Emergency haying, grazing available Aug. 2

DES MOINES —  Iowa Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director John R. Whitaker announced last week the emergency haying and grazing for all Iowa counties for certain practices enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), effective on Aug. 2.  

Haying activities must be completed by Aug. 31.  All livestock and hay must be removed by Sept. 30.

“This authorization will benefit those livestock producers who are struggling to find forage,” said Whitaker.  “Eligible producers must first contact their local FSA office to file a request.  It is also important for producers to obtain a modified conservation plan from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that includes haying/grazing requirement.”

Contact a local FSA office to determine if your seeding is eligible for this authorization.

Ineligible practices include those in a useful life easement, land within 120 feet of a stream or other permanent water body and practices such as waterways, filter strips, etc. Additional information on eligible practices is available in local FSA offices.  

Upon approval of emergency haying, producers must leave at least 50 percent of each field or contiguous CRP field unhayed. The same CRP acreage cannot be both hayed and grazed. 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.

A 10 percent reduction in the 2012 annual rental payment for CRP acres used for haying or grazing will apply on the acres that have been hayed or grazed. Eligible producers can use the CRP acreage for their livestock or grant another livestock producer use of the CRP acreage for the purpose of haying or grazing.  Hay that is baled may be given away or sold.  

For more information on FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program or other drought assistance, contact your local FSA office or visit FSA online at www.fsa.usda.gov/