CRP LAND: It’s in your hands

Many Contracts Set to Expire More than 1 million acres of CRP contracts are set to expire by October, 2009 More than 1 million acres of CRP contracts are set to expire by October, 2009 Some of these contracts may be renewed or extended Some of these contracts may be renewed or extended

Critical Decision Time Many options to weigh Many options to weigh Re-enroll into CRP Re-enroll into CRP Return to cropping Return to cropping Forage production Forage production Grazing land management Grazing land management Biomass production Biomass production

Things to Think About Will it really pay to farm my less productive ground? Will it really pay to farm my less productive ground? How can I best use the less productive areas? How can I best use the less productive areas? Do I know where the less productive soils are located on my farm? Do I know where the less productive soils are located on my farm?

What Is My Conservation Plan? Currently, land in CRP is planned as CRP. Currently, land in CRP is planned as CRP. Some of these plans are 10 to 20 years old.Some of these plans are 10 to 20 years old. Land brought back into production from CRP needs a revised conservation plan. Land brought back into production from CRP needs a revised conservation plan.

Don’t Forget About Compliance Whether leaving land in CRP or changing to a new land use, don’t forget about conservation planning and compliance. Whether leaving land in CRP or changing to a new land use, don’t forget about conservation planning and compliance.

Conservation Compliance is still alive and well! All federal farm program participants must be actively applying an acceptable conservation system. All federal farm program participants must be actively applying an acceptable conservation system. Must meet soil loss standards as established by the 1985 Farm Bill, as amended. Must meet soil loss standards as established by the 1985 Farm Bill, as amended. This is reflected in the conservation plan. This is reflected in the conservation plan.

Best to Plan to “T” Even though it is not a requirement, NRCS promotes applying systems with soil loss no greater than “T”. Even though it is not a requirement, NRCS promotes applying systems with soil loss no greater than “T”. In X County, “T” equals X/ton/acre/year. In X County, “T” equals X/ton/acre/year.

Alternative Conservation System An Alternative Conservation System (ACS) can be applied to all land expiring from CRP. An Alternative Conservation System (ACS) can be applied to all land expiring from CRP. This systems allows soil loss to exceed “T” or tolerable limits. This systems allows soil loss to exceed “T” or tolerable limits.

ACS Soil Loss Limits Since land enrolled in CRP maintains its cropland status certain soil loss limits apply: Since land enrolled in CRP maintains its cropland status certain soil loss limits apply: (List soil types and limits) (List soil types and limits)

Most Popular Producer Question Can I plant a Corn Soybean Rotation on my expiring CRP? Can I plant a Corn Soybean Rotation on my expiring CRP?

And the Answer Is….. YES! However, there are additional requirements that have to be met. However, there are additional requirements that have to be met.

Alternative Conservation System Soil loss based on a Corn Soybean crop rotation may include the following requirements: Soil loss based on a Corn Soybean crop rotation may include the following requirements: All No-till system. Fall anhydrous application is included as part of this system. All No-till system. Fall anhydrous application is included as part of this system. No Row Cultivation No Row Cultivation Contour Farming – Average 2% row grade Contour Farming – Average 2% row grade Grassed Field Borders Grassed Field Borders Ephemeral gully erosion controlled Ephemeral gully erosion controlled

Things to Consider….. Contour farming can be difficult to achieve. Contour farming can be difficult to achieve. End Rows exceeding 2% row grade are required to be seeded as grassed field borders. End Rows exceeding 2% row grade are required to be seeded as grassed field borders. Ephemeral gully erosion must be controlled. Ephemeral gully erosion must be controlled.

Grassed Field Border

Grassed Waterway

Before making your final decision, consider this…. Farming the more productive, less erosive soils and leaving the highly erodible soils in CRP or some type of permanent cover-- either as a grazing system or in forage production. Farming the more productive, less erosive soils and leaving the highly erodible soils in CRP or some type of permanent cover-- either as a grazing system or in forage production.

Help Is Available No matter your land use choice, technical and financial assistance is available from a variety of sources. No matter your land use choice, technical and financial assistance is available from a variety of sources.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) 50% cost share50% cost share Two (2) to ten (10) year contractsTwo (2) to ten (10) year contracts Single or multiple practicesSingle or multiple practices Can apply for EQIP in last year of CRP contractCan apply for EQIP in last year of CRP contract

EQIP continued Erosion control practices:  Terraces  Grade Stabilization structures  Water and Sediment control basins  Grassed Waterways

EQIP continued Grazing system practices Grazing system practices Interior fenceInterior fence Ponds for livestock waterPonds for livestock water PipelinePipeline TanksTanks Heavy Use ProtectionHeavy Use Protection SeedingSeeding $50,000 cost-share limit per contract$50,000 cost-share limit per contract

Iowa Financial Incentives Program 50% State cost-share funds 50% State cost-share funds For erosion control practices For erosion control practices $4000 cost-share limit per funded application in Appanoose County $4000 cost-share limit per funded application in Appanoose County

Low Interest Loan Program Apply at local SWCD office Apply at local SWCD office SWCD approves application SWCD approves application Minimum $5,000 loan amount Minimum $5,000 loan amount Loan can be combined with cost- share programs Loan can be combined with cost- share programs Current interest rate is 3% Current interest rate is 3%

Summary Still undecided? NRCS can provide you with some planning options. Still undecided? NRCS can provide you with some planning options. If not re-enrolling or extending CRP, schedule appointment with NRCS to revise your conservation plan! If not re-enrolling or extending CRP, schedule appointment with NRCS to revise your conservation plan!

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