USDA Authorizes Use Of CRP Acreage For Emergency Haying

Following requests from Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester, and U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, the U.S. Department of Agriculture authorized the use of some Conservation Reserve Program acres for emergency haying and grazing.

“With extremely dry conditions persisting across the state, Montana ranchers are in dire need of forage for their herds,” Gianforte said. “USDA’s decision to allow for emergency haying and grazing on some CRP acres will greatly benefit our farmers and ranchers, and I urge them to go a step further and open up all of Montana’s participating CRP acreage to Montana ag producers.”

Following his disaster declaration on July 1, Gov. Gianforte urged USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to declare all counties throughout the state of Montana as primary natural disaster areas and allow for emergency haying and grazing on all of Montana’s participating CRP acreage.

During the last month, Daines and Tester and Rosendale also called on USDA to open CRP for emergency haying and grazing. Daines and Rosendale also joined the governor in requesting drought relief for all Montana counties.

“I am pleased to see the USDA listen to my request for this emergency assistance for our farmers and ranchers as we face extreme drought conditions. The USDA should not stop here. We need them to go farther and designate all Montana counties as primary natural disaster areas and provide farmers and ranchers additional resources and support,” Daines said.

“As Montana experiences historic drought conditions, the Montana agriculture community is hurting and in dire need of assistance. I am pleased the USDA is taking this commonsense step and opening CPR land for grazing,” Rosendale said. “I hope the USDA will continue to provide much needed relief by designating all Montana counties as natural disaster areas so Montana farmers and ranchers can access the critical aid they deserve.”