The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, Aug. 20 shows little change in drought conditions for the state. However, the percentage of the state in moderate drought increased slightly. Barton County and the area is improved a bit with the disappearance of severe drought and some moderate drought moving to abnormally dry. This doesn’t reflect the precipitation we received Tuesday or after. The six to ten-day outlook (Aug. 27 to 31) indicates a 50 to 60% chance of likely above normal for temperatures and normal for precipitation. The eight to 14-day outlook (Aug. 29 to Sept. 4) indicates near normal temperatures and normal to slightly above normal for precipitation. Again, not great for milo, soybeans, alfalfa planting or the upcoming planting for the 2025 wheat crop.

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has been around for decades. Many people have heard the initials but don’t really know what it is or why it started. You may hear statements like “they’re paying farmers not to farm” and the like. Today, why does it exist and what is its purpose?

Briefly, the CRP program as defined by the USDA: “In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality.”

Here is the website in case you’re interested: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/conservation-reserve-program/index.

So, as stated, its goal is to remove sensitive land from production, plant and/or promote native species, and improve the soil environment. Producers are not to simply let it go but do things like invasive tree/shrub species removal and promote beneficial plant species. The goal is to take marginal farm land, often land that is highly erodible or poor in terms of its chemical and physical properties.

Also land that is environmentally sensitive as wildlife habitat. Over the length of the contract, the idea is to improve the soil environment and vegetation. An added benefit is often improving wildlife habitat. However, there is more to it than that. What else is involved?

First, the primary goal is improving the health of erodible land in the surrounding environment. Preventing erosion also benefits more than the land itself by nearby land and waterways. Done properly, it’s played a significant role in habitat restoration.

Second, this is supposed to be marginal land. Simply put, it’s not very productive, has low yields and at best marginally profitable. And with poor soil quality, input costs per bushel are higher with lower production than on good soil.

Third, the amount of production is far below prime farmland but enough to increase production and lower output prices. Not enough income to really benefit the producer but often enough to depress prices.

Weirdly, U.S. producers are too efficient and productive for their own good. Taking this marginal land for a reasonable payment benefits all producers and the environment.

Dr. Victor L. Martin is the agriculture instructor/coordinator for Barton Community College. He can be reached at 620-792-9207, ext. 207, ormartinv@bartonccc.edu.