The Conservation Reserve Program Flexibility Act has been introduced in both the House and Senate this week. Senate co-sponsors are John Thune of South Dakota and Tina Smith of Minnesota. House co-sponsors are Dusty Johnson of South Dakota and Amy Craig of Minnesota. South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association President Eric Jennings says having the ability to emergency hay C-R-P acres before August 1 will help producers get the quality forage they’re in need of due to the drought.

He says being able to get the hay out while it’s still good quality has been the problem prior to this legislation as producers were prevented from accessing it until after August 1.

Jennings says West River South Dakota producers are having a tough time to find enough hay for their animals and have to travel a great distance to get it and then transport it back which can be quite costly.

Those wanting to emergency hay their C-R-P acres still need to work with the state technical committee prior to doing it.