A new variation in the Conservation Reserve Program is slated to provide more wildlife habitat on high erodible cropland. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the initiative at the National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic, held February 17-19 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The new Highly Erodible Cropland Initiative for the CRP will help farmers and ranchers target CRP enrollment of their most highly erodible cropland. Qualifying land must an erodibility index of 20 or greater, USDA said in a statement. Producers will be encouraged to plant wildlife-friendly, long-term cover on as many as 750,000 acres.

"Producers can enroll land on a continuous basis beginning this summer at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office," USDA said. "With the use of soil survey and geographic information system data, local FSA staff can quickly determine a producer’s eligibility for the initiative."