UPDATE: Check out the updated spreadsheet from the Iowa Beef Center Drought Resources page to calculate the costs of using CRP forage (scroll down to Pricing & Financial Tools, then click on CRP Cost Calculator to determine forage cost when using emergency release of CRP ground (ISU).
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrolled acres may be a potential source of supplemental hay or acres for grazing livestock which producers might consider utilizing to alleviate short forage supplies due to drought. Wisconsin FSA has released a factsheet that summarizes 2012 FSA guidelines for both managed and emergency haying and grazing of CRP lands to assist producers with decisions related to use of CRP forages.
Managed use is authorized for one out of three years after CRP cover is fully established and a 25% payment reduction is assessed. Under managed use, there are no restrictions related to the acres allowed (within the 3 year eligibility guideline) and no restrictions placed on lease or sale of the forage harvested or grazed.
Emergency use is authorized by national or state FSA offices to provide relief to livestock producers in areas affected by severe drought or other disaster. CRP participants requesting emergency use will be assessed a 10% payment reduction, and there are limits to allowable acres and how much the forage is valued at.
All CRP forage harvest or grazing use must occur after the primary nesting season and be completed according to established FSA deadlines. Not all categories of CRP lands are eligible for grazing or haying, so producers considering either option must contact their local FSA office to determine eligibility of their CRP acres and request either managed or emergency use.
What nutritive value can we expect from CRP forages? Forage quality will be dependent on the forage species present (grasses and legumes), amount of weeds or brush, soil fertility levels, and amount of accumulated dead plant material. We can expect that forage quality will be significantly lower than hay harvested within usual recommended timeframes. Published data from Iowa and North Dakota reported CRP forage values of crude protein (CP) from < 7 – 10%, digestibility at 45 – 50%, and a relative feed value (RFV) around 100. Producers should sample CRP forages to identify what additional supplementation may be needed to balance livestock nutrient needs and also determine an appropriate time in the production cycle to utilize these lower quality forages. Producers purchasing CRP hay must consider the value of nutrients per ton in comparison to that of other feed resources available.
Under grazing conditions, animals can choose a slightly higher forage quality, but much CRP forage may be trampled or wasted as the animals search for the most nutritious bites. Use of temporary electric fencing to control grazing use would decrease selectivity and improve utilization when grazing CRP lands. Producers also will need to consider how to provide water and access when grazing CRP forages.
