02/06/07 USDA plans for CRP and CSP

Farm and Ranch February 6, 2007 The demand for corn for ethanol production may put a crimp on enrolling more land in the Conservation Reserve Program through general sign ups. Here's what Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns told reporters Monday as he detailed the Bush Administration's proposed USDA budget for fiscal 2008. Johanns: "No general sign ups are assumed in 07 and 08 due to the increase in corn production needed to meet the demand for ethanol." And when it comes to the Conservation Security Program, CSP, Johanns says USDA is only proposing funding to maintain existing CSP contracts. Johanns: "No new CSP enrollments will be offered in 07 or 08." USDA is proposing maintaining funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program at one-billion dollars in 2008. The Wetlands Reserve Program would receive over 455 million dollars, an increase of 191 million over fiscal 2007. The projected enrollment in the WRP for 2008 would bring total acreage in the program up to the maximum authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill. Although USDA last week unveiled its proposal for the 2007 Farm Bill, its proposed 2008 budget was based on the assumption of continuing the 2002 Farm Bill. Total proposed USDA spending for 2008 would be about 89 billion dollars, which is approximately the same level as 2007. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.