Minnesota Conservation Reserve Program Information Series Post-CRP Management Options & Issues

Information to help CRP landowners evaluate post-CRP land management options. Each title in the series provides an overview of a particular topic, discusses related issues unique to CRP land, and points readers to additional resources for further information. Many of the land management options covered in the series present an alternative to returning the land to row crops. This could be especially important for highly erodible CRP lands that aren’t re-enrolled in the new CRP.

	WEEDS AND POCKET GOPHERS Types of weeds and degree of gopher mounding typical in Minnesota CRP fields, and tips on controlling these problems. By Craig C. Sheaffer et al., University of Minnesota.
	CONVERTING TO ORGANIC PRODUCTION Considerations in converting CRP to organic grain and organic livestock production, including certification. By Prescott Bergh, Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
	PERSISTENCE OF PLANTED FORAGES What to expect when evaluating CRP land for future uses in terms of plant composition (grasses, legumes, weeds and bare ground) and soil fertility, based on a survey of Minnesota CRP fields. By Craig C. Sheaffer et al., University of Minnesota.

	RENOVATING FOR FORAGE PRODUCTION Field preparation, incorporation of legumes, and other critical considerations for renovating CRP land for forage. By Craig C. Sheaffer, University of Minnesota.
	CONVERTING TO NATIVE VEGETATION Establishment and maintenance of warm-season plants for forage, seed, biomass, wildlife habitat, or conservation cover. By Kyle Thompson, Prairie Land Management, Inc.
	CONTROLLED GRAZING Grazing systems and management techniques to meet livestock nutrient needs. By Craig C. Sheaffer, University of Minnesota.
	HARVESTING HAY AND SILAGE Recommended hay- and silage-making practices and harvest strategies based on stages of plant development. By Craig C. Sheaffer, University of Minnesota.

	ENERGY FROM BIOMASS Biomass energy options in Minnesota involving alfalfa, hybrid poplar, corn, and other crops. By Loni Kemp, The Minnesota Project.
	HARVESTING THE WIND Wind development options in Minnesota, including owning a wind turbine and selling wind rights. By Loni Kemp, The Minnesota Project.

	BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR LEASING POST-CRP LAND Basic lease concepts and special issues to consider in the case of CRP lands. By Debra Elias, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture.
	MAINTAINING CONSERVATION BENEFITS ON LEASED LAND Conservation plans, land use provisions and other tools to help maintain the environmental benefits of CRP when leasing. By Debra Elias, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture.
	SELECTING A LEASE TYPE Six common lease types, and questions to consider when selecting among them. By Debra Elias, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture.
	RECREATIONAL LEASES What to consider in planning to lease CRP lands for hunting or other recreational activities. By Debra Elias, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture.

Produced by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) with funding provided by the Minnesota Legislature (ML 1995, Chap. 220, Sec. 19, Subd. 7k) as recommended by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, from the Minnesota Future Resources Fund, and by the MDA’s Agricultural Marketing and Development Division and Sustainable Agriculture Program, from the State’s General Fund. Layout and Design: Minnesota Extension Service (MES) and Greka Media Group. Editing: Kroll Communications and MDA. Illustrations: Ross Hier and USDA-NRCS. Special thanks to reviewers, MES, and MDA-Marketing for other assistance.

To Order Individual Titles or the Full Series: Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 612-296-7673, or the Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center at 1-800-876-8636, or your local Extension office. Individual titles are also available on the Internet at http://www.mda.state.mn.us, and alternative forms of communication are available upon request / TTY 1-800-627-3529.

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