04/05/06 Important CRP deadline coming

Washington Ag April 5, 2006 April 14th is an important Conservation Reserve Program deadline. Rod Hamilton with the Washington State Farm Service Agency office explains. Hamilton: "Actually there are two things happening that end on April 14th. The first is the general CRP sign up. The second is the contracts that were older contracts expiring in 2007, those producers received a letter from us offering anywhere from a two-year to five year extension or a 10-year re-enrollment. And they had until April 14th to one, let us know they wanted to pursue that extension, and two to pay a fee for it." Hamilton says reports from the county level indicate the majority of those with contracts expiring in 2007 responded pretty quickly. As for the general sign up, given the limited acreage remaining under acreage cap on CRP Hamilton doesn't expect a real high acceptance rate. Hamilton: "However we do have a couple of counties have reported pretty heavy interest in the program. I believe Lincoln and Whitman counties have had a lot of producer inquiries." Adams, Asotin, Douglas, Franklin and Klickitat counties are already at the maximum acreage allowed for CRP and Hamilton says Benton, Garfield and Walla Walla are approaching the limit. I'm Bob Hoff.