per acre to 10 percent for the 2012 year.

Emergency haying and grazing is not allowed on the same acreage, and any other approved CRP haying or grazing is not allowed on the same acreage.

Practices eligible are CP-1, establishment of permanent introduced grasses; CP-2, establishment of permanent native grasses; CP10, vegetative cover-grass already established; and CP38E, SAFE.

Kansas has been authorized to permit emergency grazing on practice CP-25, rare and declining habitat. Emergency haying is not authorized on practice CP-25.

CRP participants shall contact the local FSA county office to request emergency haying or grazing on an individual contract basis prior to haying or grazing.

Participants shall work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop a forage management plan prior to haying or grazing.

If the CRP cover is destroyed, the practice must be reestablished at their own expense to remain in compliance with the CRP contract. Participants accept a 10 percent reduction in the annual rental payment for the acres actually hayed or grazed in 2012.

CRP haying and grazing policies will be posted on-line at www.fsa.usda.gov/ks. Call your local USDA service center or farm service agency for details.

In Bourbon County, call (620) 223-1880 or stop by 1515 S. Judson in Fort Scott.