On Sept. 20, Shayne Wiese of Manning, IA, testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. As a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and the American Hereford Association, his testimony covered the different conservation programs offered to cattle ranchers and the different stakeholder perspectives involved through USDA.
“USDA’s voluntary conservation programs have been a great asset to cattle producers,” Wiese testified. “It is important that these programs are implemented in a practical, producer-friendly and voluntary manner for years to come to ensure that cattle producers will continue to have the ability to do what we do best—produce the world’s safest, most nutritious, abundant and affordable protein while operating in the most environmentally friendly way possible.”
Wiese utilizes the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
CRP is administered by the Farm Service Agency, and producers enroll in contracts ranging from 10-15 years in length. When entering the contracts, farmers and ranchers “agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality,” according to USDA, in return for yearly rental payments.
CRP was started in 1985 and signed into law by former President Ronald Reagan, encouraging voluntary participation in conservation and sustainability, as well as providing additional income for those who participate.
EQIP is administered through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and “provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.”
The goal of EQIP is to create a working relationship with the producer to create and implement the best possible conservation tactics for their land. One of the listed benefits is “increased soil health to help mitigate against increasing weather volatility and improved drought resiliency.” The contract length for these partnerships can range from five to 10 years, and individuals are encouraged to speak with their local USDA offices to maintain the most accurate information for their region.
During the testimony, Wiese encouraged the cooperation of all parties involved, saying, “Voluntary conservation programs work because they are voluntary. Our operation has had success in using USDA conservation programs, but just because this system works for us does not mean it is right for everybody.” Additionally, he said, “Cattle producers strive to balance environmental sustainability with economic viability and social consciousness—maintaining this balance is key to ensuring our long-term success.”
Additional conservation programs that producers use and that create a mutually beneficial relationship include the Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP), Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) and the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP).
FWP works on wetlands to ensure the maintenance of healthy ecosystems and minimize the chance for suburban development. Participants enrolled in FWP are making a commitment to “restore the wetlands, establish plant cover, and not use enrolled land for commercial purposes.”
EFRP and ECP could also be beneficial to western ranchers and farmers who suffer from the wildfire season. Following a natural disaster, if an individual’s private property has forestland, EFRP will implement payments to assist with the restoration of damaged trees. This can also go beyond the wildfire season and be applied to drought scenarios or to insect infestations.
ECP has a more targeted approach to drought and water management, helping to “repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and put in place methods for water conservation during severe drought.” In March 2018, California alone received $192,775 in relief funding through ECP.
Wiese’s testimony urged for these programs to continue with additional flexibility. Under CRP, livestock grazing cannot occur on the property enrolled in the program. Wiese said, “Our ranch took some land out of CRP and transitioned it into our rotational cattle grazing system and have seen improvements to all pastures due to more grazing options.” His testimony urged Congress and the Biden administration to maximize the opportunities for carbon sequestration that cattle grazing provides and to create a less rigid structure for involvement in the programs. — Chloй Fowler, WLJ correspondent
