Moran Convinces USDA to Extend CRP Sign-up Deadline

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jerry Moran today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the April 14 sign-up deadline for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts that are set to expire in 2007. Moran received verification today that USDA will be extending the re-enrollment, extension and general sign-up deadline by two weeks.  

"Extension of this deadline is critical to allow producers to make informed decisions," Moran said. "The availability of haying and grazing practices is important to Kansas producers and can strongly influence decisions to extend or re-enroll CRP contracts."

Moran asked USDA for this extension when misinterpretation of controlled burning and managed haying and grazing regulations, as well as other last hour rule clarifications, caused confusion and concern among Kansas producers. At Moran's request the issues are being corrected, but information was not going to be available to producers in sufficient time before the April 14 sign-up deadline.

Producers should contact their local Farm Service Agency office for more information.

###