Illinois Opens CRP Acres for Emergency Grazing and Haying

Drought conditions and low hay supplies triggered the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to open Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to livestock producers in 89 Illinois counties. Now through Sept. 30, Illinois farmers can work with their FSA office to gain approval for haying and grazing. The process requires producers to create a modified conservation plan before using the land for feed.

While the action may help some operations supplement feed supplies, the forage they find there may not meet the usual standards for feed. According to Travis Meteer, University of Illinois commercial beef Extension educator, the hay located on CRP acres is generally poor quality. Producers will likely need to supplement it. He also noted Illinois farmers often have access to supplemental nutrition with corn silage, byproduct feeds and soybean hulls.

Read more about the action.