Next CRP Sign-up Scheduled
Early In The Upcoming Year

WASHINGTON — The next signup for the Conservation Reserve Program will be from Jan. 18 through Feb. 11, 2000.

Land that is accepted for the program will be enrolled Oct. 1, 2000, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Larry Mitchell, deputy assistant administrator for USDA Farm Service Programs, says he is looking for fewer additional acres to be enrolled. That will make for a more competitive sign-up.

"Ag producers in many parts of the country are finding financial difficulties right now," Mitchell says. "They're looking for ways to cash flow. I suspect some of those producers will be looking towards CRP, though it is a conservation program, as a way of nailing down a little cash flow to make sure their farming operation continues."

That could change if Congress decides to allow funding to increase the CRP cap from 36 million to 40 million acres.

"It could if Congress were to act in time," Mitchell says, "because the new sign-up doesn't start until after the first of the year."

The agricultural appropriations bill, however, apparently did not include an increase in CRP funding.

There had been speculation that Congress would raise the cap from 36.4 million acres to 40 million acres as the administration had asked for, or Congress could have approved some sort of a soil restoration program as a short term alternative.

About 400,000 acres of CRP contracts will expire in September 2000.

Texans will receive nearly 10 percent of the more than $1.3 billion appropriated for the round of CRP sigh-ups.

USDA last week announced the payment schedule, which averages $5000 per farm or $45.15 per acre.

``The CRP is tremendously beneficial for producers and the general public,'' Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said. ``It has reduced soil erosion and expanded wildlife habitat while improving air and water quality, restoring wetlands, and encouraging tree planting. And at the same time, it has strengthened farm income.''

Texas has more acres enrolled in the CRP, 3.6 million, than any other state. Texas producers will receive $130 million in rental payments for September and October, USDA said, second only to Iowa's $137 million.

Under the program, producers voluntarily retire environmentally sensitive land for 10 to 15 years. In return, they receive annual rental payments. Enrolled land must be highly erodible, contribute to a serious water quality problem, or provide substantial environmental benefits if devoted to certain specific conservation uses.