USDA is providing flexibility for harvesting of cover crops on prevented plant acres in parts of North Dakota and South Dakota. USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey says they will allow haying and grazing of those acres in certain counties prior to November 1.

He says producers can hay, graze or chop cover crops in 19 counties in South Dakota and 23 in North Dakota.

The Farm Service Agency has pegged prevented plant acres in North Dakota at 2.57 million and in South Dakota at 1.24 million. Northey says the flexibility will be helpful to farmers in those areas, many of whom have struggled with two years of disastrous crops.

South Dakota Senator John Thune says although they were hoping for the announcement in June, it will give some producers relief during unprecedented environmental and economic circumstances. He says they will continue to work on a permanent solution

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