U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requesting swift action from the department to ensure livestock producers have additional emergency Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) haying options as the drought continues. The senators specifically asked for clarifications regarding emergency haying when the U.S. Drought Monitor designates D3 extreme drought conditions.
“Livestock producers in Minnesota and South Dakota are particularly concerned about certain Conservation Reserve Program acres that are eligible for emergency haying and grazing under D2 conditions but are ineligible when a county moves to D3 conditions,” the senators wrote. “When conditions on the ground worsen, producers already facing a shortage of hay and available grazing lands should be provided with more options—not fewer.”
Thune has been urging USDA to prioritize timely assistance for South Dakota producers affected by ongoing drought. Last month, Thune introducedlegislation that would improve USDA’s ability to allow for timely emergency CRP haying if certain conditions are met.
Full text of the letter below:
Zach Ducheneaux
Administrator, Farm Service Agency
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Administrator Ducheneaux:
We write in response to the significant concerns that we have heard from farmers and ranchers in our states about persistent drought conditions and the lack of flexibility on emergency haying when the U.S. Drought Monitor designates D3 extreme drought conditions. We urge you to prioritize quick action to ensure that livestock producers have more emergency options as drought conditions worsen.
Livestock producers in Minnesota and South Dakota are particularly concerned about certain Conservation Reserve Program acres that are eligible for emergency haying and grazing under D2 conditions but are ineligible when a county moves to D3 conditions. When conditions on the ground worsen, producers already facing a shortage of hay and available grazing lands should be provided with more options—not fewer.
Our understanding is that administrative policy changes were made earlier this year with respect to emergency haying of wetland restoration acres under D3 conditions. We respectfully request clarification about those changes, and we urge you to prioritize quick action to ensure that livestock producers have additional emergency options as drought conditions worsen. We look forward to working with you to ensure a quick recovery from the drought.