Emergency haying and grazing on conservation land

Michigan Farm Bureau recently reported the United States Department of Agriculture is allowing emergency haying and grazing on conservation land. Take a look a the release below. 

LANSING, AUG. 24, 2012 — While recent rains have some grain farmers hoping for a season just shy of abysmal, high feed prices still have livestock and dairy producers concerned about keeping their animals well fed and healthy. Accordingly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently cleared the way for farmers to make practical use of fields set aside as part of a widespread conservation program.

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Christine White last week authorized emergency haying and grazing on acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for all Michigan counties.

Farmers looking to harvest feed grasses from their CRP acres don't have much time to waste; the authorization for emergency haying ends Aug. 31, and all hay must be removed before Sept. 15. Emergency grazing extends through Sept. 30.

"It's not a big window of opportunity, but it's better than no opportunity at all," said Ernie Birchmeier, Michigan Farm Bureau's livestock and dairy specialist. "Farmers need to check in with their local FSA or Natural Resource Conservation Service office before cutting hay or turning out their animals on eligible acreage, and modify their conservation plan."

Only half of each hay field or contiguous field can be cut, and CRP acres cannot by hayed and grazed at the same time.

"Farmers need to know there are some small penalties for those who choose to take advantage of this," Birchmeier said. "But, because of the drought, the usual 25 percent penalty for haying or grazing on CRP land has been reduced to only 10 percent."

For more information or to request approval for emergency haying or grazing on CRP acres, farmers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office.