Livestock producers in the severe to extreme drought areas of western Minnesota were hoping to hay available Conservation Reserve Program ground, but some are finding themselves in a frustrating situation. As farmers go into their local FSA office for the haying paperwork, they are learning there may be limits on what can be hayed. At Farmfest, Minnesota Representative Angie Craig said this may take time to address. “I’m focused on D2 and D3 drought recognition and seeing what we can do to make sure we’ve got grazing and haying. Long-term, I think we’ll have to make sure there’s additional authority under the farm bill.” Craig is also a co-sponsor of legislation allowing USDA to allow emergency haying and grazing CRP acres before August 1 when certain conditions are met. Hear the story.