USDA opens conservation land for grazing

[LaStrega]

USDA opens conservation land for grazing

DES MOINES, Iowa - The federal government will allow livestock to graze on thousands of acres of land set aside for conservation as a part of its response to record flooding in the Midwest.

The move, announced late Monday, is a response to what U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Schaeffer called a "crisis situation in the Midwest and other parts of the country that calls for drastic action."

"Flood waters inundated thousands of acres that cannot be salvaged for production this growing season, and it happened at a time of record crop, food and fuel prices," Schaeffer said in a statement.

The release of land in the USDA's Conservation Reserve Program is designed to provide some relief to farmers - particularly livestock producers - who have struggled to cope with rising grain prices and spring floods that have left their fields sopping.

Full Article

[kickysnana]

1. This was being done BEFORE the flooding I was told...

by a person who raises hay. They are allowing some people to harvest hay on conservation land and put it on the market. These lucky people do not own the land, do not pay taxes on the land, and did not seed the land or fertilize the land. The cost of hay this year is about $4-4.25 a bale. They are selling conservation land hay for $2.75.

He was explaining to one of his long time larger customers that he cannot produce hay for any less and if he is forced out of business by this who will they buy from next year and at what cost?

So is this planned chaos or just stupidity on our governments part?

[LaStrega]

2. Yeah ...

When I Googled it, there were articles from years ago.