When beginning your contract with the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), you may have questions regarding which types of farming practices are best suited for maximizing the benefits of the program. Through the Clean Lakes, Estuaries and Rivers (CLEAR) Initiative established by the CRP, CP-43 Prairie Strips is a new project designed to assist you with …
Why Choose Prairie Strips Over Traditional Strip Designs? Read More »
One of the most important benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the improvement of water quality in farmlands participating in the program. While traditional agricultural practices can damage our country’s water supply by the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals, CRP has been shown to improve water quality through numerous research and …
Specific rules apply regarding harvesting the hay from, or allowing grazing on, land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The clearest way to assess the rules is to first identify whether conditions are considered ordinary or drought. Both haying and grazing may be permitted for one of two reasons: To improve the quality or …
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is well known for its wildlife habitat preservation, but one of the most vital species the program protects is the honey bee. For decades, the honey bee population has been in decline due to disease, pesticides, lack of sufficient nutrients, and reduced natural habitat. Through essential projects such as the …
Chemical carryover caused by some new herbicides has become an increasingly frequent and potentially expensive problem for new CRP participants. If you used herbicide on the previous years’ crops, it may affect when you can plant your new CRP project. Some crop herbicides available on the market today have longer and longer carryover rates—sometimes 18 …
Row Crop Chemical Carryover – what you need to know when planting CRP Read More »
The United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency oversees several voluntary conservation-related programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program. In the past, farmers have joked the CRP, “pays farmers not to farm”. But the truth is the work the farmers do with CRP has far reaching benefits. Programs like CRP work to address a large …
How does the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Work? Read More »
Congress created CRP in 1985 following increased concern over unacceptably high levels of soil erosion as well as other environmental concerns. The 1985 Farm Bill authorized USDA to enroll up to 45 million acres in CRP. By idling environmentally sensitive lands, the Conservation Reserve Program provides substantial conservation benefits by improving water quality, protecting soil, …
5 Conservation Benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Read More »
Honeybees have long been the dominant pollinator in North America. Today, roughly 80% of crop pollination is performed by honeybees, with some crops relying almost exclusively on this non-native species. Due the massive decline in honeybees caused by colony collapse disorder, many are looking towards other pollinators to pick up the slack. The question is are other pollinator species as effective as …
The world is facing a soil crisis, and the US is no exception. More than 50% of America’s topsoil has eroded away. If this continues, we could run out of usable solid in as little as 60 years. Since it takes 500 years to form just 1 inch of topsoil, we don’t have any choice but to protect …
The agriculture industry faces a number of growing challenges. The loss of pollinators and pollinator habitat is making it difficult to grow certain crops. Intensifying scrutiny is being placed on emissions and water pollution caused by farmers. An increasingly global economy causes unexpected demands and market price shifts. The list goes on. But there’s one problem that poses a bigger threat any other: the loss of healthy soil. …