Farm Service Agency Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment Period Ends on Feb. 26

Farmers and ranchers are reminded that the general enrollment period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) began Dec. 1, 2015, and ends Feb. 26, 2016. In Phillips County the soil rental rates have increased from our previous CRP signup. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years. In return for establishing long-term, resource conserving cover, FSA bases rental rates on the productivity of the soil in each county. The rental rates in Phillips County range from $27.00 to $41.00 per acre. Rental rates are calculated using the top three predominate soils in a specific field. To be eligible for CRP general enrollment, land must be cropland (including field margins) that is planted, or considered planted to an agriculture commodity four of the six crop years from 2008 to 2013 and be physically and legally capable of being planted. If you would like to find out what your cropland is valued at please contact the Phillips County Office as soon as possible. Office staff will need you to identify the farm, tract and field to begin the CRP bidding process. Staff will work with you to calculate the maximum CRP rental rate for your particular field. Producers may offer land below the rate to increase the likelihood that their offer will be accepted into the conservation reserve program. Managed Harvesting (Previously referred to as managed haying) frequency is authorized one out of every three years after the cover is established. The managed harvesting frequency of one out of every three years will begin with CRP contracts effective after 12/15/2015. Routine Grazing frequency is authorized one out of every two years (every other year). 100% of the acreage may be grazed in one year. The frequency is for new CRP contracts. CRP participants with contracts approved before and after July 28, 2010, who wish to switch from managed grazing to routine grazing, may do so by modifying their existing conservation plan of operations to permit the routine grazing frequency.