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NCBA to USDA: Nice Gesture, But Wrong Solution
Published Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 05:05 AM
According to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association - the plan to open certain CRP acres to haying and grazing is well-intentioned - but doesn't provide the right solution for cattle producers. NCBA does support managed haying and grazing of CRP acres during times of shortage - but only with a corresponding reduction in CRP payments. USDA's plan does not include a payment reduction - and without it - NCBA says producers raising or obtaining their hay and forage from non-CRP land are placed at an unfair disadvantage.

NCBA Director of Legislative Affairs Colin Woodall says the plan also fails to provide any significant, long-term relief for the dwindling supply of ag land and feed sources in the U.S. The window of opportunity - he says - is very limited - as livestock producers can't use the land for haying and grazing until the primary nesting season ends and must finish with any forage use by November 10. As a result - he says USDA's action doesn't result in much more than a nice gesture.

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