Illinois Farm Bureau has requested the federal government’s help to allow emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land.

Citing a “widespread drought impacting farmers throughout the state,” IFB President Richard Guebert Jr. sent a letter to U.S. Senate and House leadership last week asking them to work with Illinois’ congressional delegation and USDA on behalf of Illinois’ farmers. Illinois has yet to meet federal drought requirements for emergency haying and grazing before the primary nesting season ends Aug. 1. Here is Wendy Muller, a chief in CRP compliance for Illinois FSA

IFB initiated an emergency conference call last week with Illinois congressional staff and state USDA officials, including Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) Director Scott Halpin, to discuss drought conditions.

The drought monitor map is updated every Thursday morning.