WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined his Senate colleagues introducing the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Flexibility Act. This bipartisan legislation will allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to approve expedited emergency haying of CRP acres in response to drought and other weather-related disaster events.
“In years of significant drought, not only must North Dakota producers contend with poor drought conditions, they are also forced to navigate inflexible CRP rules,” said Senator Cramer. "Barring haying of CRP acres before August in years of drought or forage scarcity is unrealistic. Our bill outlines the parameters in which emergency haying can occur, providing much-needed flexibility for producers during years of need.”
Under current law, emergency CRP haying is not allowed until after the primary nesting season, which ends August 1 in North Dakota. The bill would create flexibility for producers by allowing emergency haying when certain conditions are met and in consultation with the state technical committee.
Joining Senator Cramer are Senators John Thune (R-SD), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Hoeven (R-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).
Click here for bill text.