Agricultural News
Emergency Haying of CRP Land Authorized in 25 Oklahoma Counties
Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:01:56 CDT
In response to extreme drought conditions, twenty-five counties in Oklahoma have been authorized for emergency haying of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres by USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). The counties are: Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Jefferson, Kiowa, Major, McCurtain, Roger Mills, Tillman, Washita, Woods and Woodward. Haying authorization will end on August 31, 2011.
"Eligible producers who are interested in emergency haying of CRP must request approval and obtain a modified conservation plan before haying eligible acreage," said Francie Tolle, Executive Director of Oklahoma Farm Service Agency.
Upon approval of emergency haying, producers must leave at least 50 percent of each field or contiguous field unhayed for wildlife. For those counties that are eligible for emergency haying and grazing, the same CRP acreage cannot be both hayed and/or grazed at the same time. For example, if 50 percent of a field or contiguous field is hayed, the remaining unhayed 50 percent cannot be grazed; it must remain unhayed and ungrazed for wildlife.
In addition, participants are limited to one hay cutting and are not permitted to sell any of the hay. There will be a 25 percent CRP payment reduction depending on the number of acres actually hayed.
To take advantage of the emergency haying provisions, authorized producers can use the CRP acreage for their own livestock or may grant another livestock producer use of the CRP acreage for the purpose of haying. All haying activity must be completed by August 31, 2011. Emergency grazing of CRP is also authorized in these counties upon request and approval by the local FSA county committee. Emergency grazing may begin upon approval and continue through September 30, 2011.
For more information and to request approval for emergency haying of CRP acres, contact your local FSA office. Or click here to visit the FSA online.
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