Contact:

Trish Halstead

785-564-4757

Manhattan, Kansas, June 29, 2012---Adrian J. Polansky, State Executive Director of the Kansas Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced today that emergency grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage has been approved for Ellis, Graham, Lane, Trego, Osborne, Rooks and Wallace counties in Kansas.

"This authorization provides relief for many Kansas livestock producers who have suffered through severe drought conditions," said Polansky. "The drought has depleted hay supplies and affected the growth of hay and pasture in parts of Kansas. Many livestock producers cannot maintain their current herds without implementation of CRP emergency grazing."

Emergency grazing is allowed through September 30, 2012. Participants shall leave at least 25 percent of each field or contiguous CRP fields ungrazed for wildlife, or graze not more than 75 percent of the stocking rate. All livestock must be removed by the end of this grazing period.

CRP participants in approved counties shall contact the local FSA county office to request emergency grazing on an individual contract basis prior to grazing. Participants will work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop a forage management plan. If the CRP cover is destroyed, the practice must be re-established at their own expense to remain in compliance with the CRP contract.

Participants must also accept a 25 percent reduction in the annual rental payment for the acres actually grazed.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.