MONROE - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging local farmers to review their conservation compliance plans for the 2011 crop year.
Conservation compliance is still required for USDA programs and good planning starts now.
The Food Security Act of 1985 requires persons to be using an acceptable conservation system to produce agricultural commodities which on highly erodible land (HEL) in order to continue to be eligible for USDA substantial program benefits, which include farm loan programs and disaster assistance, as well as commodity price support programs available through USDA. Farmers also must be diligent to prevent ephemeral gully erosion in order to maintain program eligibility. Many current conservation systems include residue management, no-till planting systems, contour strips, grassed waterways, rotations with small grains such as oats, rotations with alfalfa and winter cover crops like wheat, and winter cover crops can be especially important to soil conservation after corn silage is taken. NRCS urges land owners to continue to be diligent and watchful in controlling erosion on their farm, which will ensure productive healthy soils for future generations.
In addition, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) program participants need to be alert to the possible compliance issues associated with so called "vertical tillage."
While the efficiency of these types of implements is not in question, the minimal ground disturbance they create in the upper 1 to 3 inches is. The result is increased soil erosion. It is important to note that no-till systems rely on well developed soil structure that Mother Nature creates over several years.
Any person can complete a whistleblower complaint with a local USDA office if they believe a USDA participant is not following a conservation system on their land. The complaint can be anonymous.
For more information or inquiries, contact NRCS and the Department of Land Conservation staff at (608) 325-4195, ext. 3, visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov, or contact the Monroe NRCS office at the USDA Service Center, Fourth Avenue West, Monroe.
Conservation compliance is still required for USDA programs and good planning starts now.
The Food Security Act of 1985 requires persons to be using an acceptable conservation system to produce agricultural commodities which on highly erodible land (HEL) in order to continue to be eligible for USDA substantial program benefits, which include farm loan programs and disaster assistance, as well as commodity price support programs available through USDA. Farmers also must be diligent to prevent ephemeral gully erosion in order to maintain program eligibility. Many current conservation systems include residue management, no-till planting systems, contour strips, grassed waterways, rotations with small grains such as oats, rotations with alfalfa and winter cover crops like wheat, and winter cover crops can be especially important to soil conservation after corn silage is taken. NRCS urges land owners to continue to be diligent and watchful in controlling erosion on their farm, which will ensure productive healthy soils for future generations.
In addition, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) program participants need to be alert to the possible compliance issues associated with so called "vertical tillage."
While the efficiency of these types of implements is not in question, the minimal ground disturbance they create in the upper 1 to 3 inches is. The result is increased soil erosion. It is important to note that no-till systems rely on well developed soil structure that Mother Nature creates over several years.
Any person can complete a whistleblower complaint with a local USDA office if they believe a USDA participant is not following a conservation system on their land. The complaint can be anonymous.
For more information or inquiries, contact NRCS and the Department of Land Conservation staff at (608) 325-4195, ext. 3, visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov, or contact the Monroe NRCS office at the USDA Service Center, Fourth Avenue West, Monroe.