GRAZING EXTENSION TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED FORAGE

WASHINGTON D.C. (Sept. 7, 2000) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recently announced grazing extension will provide some cattle producers with much-needed forage, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said today.

In early August, NCBA sent a letter to USDA asking it to speedily announce whether it will extend emergency grazing on land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The USDA announced Wednesday that emergency grazing can continue through Nov. 30.

“Some cattle producers would have had to liquidate part of their herd without this grazing extension,” said Bryan Dierlam, associate director of legislative affairs for NCBA.   “USDA’s early announcement gives cattle producers more time to make informed business decisions.”

Extreme weather across the West and South prompted USDA to initially authorize emergency grazing on CRP land until Sept. 30.  The drought has persisted and producers asked for the extension because in some parts of the country, CRP land is the only viable pasture available, Dierlam said.

Land enrolled in the CRP program is indefinitely taken out of production.  The government in turn gives landowners determined amount of dollars each year.  During emergency grazing, the government reduces payments to landowners. 

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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the  trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.