RELEASED WEEK OF AUGUST 18, 1997
University Extension Center
Courthouse Room 201
Palmyra MO 63461
(573) 769-2177
Contact: Area Agronomist, Jimmy Smith

LIFE AFTER CRP

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program that offers annual rental payments to establish long-term conservation covers on eligible land. Basically, the program gives farmers an incentive to plant long-term covers on sensitive land to improve soil, water, and wildlife resources versus row cropping the land. The contracts usually last between 10 and 15 years. USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) finished up the 15th sign-up period on Friday, March 28.

Of the 1,056,755 Missouri acres offered for enrollment into CRP last March, 809,826 acres were accepted. Eighty-four percent of the accepted acres were re-enrolled from the prior CRP, while the remainder were enrolled for the first time. Currently, 1,624,158 acres are enrolled in CRP in Missouri with 1,121,083 acres due to expire by October 1 of this year. Considering the new enrollment, CRP acres will total 1,312,900 acres as of October 1, 1997. The average accepted rental bid for the 15th sign-up was $63 per acre. Roughly 100,000 acres across NE Missouri (16 counties) which were enrolled in the prior CRP will remain out of the program. Lewis, Marion, Ralls, and Pike counties will each lose three to seven thousand acres of prior CRP.

Landowners with CRP acreage which did not get re-enrolled have three options:
  1. they can farm the land,
  2. they can find someone to farm the land, or
  3. they can re- bid the land.
That's right; there will be another opportunity for landowners to get their acreage into CRP beginning sometime this fall with the 16th sign-up period. Rumor has it that this sign-up period will begin in early October and last 5 to 6 weeks. However, even with this additional sign-up, many former CRP fields across NE Missouri will become eligible for row crop production. Given this fact, there are several factors to consider when bringing former CRP fields back into production.

If CRP fields are in cool season grass like fescue, shred vegetation with a rotary or flail-type mower from mid-July through mid-August. If in warm season grass, mow or hay in early summer. Take soil samples in late summer to early fall to determine pH and nutrient levels. If in cool season grass, allow 10-12 inches of re-growth, then apply 1-1.5 qts./acre Roundup with either 2,4-D ester or Banvel at least two weeks prior to a killing frost. If in warm season grass, allow at least 8 inches of regrowth, then apply at least 2 qts./acre Roundup by mid-August.

If going to soybeans, apply normal "burndown" herbicide such as Roundup a few days prior to planting. Always use fungicide treated seed. Drill soybeans in 15-inch split row spacings or drill at 200,000 to 250,000 seeds per acre. If going to corn, scout fields 30 days before planting for prairie voles. For corn, use 2-2.25 pts. of Gramoxone, 1.5-2 qts of atrazine 4L, and 2,4-D ester at least 7-14 days before planting. Plan on post-emergence herbicides for both corn and soybeans. Increase nitrogen rate at least 50 lbs./acre over that of corn after soybeans. For no-till corn, inject all nitrogen resources except ammonium nitrate which can be broadcasted.

For more CRP statistics or information on bringing CRP acreage back into row crop production, give me a call at (573) 769-2177.

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