Delegation Announces Emergency Haying And Grazing Approved For Some Idaho Counties

WASHINGTON, DC â?? Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo and Representatives Mike Simpson and C.L. â??Butchâ?? Otter announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved emergency haying and grazing on land designated under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for twenty Idaho counties including Bannock, Bingham, Lincoln, Blaine, Bonneville, Bear Lake, Caribou, Cassia, Jefferson, Clark, Franklin, Fremont, Jerome, Lemhi, N. Custer, Minidoka, Oneida, Owyhee, Teton and Twin Falls. USDA has also approved managed haying and grazing for all Idaho counties. Haying is authorized from July 7 through October 1, 2003. Grazing is authorized from July 1 through December 1, 2003.â??This announcement represents the hard work and cooperation between local officials and Idahoâ??s farmers and ranchers,â?? Senator Larry Craig said. â??It is important that decisions affecting local people be made collaboratively by all stakeholders. This designation will be an added tool to those in the state who are feeling the worst of these continuing drought conditions.â?? Senator Mike Crapo said, â??This is good news for ranchers and farmers in Idaho and will allow them to get into their fields earlier in the crop year. The USDA has wisely worked with Idaho's local and state officials on this matter and, as such, has been responsive to local needs.â??â??I'm grateful the USDA has acted today to grant our request for emergency CRP haying and grazing authority for Idaho ranchers,â?? said Congressman Mike Simpson. â??I've heard from a lot of ranchers about how important this approval is and I'm glad we now have some good news for them. I also want to commend Idaho FSA Director Wayne Hammon for working closely with the Congressional Delegation and the USDA to ensure this request was approved.â??â??I'm glad to see the USDA folks are working with farmers and ranchers on this problem. It's good news when federal agencies get ahead of the curve so they can respond to natural disasters with something other than relief checks. It just makes sense for producers to be able to put these resources to use rather than watching drought put their livelihoods at risk,â?? said Congressman C.L. â??Butchâ?? Otter.[30]