U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Lauds Change to Early Harvesting Rules for Cover Crops

WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/20/19]—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) lauded the USDA’s decision to move haying and grazing dates on prevented plant acres from November 1 to September 1. The change comes after Sen. Smith’s bipartisan letter with Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), which requested that USDA modify early harvesting dates.
 
“Last week, I spoke with Minnesotan farm leaders and this issue dominated the conversation,” said Sen. Smith. “The farming economy is in a significant crisis, and I knew action needed to be taken to stop yet another roadblock for our farmers and ranchers.”
 
“I’m extremely pleased to see the USDA make these changes. The farming community needed a win and these new harvesting rules provide a ray of hope during a very tough period.”
 
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) adjusted the 2019 final haying and grazing date from November 1 to September 1 to help farmers who were prevented from planting because of flooding and excess rainfall this spring. This will allow farmers to maintain eligibility for their full 2019 prevented planting indemnity. RMA has also determined that silage, haylage and baleage should be treated in the same manner as haying and grazing for this year.