PROMO 660 x 440 Agriculture USDA Service Center Update

USDA Update – September 25, 2024

Eads USDA Service Center Staff

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

CRP Contract Management – grazing approved
Fall Acreage Reporting Deadline - November 15, 2024
Non-Insurable Assistance Program Application for Coverage Deadline – grass for grazing– December 1, 2024

Disclaimer: Information in this UPDATE is pertinent to Kiowa County FSA only. Producers reading this and that do not have FSA interest in Kiowa County are advised to contact their local FSA Office.

THE USDA SERVICE CENTER HAS A DROP BOX AVAILABLE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BUILDING

CRP CONTRACT MANAGEMENT - GRAZING APPROVED

For producers that have active CRP contracts; the much-awaited approval allowing grazing as a contract management has been received by FSA. It is a requirement that a CRP participant complete a contract management before the end of year 6 for 10-year contract.

NOTE: Contract management is not required on Grassland CRP contracts.

Below are few specifics regarding grazing as a contract management.

Grazing as a contract management is not subject to a payment reduction.
The earliest that grazing can commence is October 1^st.
No grazing during primary nesting season – March 15 to July 15 annually.
A grazing plan must be obtained from NRCS.
It is the producer’s responsibility to ensure conservation of the permanent cover. NRCS can plan for 90 days of grazing but if the producer notices that the field is being overgrazed by day 60 then the producer is responsible for pulling the livestock to prevent damage of the permanent cover.

Below is a list of all approved contract management activities. NOTE: There is no authorized cost share from FSA for any contract management activity.

Interseeding – improve plant composition by mechanically seeding additional species to the promote stand diversity. Established grass stands are only eligible, this cannot be used to bring a contract into compliance. All acres must be interseeded.

Residue Management - improve plant composition by placing residue in contact with the soil surface and slice the root mass to reinvigorate growth in order to promote stand diversity.

Light tillage – Tillage depths should not exceed 2-4 inches and be performed perpendicular to the prevailing winds in strips. Site conditions and equipment utilized may have varying results in trying to achieve desired habitat conditions.

Permitted methods includes but are not limited to;

Harrowing – must be approved by NRCS Resource Team Leader prior to applying. NOTE: Harrowing is only allowed on grasses less than 8 inches tall. 100 percent of the field may be harrowed in a single fiscal year.
Strip tillage - no less than 50 percent of a field may be completed in a fiscal year when strip tillage is used. If 50 percent or more is strip tilled throughout the contract, the management activity will be considered complete with all the acres having an activity completed.
Block tillage - no more than 60 percent of a field may be done during a fiscal year. The remainder of the field will be done in a subsequent year or by using another type of activity.

The important item to remember with contract management is that there is always going to be paperwork. Before starting any contract management activity, contact the FSA office to ensure the required paperwork is in order.