June 15, 2006

USDA approves cattle grazing on conservation land due to drought
 

The USDA has approved emergency cattle grazing on conservation reserve land in 31 Kansas counties after Kansas senator Pat Roberts asked for a waiver last month.

The move is expected to help livestock producers tide over prolonged drought conditions in the state.

Senator Roberts said drought conditions have forced producers to sell livestock early or move them out of state.

Under the conservation programme, farmers and ranchers were paid to set aside farm or ranch land for conservation.

Grazing is usually not allowed on those lands before Jul 15, before primary nesting and brood rearing seasons for wildlife are over.