The U.S. Department of Agriculture has finalized a rule for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program or EQIP. That program is utilized by several cattle producers across the Northern Plains. Included in that rule is a provision making a soil health comprehensive management plan required. Nebraska Cattlemen Association President Ken Herz says the regulation looks positive and should be workable for producers.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service has the ability to implement the new rule incrementally rather than all at once. Herz says that’s a good move.
Herz says most cattle producers are very proactive about protecting the land and water on their operations and EQIP is a good program for them to participate in.
EQIP provides financial and technical help to producers who implement conservation practices that address issues like soil erosion, water quality and wildlife habitat. EQIP contracts generally run for five years but the new rule has these contracts spanning anywhere from 5 to 10 years.
