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Cattle Producers Ask for Congress’ Assistance in CRP Fight Billings, Mont. (July 18, 2008) – A federal judge on Thursday directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Wildlife Federation to negotiate a compromise by July 22 regarding the haying and grazing of certain Critical Feed Use (CFU) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land across the United States. Additionally, the judge continued a temporary restraining order that prevents drought-stricken ranchers from utilizing this CRP land to supplement the feeding of their cattle. “The judge made it clear that USDA had not appropriately conducted an environmental assessment of this land, so if he’d made a decision yesterday, it probably would’ve been against USDA,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. “Because of his background in agriculture, though, it seems the judge recognizes the plight of the ranchers who direly need this program, so he’s opened the door for USDA and the Wildlife Federation to work out an agreement that would at least allow some grazing on no more than 2.5 million acres.” Besides the 2.5 million acre limit, the judge also forbade any further use of the CFU program without USDA first conducting an environmental review and also prohibited the use CFU acres that have recently been hayed or grazed. He said he would issue an order by the end of next week to implement a modified version of the CFU program. “The message to our members who are affected by this decision is that they should contact their members of Congress and ask them to encourage USDA to negotiate a settlement that allows ranchers suffering from droughts or floods to access these lands,” said Bullard. “Time is of the essence, and if this issue drags on, it will cause significant harm to farmers and ranchers who continue battling the elements in an effort to keep their herds intact.” # # # R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on trade and marketing issues. Members are located across 47 states and are primarily cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and/or feedlot owners. R-CALF USA has dozens of affiliate organizations and various main-street businesses are associate members. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516. |
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This page was last updated on Wednesday, December 24, 2008. |
