CRP managed hay and grazing begins

BOZEMAN — The 2010 Conservation Reserve Program managed haying and grazing start date is July 16, 2010, for all participants who have acres that are eligible to be hayed or grazed this year. Managed haying and grazing cannot begin until an application is completed at the local FSA County Office and written approval is received from the FSA County Committee or its designee.

CRP participants with conservation plans that included the managed haying and grazing provisions that applied after the National Wildlife Federation Settlement Agreement in 2006, are limited to grazing 1 in 5 years and haying 1 in 10 years with haying or grazing not allowed until August 2. CRP participants with the NWF rules will have the opportunity to modify their contracts to switch to the old Montana Rules, which allow managed grazing 1 in 3 years and managed haying 1 in 5 years. Under the Montana rules, haying and grazing could begin as early as July 16. All CRP contract participants must sign the conservation plan modification and receive written approval from the FSA County Office before any haying or grazing can begin.

To determine if acres are eligible to be hayed or grazed the county office will determine when the acres were last hayed or grazed. Grazing can only occur 1 in 3 years on the same acres. Haying can only occur 1 in 5 years on the same acres. The 50 percent that has to be set aside for wildlife may be hayed the following year.

The 2010 managed grazing period is limited to 60 days, July 16 through September 13.

The managed haying period is July 16 - September 30. Participants who want to modify their conservation plans should contact their local county FSA office.