(KTNC) - Worsening drought conditions have prompted The U.S. Department of Agriculture to open large amounts of Conservation Reserve Program land for haying and grazing.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last week that the FSA State Committee could release counties designated as D-2 on the Drought Monitor for emergency use after the ending nesting date of July 15th. Vilsack also announced a reduction in the emergency haying and grazing payment reduction from 25-percent to 10-percent to help in drought response.
Nebraska State FSA Executive Director Dan Steinkruger says CRP land in two-thirds of the state is affected. (play audio :19)
Steinkruger says the approval will help offset deep losses in forage due to the drought. (play audio :19)
CRP participants need to file a request to graze or hay at their local county Farm Service Agency office.
Most of the counties affected are in the western part of the state. The only local county approved for emergency haying and grazing as of Tuesday is Pawnee County. A current map listing approved counties is available on the Nebraska FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/ne. The map will be updated as new counties qualify.
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