Recent decisions by USDA and a U.S. District Court about the use of Conservation Reserve Program acres have answered as well as created questions for cattle producers.

Efforts by the Nebraska Cattlemen and other organizations have helped protect the interests of cattlemen who relied on a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture freeing CRP acres for use in haying and grazing. That decision had been challenged in court by the National Wildlife Federation.

A district court ruled in support of producers last week. Michael Kelsey, executive vice president for the Nebraska Cattlemen, says the ruling was good as far as it went.

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Kelsey says a USDA decision Wednesday not to allow an early-out of CRP acres was a big disappointment.

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The Nebraska Cattlemen also believes there is a longer term issue with these rulings.

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Kelsey says Nebraska Cattlemen will remain involved in these and other government decisions to protect the interests of cattlemen in the state.

Cut  #4:       :11        Out cue: “…secretary issued yesterday.”

Nebraska Cattlemen is also assisting individual cattlemen apply for and utilize CRP haying and grazing opportunities in their operations.