Management considerations for returning CRP lands to crop production

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was initiated in 1985 under the Food Security Act with the intention of converting up to 18 million hectares (45 million acres) of highly erodible land (HEL) to permanent cover. Twelve sign-up periods has resulted in 377,000 contracts nationally. Eight percent of the cropland in the U.S. is enrolled in CRP. Hy 1993, 14.8 million hectares (36.5 million acres) of highly erodible or environmentally sensitive land were enrolled in CRP. The first contracts will begin to expire in 1905. By 1097, 8.9 million hectares (22 inillion acres) will be released from their CRP contracts. Fifty-five percent of CKP acres (8.1 inillion hectares or 20 million acres) are located in the 10 Great Plains States. Average erosion reduction is estimated to be 42.6 Mg ha−1 yr−1 (19 t ac 1) for land enrolled in CRP. As the year 1995 nears :ind CKP lands become eligible for release, lanclowners will be faced with many options, including leaving the lands …