News

Wetland easement haying allowed in Missouri’s driest counties

Wetland easements in Missouri’s driest counties can be cut and baled for livestock forage.  Landowners can apply to the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to cut up to 50 percent of the grass in their wetland easements if they’re in a drought-designated county.

Acting Assistant State Conservationist Chris Hamilton tells Brownfield cutting hay on the easements is allowed until the end of August, but bales must be removed by September 15.

“In this circumstance we know there is a need to provide good forage for cattle in that region,” Hamilton told Brownfield Ag News Monday.  About 10,000 acres of wetland easements are affected.

The decision to allow the haying of the easements came from Missouri State Conservationist J.R. Flores.

Grazing is not permitted on the easements because of possible wetland damage from livestock.

Landowners interested in haying wetland easements first need to get authorization.  The NRCS office will have more information.

AUDIO: Chris Hamilton (5 min. MP3)