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Grassley Pushes for Opening Option of Haying and Grazing on CRP

WASHINGTON — Senator Grassley today urged Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to allow haying and grazing on acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for as many acres as possible in Iowa.

Grassley said he’s responding to concerns from cattle producers about the shortage of hay and quality pasture land due to dry and hot weather conditions throughout Iowa.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has administrative authority to allow haying and grazing on CRP acres under certain circumstances.

“Farmers are getting hit hard by the hot weather.  One way we can provide a little relief is to allow cattle producers to hay or graze CRP acres in those counties that are experiencing drought conditions,” Grassley said.  “We all hope that this drought breaks soon but, in the meantime, opening CRP acres will help farmers feed their cattle.”

Click here for Grassley’s letter to Tom Vilsack.  The text of the letter is below.

July 12, 2012

Secretary Tom Vilsack
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20250

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

Over the past few weeks I have had a number of Iowans contact me regarding concern over the hot dry weather Iowa has been experiencing, and how those conditions have been tough on Iowa livestock.  As the former governor of Iowa you certainly understand the importance of livestock production to our state.  In addition, I’m sure you share my concern for Iowa livestock producers as they deal with these difficult weather conditions.

The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that much of Iowa is at D0, Abnormally Dry, or D1, Moderate drought conditions, and drought conditions have only intensified over the last couple weeks.  Cattle producers tell me they are having difficulty finding an adequate supply of hay, and many of their pastures are too dry to support their herds at this time.

The particular issue producers have been contacting me about is the ability of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to open up acres in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for emergency haying and grazing.  CRP is a crucial program to help safeguard some our most environmentally sensitive land.  It’s also key nesting habitat for a variety of bird species.  So it’s not without careful consideration of many factors that I request you use your administrative authority to release as many CRP acres as possible for emergency haying and grazing in Iowa.

I appreciate your consideration of my request.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or my staff.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
United States Senate

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