USDA has set a July 23, 2021 deadline for ag producers and landowners to apply for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signup 56, the department reminded in a press release today. It also said its Farm Service Agency will accept applications for CRP grasslands from July 12 through Aug. 20. This comes after USDA last week announced it has deleted all previous offers submitted under the continuous and general CRP signups. Offers can be re-submitted beginning today. The deadline for continuous CRP signup is Aug. 6.
Signup for both general CRP and CRP grasslands is competitive. USDA upped the ante this year by providing greater incentives like higher rental payments as part of the Biden administration’s all-of-government approach to tackling climate change. FSA has added a new Climate-Smart Practice Incentive for practices that sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for general CRP. The agency is also adding a one-time “inflationary” adjustment for payment rates, as well as having more flexibility on adjusting soil rental rates.
FSA has updated the Grasslands signup to establish a minimum rental rate of $15 per acre, as well as new National Grassland Priority Zones. Find more details here.