Land in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) normally can't be hayed or grazed whenever you like. In a drought, though, USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) can open CRP acres for emergency haying and grazing.
When a county qualifies
A county can be approved when:
- Any part of the county is rated D2 (severe drought) or worse on the U.S. Drought Monitor, or
- The FSA county committee documents a 40% or greater loss of forage from a disaster.
FSA reviews the list every Thursday and posts maps and county tables on its CRP emergency haying and grazing page. Only acres physically inside the eligible county, or the eligible part of it, qualify.
The nesting season matters
Every state sets a primary nesting season for birds. FSA says it generally runs from about March through July, but the exact dates differ by state. Ask your county FSA office for yours.
| Activity | Outside nesting season | During nesting season |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency haying | Allowed in an approved county. One cutting, and you may sell the hay. | Not allowed |
| Emergency grazing | Allowed in an approved county | Allowed only if the county qualifies for LFP payments, at 50% of normal stocking rate |
LFP is the Livestock Forage Disaster Program. If the county qualifies for LFP, only certain CRP practices can be hayed, and on no more than 50% of the eligible acres.
Does it cut my CRP rent payment?
Under federal rules, emergency haying and grazing on approved acres causes no reduction in your annual CRP rental payment.
Non-emergency haying and grazing is a separate option. It is allowed outside the nesting season on a set schedule, generally haying every three years and grazing every two. It does carry a 25% payment reduction on the acres used.
Rules that trip people up
- Ask first. You need FSA approval and a modified conservation plan before you cut or turn out. FSA tells producers to "always check with your local USDA Service Center" first.
- Time limits. Approval is for a set period and can end early if conditions improve. FSA's older fact sheet described up to 60 days for the one hay cutting and up to 90 days of grazing. Confirm the current limits with your office.
- Some acres may not qualify. Acres in certain special agreements (SAFE and CREP) qualify only if their agreement allows it. For non-emergency use, FSA excludes a few practices, such as wildlife food plots (CP12). Ask your office about your practice.
- The stand must be able to take it. FSA can say no if the cover would be damaged.
- You can let someone else use it. A CRP participant can let another livestock producer hay or graze the acres.
What to do next
- Check FSA's weekly county list. Cownty can also alert you when your county is added.
- Call your county FSA office. Ask for your state's nesting-season dates and the time limits.
- Get your modified conservation plan in place with FSA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
- Write down the start and end dates, head counts and hay amounts. Keep receipts if you're selling or donating hay.
Cownty can text you when your county is approved or dropped for CRP emergency haying and grazing.
Cownty is an independent service and is not affiliated with USDA. This is general information. Your CRP contract and FSA's written approval govern what you may do.
Check your county
Every county, by state: Texas · Oklahoma · Kansas · New Mexico
Official sources
- FSA – Counties Approved for CRP Emergency Haying and/or Grazing (updated weekly)
- FSA – CRP Haying and Grazing fact sheet (2025)
- 7 CFR 1410.63 – CRP permissive uses (eCFR)
- U.S. Drought Monitor
- farmers.gov – USDA Service Center Locator
Rules and dates checked against these pages on Oct 18, 2026. Information only, not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice: the agency decides. Not affiliated with USDA or any government agency.