There’s no question that CRP is a long-term commitment, with contracts lasting 10-15 years. This timeframe is necessary for the restorative measures of CRP to take effect. Still, as far out as it might seem, there will come a day when your CRP contract reaches its end. The question at this point becomes what will you do now? To continue generating profit from the […]
Should You Return to Crop Production After CRP? Read More »
With one–third of the US’s farmers over the age of 65, a lot of farmland will likely be changing hands throughout the next decade. In many cases, this farmland will be passed on to another member (or members) of the farmer’s family. Farmland is generally a very valuable asset. Not only is the land itself worth money, but it’s capable of generating on-going revenue should you continue to farm
What to Do with Inherited Farmland Read More »
Hunting and conservationism are often shown to be at odds with one another. Stories of trophy hunters traveling around the world to hunt endangered species are regularly shared on news and social platforms. However, trophy hunters are not a proper representation of the North American hunting community. The large majority of hunters are licensed and law-abiding people who target local wildlife that have healthy populations. They hunt for food, general sport, and in cases, land/livestock protection. These hunters tend
The Relationship Between Hunters and Conservation Read More »
Since launching with the 1985 Farm Bill, the Conservation Reserve Program has set out to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and restore wildlife habitat. It does so by paying farmers and landowners to take marginal farmland out of active production. In place of traditional farm crops, which can deplete soil health and fertility overtime, farmers establish
The Impact of the Conservation Reserve Program Read More »
Looking to enroll or just recently enrolled land in CRP? If you’re new to the program, it’s natural to have a few questions. The Conservation Reserve Program has a number of specific requirements that contract holders must follow, including what seed is used, how it’s planted, and how it’s maintained. Before you get too far along in
What Do I Need to Plant CRP? Read More »
Farmers have long employed various methods to disrupt soil, using sticks, hoes, ards, rakes, and plows to turn the ground and prepare farmland. This is process is known as tillage. Tillage serves a number of purposes including seed bed preparation, burying crop residue, leveling soil, spreading nutrients, mixing in fertilizer, and activating pesticides. It’s also very helpful with
The Effects of Tilling on Soil Read More »
Growing the same crops in the same spot year after year can take a toll on soil, depleting it of certain nutrients and leaving it unbalanced. As the soil’s health decreases, water runoff and erosion increases, damaging the soil further. Ultimately, this results in weaker crop yields. Farmers have long employed techniques to combat this. One of the more aggressive methods of keeping soil balanced
CRP vs. Crop Rotation – What’s Best for My Land? Read More »
In 1929, the United States stock market crashed, kickstarting a decade long period known as the Great Depression. The exact causes for this crash are heavily debated to this day, though common factors typically include overproduction of crop and industrial materials, overpricing of stock values, and easy credit/loan practices. Farmers were already in a tough spot leading
How Soil Erosion and Farming Practices Lead to the Dust Bowl Read More »
This past month, we’ve been examining the effects that agriculture and the environment can have on each other. While farming does immeasurable good for people around the world, certain modern practices can take a toll on soil, water supplies, animal habitat, carbon emissions, and more. Meanwhile, changes in the earth’s climate have caused disruption to the seasons and cycles that
How CRP Can Help Restore Balance to the Environment Read More »
Natural wildlands are good at caring for themselves (as long as they’re protected from outside dangers such as pollution, human-caused wildfires, etc). Wind, rain, animal grazing, and other events help maintain a balance. In grasslands, for example, these natural disturbances remove excess woody vegetation and allow flowering plants to reseed and thrive. While CRP aims to recreate natural habitat by establishing native CRP seed, it requires a more hands-on approach to stay on
Everything You Need to Know About Mid Contract Management for CRP Read More »
