USDA Allows Haying of CRP Lovegrass, Bluestem, and Klein Grass With Approval

Lubbock’s Farm Service Agency says that haying of certain types of grass species are allowed with approval.

Conservation Reserve Program acres with Lovegrass, Bluestem, and Klein grass species can be hayed, as long as the acres will be converted to a native grass species cover, with approval from the organization.

Producers who want to request haying approval must make an appointment with the Lubbock County FSA office and with their local Natural Resources Conservation Service to update their conservation plan to include the new haying activity.

Cary Hanlin, executive director of the USDA FSA in Lubbock County said “It is important for producers to understand that this is not an extension of CRP emergency haying, this is a separate haying authorization.”

Haying of these grasses must be performed outside of the primary nesting and broodrearing season. Producers who receive authorization to hay will incur a 25 percent payment reduction from their annual rental payment unless the reduction is paid in advance. Also, producers who receive haying approval will not receive cost-share assistance, as haying is not considered a component of seedbed preparation.

For more information, contact the Lubbock County FSA office at 806-785-5644, extension 2.