Nebraska recovery roundup: Emergency haying and grazing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres

Wildfires can create immediate forage shortages for livestock producers. One USDA tool that may help address these shortages is emergency haying and grazing authority on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres.

What is CRP?

CRP is a voluntary program that encourages agricultural producers and landowners to convert highly erodible and other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as native grasses, trees, and riparian buffers. In return, participants receive annual rental payments. During times of disaster, however, USDA may authorize emergency haying and grazing of CRP-enrolled acres to help livestock producers access additional forage.