Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture granted an extension of the emergency grazing on CRP lands through September 30 for areas of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas impacted by recent wildfires.
This letter from Secretary Perdue comes in response to a letter sent by Congressmen Marshall, Thornberry and Lucas to the USDA requesting an extension of the authorized emergency grazing on CRP lands located in Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.
"I want to thank Secretary Perdue and the USDA for responding to the needs of cattle producers across the wildfire-damaged area," Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D., said. "This extension should give grass additional time to recover and producers additional time to rebuild fences and other facilities destroyed by the fire. I appreciate the Secretary and USDA utilizing the flexibility they have to help restore these hard-working Kansans."
"The decision by the USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to extend emergency grazing on CRP lands will allow ranchers who were affected by the Panhandle wildfires much needed time to rebuild fencing, replant grass, and provide a safe home for their livestock," Congressman Mac Thornberry said. "I appreciate the Secretary listening to our concerns and providing agriculture producers in the Panhandle with more time to get back on their feet."
"I've lived all my life in Northwest Oklahoma, but I have never seen anything of the magnitude of these fires," Congressman Frank Lucas said. "USDA's 90 day extension of emergency grazing on CRP acres will no doubt help ease the burden for farmers and ranchers in our part of the country by providing them with additional flexibility while forage is reestablished and fencing is rebuilt. I thank Secretary Perdue for working with us on this critical matter to help support producers impacted by these devastating wildfires."