Moran Encourages USDA to Release Emergency Haying and Grazing

Asks Secretary of Agriculture for Swift Action

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jerry Moran has asked Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to approve a Kansas State Farm Service Agency (FSA) request to have 45 western Kansas counties released for emergency haying and grazing. Moran has been working with state FSA officials in recent weeks to have this request approved. He also met with Secretary Johanns last week to share his support for immediate release of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in drought-stricken areas.  

"Producers in western Kansas are experiencing extreme conditions," Moran said. "They will have to begin dispersing portions of their herds if extra forage sources are not made available soon."

Last week, Bill Fuller, Kansas State FSA Executive Director, sent a letter to the FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations requesting that a block of 45 western Kansas counties be released for emergency CRP haying and grazing. The 45 counties contained in this request are in the midst of a five to six year drought. Lack of precipitation during the winter and spring has led to significant forage shortages. In addition to degraded pasture conditions, recent fires resulting from unseasonably dry foliage have further worsened the problem in some counties.

Moran is a senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture.

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