COLUMBUS Farmers suffering under abnormally dry to severe drought conditions may be able to expand haying and grazing options through Environmental Quality Incentives Program contracts or Wetlands Reserve Program easement areas, according to Terry J. Cosby, state conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
USDA has announced producers will be allowed to modify EQIP contracts to allow for grazing, livestock watering and other conservation activities to address drought conditions, and haying and grazing of WRP easement areas are authorized in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing are consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands.
For more information, visit www.oh.nrcs.usda.gov or visit the local NRCS office at the Seneca County Agriculture Center, 3140 S. SR 101, or call the local office at (419) 447-7073.
National drought information can also be found at www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=disaster_assistance.
