http://www.reuters.com/article/gc08/idUSWBT00905720080527
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Agriculture Department will open more than 24 million Conservation Reserve Program acres to haying and foraging to help the cattle industry cope with high feed costs, officials said on Tuesday.
"Feed prices are being driven up by energy costs, increased corn usage, yields that are out there," Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said in a call with reporters.
Schafer said conservation acres, which would become available only after the primary nesting season ends for grass-nesting birds, could yield up to 18 million tons of forage worth some $1.2 billion.
"It will significantly increase the amount of feed available to the livestock industry while still maintaining CRP's environmental benefits," Schafer said.
Under the Conservation Reserve Program, farmers receive an annual payment for planting grasses and trees in fields and along streams with the goal of reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and protecting habitat for fauna.
USDA has several other requirements for opening the land to grazing, including a conservation plan for any land used.
"No rental payment reduction will be assessed on contracts being utilized for this critical use. However, a $75 fee will be charged to process the required contract modification," the department said in a statement.
Sign-up for farmers with land in the CRP program will begin on June 2, USDA said. All forage must end by November 10.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Agriculture Department will open more than 24 million Conservation Reserve Program acres to haying and foraging to help the cattle industry cope with high feed costs, officials said on Tuesday.
"Feed prices are being driven up by energy costs, increased corn usage, yields that are out there," Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said in a call with reporters.
Schafer said conservation acres, which would become available only after the primary nesting season ends for grass-nesting birds, could yield up to 18 million tons of forage worth some $1.2 billion.
"It will significantly increase the amount of feed available to the livestock industry while still maintaining CRP's environmental benefits," Schafer said.
Under the Conservation Reserve Program, farmers receive an annual payment for planting grasses and trees in fields and along streams with the goal of reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and protecting habitat for fauna.
USDA has several other requirements for opening the land to grazing, including a conservation plan for any land used.
"No rental payment reduction will be assessed on contracts being utilized for this critical use. However, a $75 fee will be charged to process the required contract modification," the department said in a statement.
Sign-up for farmers with land in the CRP program will begin on June 2, USDA said. All forage must end by November 10.
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