05/29/08 CRP hay, grazing signup

Some farmers wanted emergency haying and grazing. That's not what this is about. Some farmers want an early out on CRP contracts. That's not it either. SCHAFER "We are asking farmers and ranchers to be involved in this program to provide better and more stocks of hay and forage out there." That is Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer who says that landowners who have CRP contracts will be able to cut hay one time this year or graze animals once on that acreage after the nesting season. SCHAFER "We've talked to livestock producers. They're concerned. We think this is a way that we can provide some feed and forage for the livestock industry through the use of CRP acreage." Schafer says the program will begin next Monday, June 2nd and run through November 10th. He says producers interested in haying and grazing on CRP land should contact their local FSA office. SCHAFER "When you sign up on a local basis you have to have a conservation program in place or plan in place. As they look at that then decisions will be made as to when that actually haying or grazing can start." About 24 million acres of CRP land nationwide is involved in this program. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott