In today's Des Moines Register, the date mentioned for Iowa is August 1.
Jane Clark


Subject: Press Release: Northey Praises Decision by USDA to Open CRP Acres 
for Livestock



For Immediate Release 
Contact: Dustin Vande Hoef
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 
515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616 (cell)

NORTHEY PRAISES DECISION BY USDA TO OPEN CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM ACRES 
FOR LIVESTOCK
Iowa Ag Sec. Confident Environmental Benefits can be Maintained

DES MOINES - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today praised the 
decision by USDA to open 24 million acres currently enrolled in the 
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to be available for hay and forage for 
livestock after the primary nesting season for grass-nesting birds.

"This decision benefits Iowa's livestock producers while maintaining the 
environmental benefits CRP has provided here in Iowa," Northey said.  "While 
the primary impact will be on cattlemen, this has the potential to replace 
some corn that can be used by other livestock producers.  There is no doubt 
that the higher prices for corn and soybeans have impacted Iowans raising 
livestock.  This action along with USDA's recent announcement they are going 
to be buying $50 million of pork for their child nutrition and other food 
assistance programs is offering real help to producers."

Producers interested in participating or learning more should contact their 
local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.

The press release from USDA announcing the decision follows here:

Link: http://www.usda.gov/2008/05/0137.xml

Release No. 0137.08
Contact:
Kerry Humphrey (202) 720-9733

USDA ANNOUNCES CRP PERMITTED USE FOR LIVESTOCK FEED NEEDS
Eligible CRP Acres Allowed to Hay and Graze; $1.2 Billion Forage Made 
Available

Washington, D.C., May 27, 2008 - Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today 
announced that USDA has authorized certain acreage enrolled under the 
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to be available for hay and forage after 
the primary nesting season ends for grass-nesting birds.

"This action will provide much needed feed and forage while maintaining the 
conservation benefits from the nation's premier conservation program," said 
Schafer. "Eligible farmers and ranchers will be able to plan for harvest of 
forage after the end of the primary nesting season this summer."

Prices for most field crops have advanced to record or near record levels in 
recent months, reflecting strong demand, tight supplies and competition for 
acres. The increased demand for commodities and resulting higher prices has 
impacted the livestock industry in particular.

More than 24 million acres of land enrolled in CRP will be eligible for this 
critical feed use program. USDA estimates that this program will make 
available up to 18 million tons of forage worth $1.2 billion.

"In authorizing this critical use of CRP acres for forage, USDA is also 
taking strong measures to preserve CRP's environmental benefits," said 
Schafer.

Eligible land may not be hayed or grazed until after the end of the primary 
nesting season. Also, some of the eligible land or forage of the land must 
be reserved for wildlife and any land that is used under this authority must 
have a conservation plan. In many instances, the removal of some of the 
grass cover will increase the diversity of the stand and provide long-term 
benefits for wildlife. Further, the most environmentally-sensitive land 
enrolled in CRP will not be eligible. The land will be subject to a site 
inspection to ensure compliance with the conservation plan. No rental 
payment reduction will be assessed on contracts being utilized for this 
critical use. However, a $75 fee will be charged to process the required 
contract modification.

Signup for interested CRP participants will begin June 2, 2008, at local 
Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. This modification for critical feed use 
is only for 2008. All forage use must be completed no later than November 
10, 2008.

Under CRP, farmers and ranchers enroll eligible land in 10- to 15-year 
contracts with USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). FSA administers 
CRP on behalf of CCC. Participants plant appropriate cover such as grasses 
and trees in crop fields and along streams. These plantings help prevent 
soil and nutrients from running into regional waterways and affecting water 
quality. The long-term vegetative cover also improves wildlife habitat and 
soil quality.

Additional details including Fact Sheets, Maps and statistics are available 
at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/conservation.

NOTE: Farm Service Agency (FSA) news releases are available on the Web at 
FSA's home page: http://www.fsa.usda.gov.


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