Indiana Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Julia A. Wickard today announced additional drought relief for Indiana’s livestock producers. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack authorized the release of emergency haying and grazing for all Indiana counties for certain practices and acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) outside the primary nesting season for wildlife. This decision was based upon the U.S. Drought Monitor. “For Indiana, this means all 92 counties are released and just over 118,000 CRP acres on eligible practices,” stated Wickard. “There are more than 281,000 acres enrolled in CRP in the state of Indiana. However, some practices such as tree plantings or wildlife habitat may not be released because of wildlife considerations, she said.” CRP Practices eligible for Emergency Haying and Grazing are:
| Practice | Description | Approximate
Indiana Acres |
| CP1 | Permanent Introduced Grasses and Legumes | 30,261 |
| CP2 | Permanent Native Grasses | 26,091 |
| CP4B | Permanent Wildlife Habitat Corridors | 383 |
| CP4D | Permanent Wildlife Habitat | 11,845 |
| CP10 | Vegetative Cover (Grass Already Established) | 49,735 |
| CP18C | Permanent Salt Tolerant Vegetative Cover | 0.5 |
| CP 38 | SAFE CP25 Rare and Declining Habitat | 110.7 |
| TOTAL ACRES AVAILABLE | 118,426.2 |
The CRP emergency authorization for 2012 is effective for eligible contracts as the primary nesting seasons expire for applicable CRP contracts. A contract that was approved for enrollment prior to February 8, 2007 has a primary nesting season of March 1 through July 15th. A contract that was approved for enrollment on or after February 8, 2007 has a primary nesting season of April 1 through August 1st.
All haying under emergency provisions must be completed by August 31st; while grazing must end September 30th. Authorized producers can use the CRP acreage for their own livestock or may grant another livestock producer use of the CRP acreage. Hay that is baled may be given away or sold. The eligible CRP acreage is limited to acres located within the approved county. Producers must also obtain a modified conservation plan from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that outlines permitted haying or grazing practices. There will be a 10 percent annual payment reduction for CRP acres used for grazing under these emergency provisions, which was reduced from 25 percent recently by Secretary Vilsack. The selling of hay and the payment reduction is for 2012 only due to the drought conditions. “Given the widespread nature of this drought in Indiana, forage for livestock is already substantially reduced. These specific CRP acres will assist our Hoosier farmers who raise livestock”, said Wickard. Wickard reminds producers that they should check with their local FSA office for clear guidance on what CRP practices are eligible.
Additional information is available at www.fsa.usda.gov or you can visit the Indiana FSA Drought page at www.fsa.usda.gov/in for more Indiana drought-related information.
Source: Indiana FSA