11/14/05 EQIP signup deadline moved up

Time is running out for those wanting to apply for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). Landowners need to come into their local Natural Resources Conservation Service office to fill out their applications before the November 22nd deadline. State conservationist Rich Sims says the deadline was moved up to help producers implement their conservation practices before spring planting. SIMS "This is a big change for a lot of people. They come in in January and February to sign up for the program and if they come in then they can sign up but they won't be eligible for the 2006 money because the date is going to stop on November 22nd." Sims says EQIP is a very popular program in Idaho. SIMS "In the last three years we're right around 30 to 34 million dollars that we have tied up in funds to put conservation practices on the ground through the EQIP program." There are two new cost sharing opportunities this year under the EQIP program. NRCS will pay 50 dollars per acre for the use of bio-fumigants and 10 dollars per acre for insect scouting by a certified professional. There's a 160 acre limit on both. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott