The Jasper County Farm Service Agency was notified late Thursday afternoon that Emergency Haying and Grazing of CRP acres are now authorized in the county due to the county reaching the D2 — Severe Drought Stage.
Those who chose to hay their CRP acres needed to have it completed Saturday. Producers must leave at a minimum 50 percent of the field unhayed for wildlife. In addition, only certain practices are eligible for haying. Paperwork must be completed no later than Friday for those producers who hayed their acres.
Emergency grazing will continue through Sept. 30. Producers must leave 25 percent of each field or contiguous field ungrazed for wildlife orR stock at only 75 percent of the stocking rate determined acceptable by NRCS. Only certain practices are eligible for grazing. You will need to complete the appropriate paperwork in the office before grazing any CRP acres.
There will be a 10 percent payment reduction on all acres hayed or grazed under these provisions.
In addition to Jasper County, there were several surrounding counties also authorized for Emergency Haying and Grazing, including but not limited to Poweshiek, Mahaska, Marion, Polk, and Dallas. If you have contracts with those counties, contact those individual offices for more information.
Contact the Jasper County FSA Office at (641) 792-5019 with any additional questions.