Thune Urges USDA to Improve CRP

Press Release

Today Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) wrote U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting that USDA stop requiring the destruction of vegetative cover on certain CRP contracts at a cost to taxpayers.

"CRP holds a significant role in the success of South Dakota's agriculture and rural economies," said Thune, "which is why USDA needs to make the common-sense policy modifications I am requesting that would make CRP more attractive to participants and save taxpayers money. Not only does CRP provide an economic alternative to farming marginal land, CRP's hundreds of thousands of acres of habitat in South Dakota have enhanced the economies of small towns and rural areas by supporting our pheasant and wildlife populations."

In his letter, Thune wrote, "Mid-contract management, conducted once on a 10-year contract and twice on a 15-year contract, is critical for enhancing permanent vegetative cover quality and wildlife productivity on CRP acreages. And, for certain practices, requires CRP participants to destroy the residue by baling and stacking the residue and burning it. The logic behind burning this vegetative cover, which could instead be used for feed, is not only difficult for producers and others to understand, but the burning creates a safety risk as well."

Senator Thune inserted language in the 2014 Farm Bill Report language which provides, "The Managers encourage the Secretary to utilize options other than burning for the disposal of residue removed from CRP lands as well as lands enrolled in a conservation easement, for contract management and maintenance." At a May 7, 2014 Senate Agriculture Committee Farm Bill implementation hearing, Thune recommend to Secretary Vilsack that these changes to CRP policy be made.

Current USDA policy on CRP lands enrolled under certain continuous CRP signups does not allow participants to utilize the vegetative cover required to be removed under mid-contract management. Instead, CRP participants are paid to destroy this cover. As an alternative, Thune is recommending that in return for a 25 percent annual payment reduction, producers be allowed to use this residue or have no payment reduction if they choose to donate the residue to a third party. The haying and grazing would not be conducted during the primary nesting season and frequency would be according to midterm requirements established by state and national policy.

Thune's request is supported by the South Dakota State Farm Service Agency Committee, the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the State Technical Committee.

Source