For active agricultural operations like Henderson & Erickson Hog Farms, the goal is to devise the most profitable plan for their acreage. In the past, this usually meant tilling all acreage with the idea that idle land is not generating an income. With modern farm technology, however, large producers are learning that not all areas of the farm are productive and may, in fact, be costing profits or shortening the life of equipment. Fortunately for these farmers, programs like CRP and the Wisconsin CREP are available.

Henderson & Erickson operates in Emerald Township and runs upwards of 3,000 acres in several townships throughout St.Croix County. The owners have realized that many areas of their substantial farms are best suited to conservation and wildlife habitat rather than crop production that yields minimal success and low production.

Henderson & Erickson currently has acreage enrolled in both CRP and the Wisconsin CREP. Most recently, the operation placed 45 acres under CREP contract and plans to establish Riparian Buffers and Filter Strips in areas particularly important for water quality and wildlife. Most of the new CREP acreage is adjacent to Willow River, a stream classed as a cold-water trout fishery by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The CREP practices will provide above-ground filtration of herbicide run-off and soil particles and will act as a sponge to recharge and cool ground water before it enters the river.

In addition, the CREP acreage will provide ample nesting for waterfowl like teal and mallards that utilize the river as well as upland game birds such as pheasants and turkey. The acreage will also provide nesting and brood habitat for many resident and migratory songbirds which have been declining due to the lack of diverse grasslands in St.Croix County.

Under CRP contract, Henderson & Erickson has installed practice Permanent Native Grasses, including forbs, in areas adjacent to woodlands and in entire fields that have proved to be of low quality and abusive to equipment. These acres provide corridors that connect existing habitats for wildlife or produce grasslands of sufficient size to stand alone as habitat blocks for wildlife. The larger blocks also contribute to the protection and enhancement of ground water levels and soil rebuilding.

Thanks to programs like CRP and the Wisconsin CREP, large agricultural producers like Henderson & Erickson see the monetary benefit and take action that is good for them and for the environment.

Small parcel of CRP native grass mixture. It is on the North side of some woods and is in the first year of CRP.

This Wisconsin CREP contract acreage contains two small Farmable Wetlands Program practices. This is a special practice and is at the south end of a water way.

CRP contract acres devoted to native grass mixture abuts cropped field.