Dan Steinkruger, State Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that the 2012 general signup resulted in 104,298 acres enrolled into the 10-year CRP starting on October 1, 2012. Steinkruger stated “we are excited to enroll or re-enroll over 100,000 acres into this critical conservation and environmental program in Nebraska; however, the CRP program is downsizing in Nebraska and nationally.”
    Nebraska has a little over 201,000 acres coming out of CRP on October 1, 2012. With the recent signup there will be a net loss of 100,000 acres of CRP across the state. These acres are being returned to crop production or for grazing. This reduction will leave about 900,000 acres in CRP in Nebraska, down from peak enrollment of over 1.34 million acres in 2007.
    All CRP signup 43 offers were evaluated and ranked using the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) that consists of the following five environmental factors plus cost: wildlife enhancement, water quality, soil erosion, enduring benefits and air quality. The national average rental rate per acre for this signup is $51.24.
    Nationwide, USDA accepted enrollment of 3.9 million acres bringing the total program enrollment to 29.6 million acres.
    Landowners enrolled in CRP receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland. Accepted contracts will become effective October 1, 2012.
    For more information about the Conservation Reserve Program, please contact your local FSA office or visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/crp.