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Walworth among 12 counties for emergency grazing

MADISON — In response to drought conditions in the state, the USDA Wisconsin Farm Service Agency has authorized emergency grazing us of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for 12 Wisconsin counties, including Walworth. The other counties are: Columbia, Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Racine, Rock, and Sauk.

Grazing is authorized according to an amended conservation plan obtained from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and approved by FSA.

"Eligible producers who are interested in emergency grazing of CRP must request approval from FSA before grazing eligible acreage," said Brad Pfaff, FSA executive director. "It is also important for producers to obtain a modified conservation plan from NRCS that includes grazing requirements."

Upon approval of emergency grazing, producers must leave at least 25 percent of CRP acres for wildlife or graze at 75 percent of the normal stocking rate. There will be a 10 percent CRP payment reduction on acres actually grazed.

To take advantage of the emergency grazing provisions, authorized producers can use the CRP acreage for their own livestock or may grant another livestock producer use of the CRP acreage for the purpose of grazing.

For more information and to request approval for emergency grazing of CRP acres contact the Walworth County FSA office at (262) 723-3216, ext. 2.