By Andi Anderson
In response to severe drought conditions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in 79 Ohio counties.
This authorization allows livestock producers in affected areas to access much-needed resources to sustain their herds during challenging times. CRP participants in other Ohio counties can also donate haying and grazing rights to support livestock producers in drought-affected regions.
John Patterson, State Executive Director for the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Ohio, emphasized the need for this emergency relief.
“Drought conditions have created an urgent need for grazing and hay resources,” Patterson noted, encouraging CRP participants to contact their local FSA office for assistance in offering support.
The USDA has also waived certain restrictions on CRP lands under the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program, increasing the number of available acres.
Currently, the agency is exploring options to include CRP lands under the Ohio Lake Erie Watershed and Scioto River Watershed programs.
For CRP participants willing to donate their haying and grazing rights, USDA requires a modified conservation plan.
The livestock producer benefiting from the donation must also provide a Notice of Loss or written certification to be eligible. It is important to note that haying and grazing are not allowed if they risk long-term damage to vegetation.
CRP participants interested in non-emergency haying and grazing can also use their lands outside the primary nesting season (March 15 - July 15). Non-emergency use requires adherence to specific guidelines, including a limit on the number of grazing days and a requirement to leave a percentage of the land unharvested.
In addition to this authorization, USDA provides a range of programs to help farmers and livestock producers recover from drought impacts.
For more information on available assistance, producers can visit their local USDA Service Center or the official USDA website at farmers.gov, which offers resources like the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool and various fact sheets on disaster assistance and crop insurance.
These measures aim to assist Ohio’s livestock producers in weathering the drought’s effects, helping to stabilize their operations and ensure access to necessary resources.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Ohio, Livestock