ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 27, 2009

GOEHRING URGES DELEGATION AND USDA TO BACK CONTINUED CRP OPENING

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has asked North Dakota’s congressional delegation and USDA to support extending the emergency opening of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands to provide producers with short-term assistance as they work to restore damaged buildings, fences and equipment.

“Only a few days remain in the current CRP authorization,” Goehring said Monday. “When that expires, many producers utilizing CRP lands may not have a feasible alternative for relocating their livestock.”

The CRP emergency opening was originally authorized through April 15 and subsequently extended through April 30.

“Because of extenuating circumstances – lingering flooded pastures and extensive damage to buildings, fencing, roads, bridges and other infrastructure – we believe the additional emergency CRP authorization is necessary,” Goehring said. “We encourage the Farm Service Agency state office to canvass county emergency boards and re-evaluate counties with immediate needs for continued CRP authorization.”

Goehring thanked the delegation for their efforts to secure assistance for livestock producers, especially their lobbying the administration to quickly implement emergency livestock disaster programs contained in the 2008 Farm Bill.

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.