The USDA has announced that producers voluntarily may have their conservation reserve program (CRP) contract modified to utilize certain land enrolled in CRP for critical feed use, including haying or grazing.

“The critical feed use modification to the CRP contract will limit the scope, frequency and duration of haying and grazing,” says Dwight Aakre, North Dakota State University Extension Service farm management specialist. “Haying or grazing under this program is not permitted during the primary bird-nesting or brood-rearing season.”

In North Dakota, this season runs from April 15 through Aug. 1. For South Dakota, the restricted season is May 1 through Aug. 1. For the northern half of Minnesota, it is May 15 through Aug. 1.

No more than 50 percent of the eligible CRP acreage may be hayed. Grazing can be conducted at 75 percent of the Natural Resources Conservation Service recommended stocking rate on all of the eligible acres or, alternatively, at 100 percent of the stocking rate on 75 percent of the eligible acres.

All haying and grazing activity and removal of hay must be completed by Nov. 10. County Farm Service Agency offices began scheduling appointments June 2 for those who want to participate. Producers wishing to participate also must obtain a modified conservation plan for haying and grazing management.

“Haying and grazing CRP land under the critical feed use program will not result in a reduction in the 2008 CRP rental payment,” Aakre says. “However, producers will be required to pay a fee of $75 for the modification of their CRP contract.”

NDSU Agriculture Communication