Corn Growers Urge Changes to CSP Sign-Up Date (1-12-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), along with other key agricultural industry organizations, this week called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin the enrollment process for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) as soon as possible.  An enrollment period that begins before the spring planting season is important to farmers and ranchers as this allows them more time to work through the self-assessment and application process.

“NCGA has always appreciated the enormous amount of time and effort it takes to develop and maintain the Conservation Security Program in the best and most efficient way possible,” said Bill Chase, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “However the process must take into consideration the timelines and the seasons growers face each year. In order for the program to be a success, growers must be able to have time to do the entire process.”

In addition to enrollment dates, the organizations are in agreement and are encouraging the USDA to use the maximum available funding amounts for 2006 and 2007 for the CSP. The letter states, “The budget reconciliation bill pending in Congress will not preclude a robust CSP sign-up and it’s important the program has a strong year leading up to the next farm bill debate.”

The organizations stressed: “It is important to the upcoming policy deliberations about this program in the next farm bill to have had a good and fair test of the program going into that debate.  We therefore urge you to move forward with a strong sign-up this year and next."
 
To view the coalition letter in its entirety, please click on the following link.