The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new policy for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to encourage the creation of more bird habitats on irrigated farmland, according to the USDA.
The new policy focuses on farmland with center-pivot irrigation systems. It allows producers interested in habitat creation to use disconnected pivot corners to help increase the population of upland birds.
CRP was created due to the decline in upland bird populations, such as the northern bobwhite, pheasant and prairie chicken. Other species now can benefit from the recent policy change including the mourning dove, wild turkey, several sparrows, meadowlark and bobolink.
CRP is a voluntary program. Participants establish long-term plant species that control soil erosion, sequester carbon, improve water quality, and strengthen declining wildlife populations. In return, participants receive annual rental payments between 10 and 15 years.
Participants and land must meet certain eligibility requirements. For additional details, contact your local Farm Service Agency office at offices.usda.gov or visit the website at www.fsa.usda.gov/conservation.