Latest CRP Signup
Withdraws 5M Acres

WASHINGTON —(AP)— The Agriculture Department last Thursday accepted nearly five million acres of land into the Conservation Reserve Program, which pays farmers to take environmentally sensitive acreage out of production.

Montana had the largest amount approved, 638,178 acres, followed by North Dakota with 603,235; Texas, 554,800; Kansas, 403,030; and Minnesota, 380,547.

Nationwide, 29.8 million acres are enrolled in the program, with about 3.5 million acres of that under contracts that expire this fall.

Land put in the program must be planted with trees, grass and other cover. In exchange, farmers are guaranteed payments for 10 to 15 years.

Producers offered 7.1 million acres in the latest sign-up period. The offers are evaluated according to the cost and environmental benefits of idling the land.

``I am pleased with the results of this sign-up,'' said Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman. ``Our nation's farmers and ranchers continue to demonstrate their commitment to the environment and to America's long-term productivity.''

The latest round of contracts will cost taxpayers $200 million a year.