USDA Responds to Huelskamp's Request for Additional Drought Relief
August 1, 2012
USDA Responds to Huelskamp's Request for Additional Drought Relief
(WASHINGTON) – On July 19, 2012, Kansas Congressman Tim Huelskamp sent a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting that the haying restriction on CP-25 lands (Rare and Declining Habitat) be lifted in order to ease the effects of the drought, which at the time was severe or worse in 91 of Kansas' 105 counties. On August 1, 2012, Secretary Vilsack announced that USDA would allowing haying on previously-restricted acres, including CP-25 land, in areas designated as having D0 drought or worse according to the USDA Drought Monitor's report on July 19 (all of Kansas is rated as D2-D4 drought level, severe or worse). Those seeking to hay their land must obtain a revised conservation plan from their local NRCS office, may only cut once, may only cut half their field, and must have the haying completed by August 31.
Read Congressman Huelskamp's initial letter here and read the announcement from the USDA here.
"I am pleased that Secretary Vilsack responded to the pleas of Kansans and opened this additional land for haying," Congressman Huelskamp said. "Roughly 45 percent of all CP-25 acres are in Kansas, and those acres make up about 25 percent of all CRP acres in our state, so this will provide some much needed relief for our farmers and ranchers. The drought is not getting any better, and I am pleased that USDA is responding."
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