PIERRE, S.D. -- Updated rental rates are now available for new Conservation Reserve Program contracts. In many areas of South Dakota, average CRP rental rates have increased 10 percent to 20 percent, making them much more competitive with local cash rent.

“This increase in CRP rental rates will make enrolling environmentally sensitive lands such as wetlands much more attractive for landowners” said Game, Fish and Parks Private Lands Habitat Biologist Rocco Murano. “CRP has been vital in the maintenance and expansion of local wildlife populations.”

“Pheasants and waterfowl are highly dependent on high quality grassland habitat for nesting and brood rearing,” according to GFP Private Lands Habitat Biologist Matt Grunig.

Grunig and Murano also urge landowners to consider enrolling marginal croplands in the SAFE program or CP-38, a relatively new CRP practice intended primarily to improve nesting conditions for pheasants in eastern South Dakota and five West River counties.

Unlike most other continuous CRP practices, SAFE acres can be used to enroll larger acreages. “SAFE acres give producers a greater measure of control over where they want to place habitat for pheasants and other wildlife,” Murano said.

For more information about CRP or other conservation programs please contact your local USDA service center, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill biologist or GFP private lands habitat biologist.