Anna Boecker, County Executive Director for the Tama County Iowa Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced late last week that additional practices have been authorized for emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage.
"The continued drought conditions has depleted hay supplies and affected the growth of hay and pasture across Iowa making additional authorizations necessary," said Boecker.
The additional practices that are now authorized include; CP8A; Grass Waterway; CP23: Wetland Restoration; CP23A: Wetland Restoration, non-floodplain; CP27: Farmable Wetland;CP28: Farmable Wetland Buffer; CP41: FWP Flooded Prairie Wetland; Practice CP25, Rare & Declining Habitat, which was previously released for emergency grazing is now authorized for emergency haying.
"Please contact our office to determine if your practice is eligible for this authorization. Ineligible practices include those in a useful life easement, land within 120 feet of a stream," added Boecker.
Upon approval of emergency haying, producers must leave at least 50 percent of each field or contiguous CRP field unhayed. The same CRP acreage cannot be both hayed and grazed. For example, if 50 percent of a field or contiguous field is hayed, the remaining unhayed 50 percent cannot be grazed; it must remain unhayed and ungrazed. Haying must be completed by August 31, 2012. All hay and livestock must be removed from CRP acreage by September 30, 2012.
A 10 percent reduction in the 2012 annual rental payment for CRP acres used for haying or grazing will apply on the acres that have been hayed or grazed. Eligible producers can use the CRP acreage for their own livestock or may grant another livestock producer use of the CRP acreage for the purpose of haying or grazing. Hay that is baled may be given away or sold.
For more information on FSA's Emergency Conservation Program or other drought assistance, contact the Tama County FSA office at 641-484-2701.
AMES? The Iowa State Fair, Aug. 9-19, is packed with rides, food vendors, entertainment, exhibits and other attractions. In addition, find Iowa State University Extension and Outreach all across the fairgrounds during the annual event.
Participate in the Scavenger Hunt: Pick up a passport to ISU Extension and Outreach at the information booth in the 4-H Exhibits Building and find each location on the fairgrounds. Write down the keyword from the location and return the passport for a chance to win an iPad.
4-H Events:Stop and check out all the 4-H project exhibits or watch one of the live events at the 4-H Exhibits Building. The Bratney Companies 4-H Robotics Challenge is Aug. 10-11 and the Cook This! 4-H Culinary Challenge is Aug. 12-14. Meet and chat with Iowa 4-H "legends" on Aug. 19.