USDA Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them safeguard environmentally sensitive land. Producers enrolled in CRP establish long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat. In return, FSA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years.

The Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, authorized CRP. The program is also governed by regulations published in 7 CFR part 1410. The program is implemented by FSA on behalf of USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation.

Haying and grazing of CRP acreage is authorized under certain conditions to improve the quality and performance of the CRP cover or to provide emergency relief to livestock producers due to certain natural disasters. There are two types of haying and grazing authorization: managed and emergency.

Generally, CRP acreage may not be hayed or grazed during the Primary Nesting Season for certain wildlife established by state FSA committees in consultation with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Technical Committee.

Managed haying and grazing is authorized no more frequently than one out of every three years after the CRP cover is fully established. Managed haying and grazing may be available less frequently in a particular area depending upon local conditions, resource capacity, and the conservation goals of the program. Also, acreage either hayed or grazed under managed or emergency provisions in either of the previous two years is ineligible for managed haying or grazing in the current year.

Managed haying is authorized for a single period up to 90 days. Managed grazing is authorized for a single period up to 120 days or for two 60-day periods.

CRP participants requesting managed haying and grazing must file a request with their local FSA office indicating the acreage to be hayed or grazed before the activity begins.

CRP participants requesting managed haying and grazing are assessed a 25 percent payment reduction except when managed haying and grazing is conducted in an "emergency" area as discussed below.

Emergency haying and grazing of CRP acreage may be authorized to provide relief to livestock producers in areas affected by a severe drought or similar natural disaster.

Emergency authorization is provided by either a national FSA office authorization or by a state FSA committee determination utilizing the U.S. Drought Monitor.

After authorized by the national FSA office, county eligibility is based on a county FSA committee request documenting a 40 percent or greater loss in normal hay and pasture production and either:

Emergency haying or grazing is limited to the acreage physically located within the boundary of the eligible county or portion of a county. Under this authority, acreage will only be authorized for a specified time and may end earlier than announced if conditions improve.

County FSA committees may request emergency haying or grazing for all or part of a county from the state FSA committee using the U.S. Drought Monitor. The state FSA committee may approve emergency haying and grazing on a county-by-county basis if the county is designated as level ''D3 Drought-Extreme'' or ''D4-Exceptional'' according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The U.S. Drought Monitor is available online at: http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html

Under a state committee determination, emergency haying is authorized for a single period up to 60 days. Emergency grazing is authorized for a single period up to 120 days.

Acreage eligible for managed or emergency haying and grazing includes acreage devoted to the following practices: CP1, CP2, CP4B, CP4D, CP10, CP18B, and CP18C.

Acreage ineligible for managed or emergency haying and grazing includes acreage devoted to:

Before CRP acreage is declared eligible for haying or grazing, a modified conservation plan developed by NRCS or a technical service provider must be obtained. The modified conservation plan must be site specific, include the authorized duration, and reflect local wildlife needs and concerns. The primary purpose must be to maintain vegetative cover, minimize soil erosion, and protect water quality and wildlife habitat quality.

CRP participants requesting emergency or managed haying and grazing must file a request with their county FSA office indicating the acreage to be hayed or grazed before the activity begins.

The CRP-authorizing legislation requires a payment reduction to be assessed. For 2004, CRP participants are assessed a haying or grazing payment reduction of 25 payment, unless the acreage hayed or grazed is located within an area approved for emergency haying or grazing. In that case, the payment reduction is 10 percent.

Under managed or state committee-authorized haying or grazing, eligible acreage may be hayed for a single period of 90 days or grazed for a single period up to 120 days or for two 60-day periods.

Under national authority, acreage may be hayed or grazed for a specified announced period, which may end earlier if conditions improve.