Haying and grazing

Aaron Johnson, Acting State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency in Idaho, has just announced that emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program acreage has been approved for five counties in Idaho. The Idaho FSA State Committee received requests from the County Committees in Bingham, Bonneville, Fremont, Madison and Power. Haying and grazing can begin on August 2, 2014. Emergency haying in approved counties is allowed through August 31, 2014. Participants must leave at least 50 percent of each field or contiguous CRP field unhayed for wildlife. Hay must be removed from the field within 30 days from the end of the haying period. Hay cannot be sold. Producers without livestock may rent or lease the haying privileges.

Candy Moore, Communications/Outreach Coordinator for the FSA and she told me: "Releasing this protected ground to allow haying and grazing will help livestock producers maintain their current herds," said Johnson. Emergency grazing in approved counties is allowed through September 30, 2014. All livestock must be removed at the end of the grazing period or when the minimum average height reaches 5 inches. Producers without livestock may rent or lease the grazing privileges.

 

CRP participants in approved counties shall contact their local FSA county office to request emergency haying or grazing on an individual contract basis prior to haying or grazing. Participants will work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to develop a forage management plan. If the CRP cover is destroyed, the practice must be reestablished at their own expense to remain in compliance with the CRP contract.

 

As a reminder, with the signing of the Agricultural Act of 2014 on February 7, 2014, emergency haying and grazing may be conducted without any reduction in the annual rental payment to CRP participants.