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Emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres is available in Gage County in response to ongoing drought conditions. CRP contract holders who would like to use this option must contact the Gage County FSA office prior to conducting any haying or grazing activity and receive written approval.
There are some restrictions to CRP emergency haying and grazing.
EMERGENCY GRAZING
CRP emergency grazing is eligible on all practices and at 100 percent of contract acreage. Grazing duration can be utilized for up to 90 consecutive days or a total of 90 days before or after the Primary Nesting Season (if the county is still eligible for emergency grazing at that time). Grazing must be stopped when the minimum grazing height is reached, as established within the CRP conservation plan for the acres.
EMERGENCY HAYING
CRP emergency haying is eligible on all practices and at 100 percent of contract acreage, as long as the stand is in condition to support such activity. Haying is limited to one cutting and must be completed within 60 days from receiving the approved conservation plan modification to allow haying. Bales must be removed to ensure there is no long-term damage to cover.
OTHER PROVISIONS
- CRP emergency haying and grazing is not allowed during the Primary Nesting Season, which for Nebraska is May 1-July 15.
- If the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) triggers for implementation in the county, the provisions for CRP emergency haying and grazing change, with restrictions on grazing carrying capacity and restrictions on the practices which can be hayed. The county FSA office will be able to outline these changes for CRP contract holders.
- CRP acreage cannot be both hayed and grazed within a time period from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2022.
- CRP contract holders must specify the number of acres, and location of acres, to be hayed/grazed on a map.
- CRP acres must be considered fully established before haying or grazing under emergency provisions.
Producers can use the CRP acreage under the emergency grazing provisions for their own livestock or may grant another livestock producer use of the CRP acreage. Livestock producers accessing CRP acres held by someone other than themselves must notify the FSA county office prior to grazing. The eligible CRP acreage is limited to acres located within the approved county. There will be no CRP annual rental payment reduction for emergency haying and grazing authorizations.
All hayed and grazed acres are subject to FSA spot-check at any time during the authorization period.
It is important to contact your local FSA office prior to any haying or grazing activities on CRP acres to ensure your contract remains in compliance.
From more information, call the Gage County FSA office at (402) 223-3125.
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