Good Management Practices Can Help Prepare CRP Land for Production

WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 31, 2005 – Raising crops may be a profitable and productive alternative for landowners with acreage coming out of a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 10-year contract. However, bringing CRP land back into crop production requires good management techniques and attention to conservation compliance provisions.

"Several million acres of CRP will be coming out of the CRP program in the next two to three years,” said Shawn “Tater” Erickson, a Wilbur Ellis range and pasture certified crop advisor. “This is a great time to treat CRP acres for maximum return.”
According to Lisa Malabad, DuPont Crop Protection product manager, there are several practices that landowners can implement to prepare their CRP acreage for crop production, including:

1. Decrease erosion through terracing or crop rotation

2. Test and maintain soil fertility. Nutrient levels may be low, requiring fertilizer treatments. Unless manure has been applied, residual nitrate levels can be low. Experts recommend sampling separate areas to account for variations in cropping histories, erosion tendencies, soil types, etc.

3. Determine whether the cropping land will be no-till or tillage ground. Put in place proper irrigation practices, conserving as much water as possible.

4. Consider applying a pasture and rangeland herbicide from the DuPont™ Cimarron® product family to protect seed investment and reduce the spread of undesirable weeds.

5. Use crop residue. Let the “leftovers” do their natural work to preserve the nutrient levels and soil fertility.

6. Be sure to consult with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) regarding conservation compliance provisions when preparing your CRP acreage for future crop production.

The DuPont™ Cimarron® family of herbicides offers brush management and broadleaf weed control for CRP acreage, rangeland and pasture. Cimarron® herbicides won’t harm most grasses and have no grazing restrictions for beef cattle.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

# # #

8/31/05
Always read and follow all label directions and precautions for use.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™ and Cimarron® are trademarks or registered trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

For additional information about our company or our products, check our worldwide Web site: http://www.cropprotection.dupont.com