The Woodward News

Local News

July 30, 2012

Emergency ruling gives producers another option for hay

Gary Engel Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — Due to persistent excessive heat and lack of rain, the USDA has approved an emergency order allowing for immediate use of crop reserve program (CRP) grass.

Woodward USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Bowdy Peach said producers can either graze or cut the growth on their CRP acreage after they sign up for permission from the program.

"Normally, the grass is cut or grazed for one out of 3 years," he said, meaning that the fodder couldn't be baled or grazed for consecutive years under the terms of the CRP, if conditions were normal.

"But under the emergency order, the grass can be utilized for 2 years in a row," Peach said.

There is a fee for using the CRP grasses. Peach said it is 10 percent of the rental rate that is paid to the CRP.

If farmers are haying their CRP acreage, the cutting must be completed by Aug. 30, Peach said.

"If they are grazing it, cows have to be off it by Sept. 30," he said.

Peach said local producers need to come by the FSA office in Woodward, at 3300 Oklahoma Ave., Suite 700, to register for the emergency use of CRP grass.

For more information, Peach said producers can come by the office or call him at (580) 256-7882, ext. 2.

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