Livestock Farmers Impacted by Drought Can Request Conservation Reserve Program Acres

Saturday, August 21st, 2021 -- 9:01 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) Livestock farmers who are impacted by drought can now request haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program acres in certain Wisconsin counties, while still receiving their full rental payment for the land.

According to the Wisconsin Ag Connection, Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux says drought is heavily impacting livestock producers in Wisconsin and across the country, and emergency haying or grazing of lands enrolled in CRP is one more drought mitigation tool to help them.

Outside of the primary nesting season, emergency haying and grazing of CRP acres may be authorized to provide relief to livestock producers in areas affected by a severe drought or similar natural disaster. The primary nesting season for Wisconsin ended August 1.

Counties are approved for emergency haying and grazing due to drought conditions on a county-by-county basis when a county is designated as level D2 Drought on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Producers can use the CRP acreage under the emergency grazing provisions for their livestock or may grant another livestock producer use of the CRP acreage.

Producers interested in emergency haying or grazing of CRP acres must notify their FSA county office before starting any activities. This includes producers accessing CRP acres held by someone else.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.