Now is the time to begin maintenance mowing under the conservation reserve enhancement program (CREP). CREP is a voluntary program whereby participants enter into 10- or 15-year contracts and earn an annual rental payment for the acreage under contract. The trade-off for the rental payment is harvesting and grazing restrictions and improved water quality and wildlife habitat.

The established mowing dates are Aug. 1 to Aug. 31. The reason for the late mowing time is so ground- nesting birds do not have their nests destroyed during the brooding season. Mowing is not required, but woody vegetation is not permitted on CREP cropland acreage. If CREP participants follow their conservation plans, woody vegetative growth will not be an issue. CREP acreage can be mowed every year around the perimeter of the field, along the woodlines at 25 feet wide. CREP mowing in the field can only account for one-third of the acreage. In other words, mow a different one-third each year; that way, all the acres are mowed once every three years and this will prohibit woody vegetative growth.

Noxious weeds such as Canadian Thistle and Multi-Flora Rose must be controlled on CREP acreage also, but mowing especially during August will not control noxious weeds. CREP participants, especially those with buffers along the creeks, will need to be vigilant in monitoring noxious weeds and use a herbicide application to kill the noxious weeds. There are a few good herbicide recipes that do an excellent job at a reasonable price.

Participants already receive a maintenance payment as part of the annual rental rate, so there should be no excuse for not controlling noxious weeds. Some participants are physically unable to perform maintenance activities; these participants may need to hire someone to complete the spraying.

Spot-checks will be performed by Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel on farms randomly selected. Although there are many farms enrolled, total contract acreage is only about 3,500 acres for Butler, Beaver and Allegheny counties.

Most of the CREP contracts have been for buffers along the creeks to prohibit livestock. Very few whole farms have been enrolled, which is evidence that CREP works well for active producers.

Anyone with questions about CREP mowing or any other CREP issues should contact the office for more information at 724-482-4800 Ext. 2 or 724-775-2369 Ext. 2.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.