HARRISBURG, Pa. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture will offer a new Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands practice specifically tailored for small-scale livestock grazing operations, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Deputy Undersecretary Alexis Taylor recently announced.

Small livestock operations with 100 or fewer head of grazing dairy cows or the equivalent can submit applications to enroll up to 200 acres of grasslands per farm. USDA’s goal is to enroll up to 200,000 acres.

The new practice for small-scale livestock grazers aims to encourage greater diversity geographically and in types of livestock operation.

Applications will be accepted until Dec. 16 for enrollment beginning Oct. 1, 2017.

Program participants establish or maintain long-term, resource-conserving grasses and other plant species to control soil erosion, improve water quality and develop wildlife habitat on marginally productive agricultural lands. Participants can use the land for livestock production while following their conservation and grazing plans in order to maintain the cover. Participants can receive annual payments of up to 75 percent of the grazing value of the land and up to 50 percent to fund cover or practices like cross-fencing to support rotational grazing or improving pasture cover to benefit pollinators or other wildlife.

USDA will select offers for enrollment based on six ranking factors:

* current and future use;

* new farmer/rancher or underserved producer involvement;

* maximum grassland preservation;

* vegetative cover;

* environmental factors; and

* pollinator habitat.

Offers for the second ranking period also will be considered from producers who submitted offers for the first ranking period but were not accepted, as well as from new offers submitted through Dec. 16.

Small livestock operations or other farming and ranching operations interested in participating in CRP Grasslands should contact their local FSA office. To find a local FSA office, visit offices.usda.gov.