The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that beginning on September 1^st, they will be accepting applications for working grasslands to be incorporated into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), according to the Wildlife Management Institute.

The CRP-Grasslands initiative will provide participants who establish and maintain cover crops with annual rental payments up to 75 percent of the grazing value of the land. Cost-share assistance will also be provided for up to 50 percent of the cost for cover establishment and other practices such as additional fencing to support rotational grazing.

"This is another great example of how agricultural production can work hand in hand with efforts to improve the environment and increase wildlife habitat," said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Applications will be scored against published ranking criteria and approved based on the competiveness of the offer. The first ranking period will close on November 20, 2015 and enrollment in the program will be capped at two million acres.

The wildlife benefits of this new program remain to be evaluated as producers may still conduct grazing, produce hay, mow or harvest seed from enrolled lands. More information about the initiative can be viewed on the USDA website. (pmr)