Lamar Hosting Workshop for Returning CRP to Production

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was established under Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 to control soil erosion and loss of productivity. The program has been credited with substantial reduction in wind and water erosion of marginal croplands. About 18.4 million acres of CRP contracts across the USA are expiring before 2012. Because of recent higher commodity prices, farmers have increased interest in returning CRP acres to production. In addition to high grain prices, another factor driving the conversion of CRP acres to crop or grazing land is the Federal budget deficit and its role in crafting the nation’s next multi-year agriculture spending bill this year. Southeast Colorado has 630,000 acres under contract. Over the next 4 years, 95 % of the contracts will expire.

Colorado State University Extension is offering a workshop addressing alternatives for returning CRP to production. These educational meetings focus on cropping and livestock options. Specialists from CSU Extension will discuss agronomy practices (tillage, weed control, fertility management), livestock strategies, farm management, and economics for different production options. Also, representatives from NRCS and FSA will provide information on wildlife habitat, the annual rental payment and cost-share assistance programs to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland.

The final workshop will be on March 24, 2011 in Lamar at the Prowers County Annex Mezzanine from 1:30 to 4:00 pm.

The workshop fee is $10 (single) or $15 (couple). If you would like to attend, please contact your local County Extension Office (Bent, Baca, Cheyenne, Crowley, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Lincoln, Otero, Prowers, and Pueblo) for more information and registration. You can also contact Wilma Trujillo, the Southeast Area Agronomist, at the Prowers County Extension Office (1001 S. Main Street, Lamar, CO. Tel: (719) 336-7734 or at wilma.trujillo@colostate.edu). Registration deadline is March 22.