USDA Emergency Authorization helping livestock producers

In response to the severe and worsening drought causing Upper Midwest cattle producers to run out of hay for their herds, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that producers can now request haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land in 79 Minnesota counties. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorized the change on Wednesday, August 4.

The senators said that Minnesota counties are approved for emergency haying and grazing due to drought conditions on a county-by-county basis, when a county is designated as level “D2 Drought - Severe” (see map)

“The droughts across Minnesota have created incredibly difficult conditions for farmers and livestock producers,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “This announcement is a step in the right direction as we work to ensure the USDA’s policies meet the needs of Minnesota’s rural communities.”

“The severe drought in Minnesota is devastating for our cattle producers, who are running out of hay to feed their herds,” said Sen. Smith. “I am glad the USDA has authorized emergency haying and grazing of CRP land.” Producers interested in emergency haying or grazing of CRP acres must notify their FSA county office before starting any activities. This includes producers accessing CRP acres held by someone else. To maintain contract compliance, producers must have their conservation plan modified by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).