AMES, Iowa -- A decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow livestock grazing on land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) as a result of this year’s flooding provides additional management options for some farm operators, according to an Iowa State University Extension forage agronomist.
On July 7 the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced that due to extensive flooding in the Midwest and its effect on forage and livestock enterprises, grazing will be permitted on land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Most Iowa counties are included in this release offer.
Stephen B. Barnhart, ISU Extension agronomist, says farmers who are considering the use of CRP land for grazing need to follow some important steps in evaluating their options.
This opportunity will come at the cost of a 25 percent reduction in the annual CRP rental payment. Farmers need to weigh this cost against the value of the grazable forage available and its value.
Grazing only is allowed; not hay harvest. Most CRP fields have not had fences maintained, so producers are encouraged to evaluate fencing and water sources on each site, Barnhart said.
Both USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be involved in the administration of this grazing option, so farm operators will have to visit both local offices for details and final guidelines. At a minimum, the basic conservation management guidelines for CRP will likely restrict grazing along waterways. Other restrictions may be determined as the ‘rules’ are determined for management of these sites for the remainder of 2008, Barnhart said.
From the practical standpoint, the forage quantity and quality have already been adversely affected by the maturation of the plants up to this point in the growing season. For farmers who have the option of taking the 25 percent rental rate reduction and grazing as soon as possible, there will not be much difference or advantage in quantity or quality of grazable forage compared with waiting until Aug. 2 for grazing under other CRP contract use options that have a lower administration fee, but more use restrictions. Local situations and existing pasture conditions should be a consideration, Barnhart said. Consult local USDA-FSA and NRCS representatives to compare program costs and rules.
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