Dateline: April 6, 2006

NRCS program may pay for deferred grazing

Ranchers suffering from the effects of wildfires and drought may be eligible for incentives to defer grazing according to information released Monday

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) State Conservationist Larry D. Butler said his agency will be providing technical and financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to help landowners address erosion concerns and grazing land health in 16 Texas counties, including Donley.

“This action is in response to the severe wind erosion that is occurring due to continuing drought and the effects of wildfires in the area,” Butler said. “We want to provide assistance that will enable livestock producers to accelerate the recovery of the health and vigor of affected grazing land.”

Through EQIP, the NRCS is offering payments for deferment of all livestock grazing for one or two years. Applications are being accepted through April 14, 2006, and the EQIP funds will be used to supplement EQIP county-based funding and leverage other state and federal programs.

The incentive payments will be $5 per acre, per year, for one or two years. Applications will be ranked based on the severity of the need for erosion control through recovery of native and introduced grassland.

According to Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon), the payments will give a producer a way to minimize the effects of the ongoing drought on a ranch’s carrying capacity. 

“Some of these places are going to take a while to get back in shape to run cattle economically,” Thornberry said.  “It is sure something to look at to see if it fits your operation, especially in those areas where the fires have left nothing to cover the topsoil.”

Due to significant erosion that is occurring, potentially causing grazing lands health deterioration, land owners of these lands in the following counties are eligible to apply: Donley, Carson, Childress, Collingsworth, Cottle, Gray, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Moore, Roberts, Ochiltree, Oldham, Potter, Randall, and Wheeler.

In order to apply, landowners must visit the NRCS offices in the counties listed above to fill out an application, which will then be ranked; and those approved for funding will be offered an EQIP contract.

NRCS can also provide technical assistance to all agriculture producers through the development of a conservation plan, which includes drought management strategies.

When a drought plan is requested, conservation planners with the NRCS give the producer a complete assessment of their current management system and what changes may be needed to minimize the effects of the drought and provide continued protection of the natural resources.