USDA announced it has authorized 24 million acres currently under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to be available for hay and forage to feed livestock this summer to help producers cope with high feed prices and possible grain shortages. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer estimated this program will make up to 18 million tons of forage, worth $1.2 billion, available. Quick to address environmental concerns, Schafer said eligible land may not be hayed or grazed until after the end of the primary wildlife nesting season, which varies across the country but generally ends in late July or early August. All forage use must be completed by Nov. 10. He also said about 25 percent of the eligible land or forage from that land must be reserved for wildlife. In addition, any land that is used under this authority must have a conservation plan. Finally, the most environmentally sensitive land enrolled in the CRP — such as wetlands — will not be eligible. Prices for most field crops have advanced to record or near record levels in recent months, reflecting strong demand, tight supplies and competition for acres. The higher prices have impacted the livestock industry in particular, Schafer noted. Farmers and ranchers with CRP acreage can begin sign-up for the program June 2. They will be charged $75 for processing but will not be assessed any rental payment reduction for haying or grazing the land. The program does not, however, allow growers an early out from their CRP contracts to grow grain on that land. Schafer repeated on a conference call with reporters that growers are not allowed to take acres out of the CRP before their existing contracts expire without penalty during the 2008 crop year. CRP contracts are typically 10 to 15 years long.
By Janie Gabbett on 5/28/2008 for Meatingplace.com
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) said it opposes USDA's plan to open certain Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to haying and grazing. (See USDA opens 24 million acres to livestock feed use on Meatingplace.com, May 28, 2008.) NCBA supports managed haying and grazing of CRP acres during times of a shortage for hay and livestock forage due to drought or other emergency conditions, but only with a corresponding reduction in CRP payments. USDA's plan does not require a payment reduction in areas where these additional uses will be allowed. Without such a reduction, livestock producers raising or obtaining their hay and forage from non-CRP land are placed at an unfair disadvantage, NCBA said in a statement. "Any CRP relief plan must maintain a level playing field for all farmers and ranchers, and put land back into production in a meaningful way," said Colin Woodall, NCBA executive director of legislative affairs. In addition to the competitive disadvantages created under USDA's plan, Woodall says it also fails to provide any significant, long-term relief for the nation's dwindling supply of agricultural land and feed sources.
By Janie Gabbett on 5/29/2008 for Meatingplace.com