I understand that Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts may be hayed or grazed without obtaining approval of the Secretary. What is involved in ‘managed haying or grazing?
The 2002 farm bill changed the law to allow managed harvesting and grazing of a portion of contract acres each year. While the Secretary retains authority to release CRP for haying and grazing in emergency situations, managed haying and grazing offers an option for producers to utilize this resource without the need for an emergency use determination by the Secretary. Details include: • To participate, producers with existing contracts will need to modify their conservation plans; new conservation plans will include this option. • Acreage, including emergency authorizations, may not be hayed or grazed under managed provisions more than 1 out of every 3 years. • Contract holders may lease haying or grazing privileges to others. • Participants will be assessed a payment reduction commensurate with the economic value of the activity • Managed haying and grazing may not occur during the primary nesting season. • Certain enrollment practices are not eligible for haying and grazing including
