FSA authorizes emergency grazing, haying on conservation reserves

DES MOINES — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Matt Russell on Monday announced that 46 Iowa Counties were authorized for emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land, with some stipulations.

CRP is an opt-in program for farmers, who can take their property out of production in exchange for rental payments from the state and federal government. A USDA fact sheet about the program said it helped to ensure “that environmentally sensitive agricultural land is not farmed or ranched, but instead devoted to conservation benefits.”

Monday’s exemptions move that goal to the back burner as producers and officials grow desperate to combat a statewide ongoing drought.

The 26 counties approved for emergency haying or livestock grazing count Henry, Louisa and Washington among their numbers. In those areas, approved landowners can use CRP property entirely for haying and grazing, as long as operations stay at least 20 feet from streams and water sources, according to Washington County FSA Director Julie Fitzpatrick.

Another list of 20 counties, which includes Jefferson and Keokuk counties, is restricted under Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) authorization. Fitzpatrick said that meant rules were tighter, limiting the practice to certain types of land, and using no more than 50% of the property, all of which must stay at least 120 feet from any water bodies.

CRP participants still need to get authorization from their local FSA office before they begin haying or grazing on any CRP property.

“It’s so we can track the records,” Fitzpatrick said. “That way we know that everyone’s following the policy and doing what they’re supposed to be doing, and people aren’t just taking advantage of the program.”

Applicants must pick which of the two purposes they’ll use the land for, they cannot apply for both, according to a USDA news release announcing the emergency measures.

According to the same news release, counties are automatically approved for emergency haying and grazing options when they reach the D2 (severe drought) level on the U.S. Drought Monitor after the “primary nesting season,” which ended Aug. 1. Counties can also apply for emergency approval when they document at least a 40% drop in foraging production, although Monday’s proclamation didn’t specify whether any have done so this year.

Fitzpatrick said animal grazing and hay production were already allowed on CRP land, but typically required land owners to reimburse 25% of the property’s state-paid rental revenue. That requirement is waived under the new emergency declaration.

The County FSA Director added that hay bales must be removed from CRP land by Sept. 10, while grazing has a broader window from Aug. 2 to Sept. 30.

The USDA said its list of approved counties may expand with time, given the ongoing trend of dry conditions this summer.

“The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated every Thursday and new counties may become eligible for emergency haying and grazing,” the news release said. “Participants in newly approved counties will need to sign up at their local FSA offices and get approval prior to completing any haying or grazing activity.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com