10/02/07 No early release for CRP

Producers looking for an early release from CRP contracts finally got the word, but it wasn't exactly what they wanted to hear. CONNER "The US Department of Agriculture will not offer penalty-free early releases from Conservation Reserve Program contracts at this time." That is acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner. He says while the global wheat market remains very tight corn production is expected to be a record high and last week's grain stocks report indicated higher than expected stocks for corn and soybeans. Add to that more than two million CRP acres under existing contracts expired on Sunday. CONNER "Wheat, soybean, and corn markets are providing very strong incentives to plant more acreage. Throughout this year, the market focused on attracting corn acres, and to a lesser extent, wheat acres. Producers responded strongly." Conner says all indications point to significantly more wheat acres being planted this fall and next spring. He says there's a potential for increased double cropping and the planting of fallow ground. Conner also doesn't anticipate offering a general signup while grain stock levels remain historically low and prices continue at record highs. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott