BISMARCK, N.D. - Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has asked the federal government to allow livestock producers to use Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to hold cattle and sheep during calving and lambing season.
"High water levels from spring snow melt will adversely affect our livestock producers," Goehring said in a letter to Aaron Krauter, state director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). "Livestock facilities used for calving or lambing are especially vulnerable in years like this."
Goehring said excessively wet conditions make it especially difficult for producers to keep newborn livestock dry and warm which is essential in keeping them healthy.
"I am asking that you take the steps necessary to make CRP acres available for holding livestock during the critical calving and lambing season," Goehring wrote. "I would expect CRP would be needed for this purpose until at least May 15."
Goehring said livestock producers who need CRP acres for lambing or calving should contact their local FSA office and request the release.
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The CRP program was created to plant highly erodible land to vegetative cover, such native grasses and trees. Producers receive annual rental payments for the term of the multi-year contract. Cost sharing is provided to establish the vegetative cover practices. The program is funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation and administered by FSA.
North Dakota ranks fourth in CRP participation with 2.6 million acres enrolled in the program.
