District Conservationist Talking PointsMay 2007 Increasing Corn Production: Conservation Compliance Considerations As corn prices have gone up, many farmers are thinking about adding additional corn to their crop rotations. Producers with highly erodible land should first check their conservation plan when considering management decisions in order to remain eligible for USDA program benefits.  More information is available at http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/news/news_releases/news_releases.html. Change in CRP Nesting Dates Indiana's CRP nesting season date has been amended from March 1-July 15 to April 1-August 1. The new primary nesting date is only applicable to contracts approved after the issuance of the notice (CRP-557) on February 8, 2007.  The Farm Service Agency was required to make this change due to a lawsuit settlement.  The date change applies to all CRP activities. Contribution Agreements NRCS is still soliciting proposals for Contribution Agreements for FY 2007.  Districts also are welcome to submit proposals at any time to be considered for FFY 2008 agreements.  Details on the type of work being considered and required application materials can be found on the NRCS Contribution Agreement Fact Sheet available in the March 21 IASWCD Weekly Update, available at http://www.iaswcd.org/PDFs/Updates/3-21-07wu.htm. Budget/Staffing Update Indiana NRCS has received their final budget allocation.  The 2007 budget for Indiana is less than last year- while the financial assistance dollars are about the same, the technical assistance and conservation technical assistance dollars are reduced.  However, due to the way we have been managing our operations and budget, and some retirements, we will be hiring to fill some of our critical positions over the coming months. Statewide Programs Update EQIP: About half of Indiana’s $10.9 million EQIP dollars are obligated to date.  Looking at additional applications in the system, these funds should all be obligated during the third ranking period, when applications are selected for funding, which is scheduled to take place May 7.                 CSP: While there are no new CSP watersheds for FY 2007, payments are still being made on past-year contracts.  Indiana received $7.2 million for these payments, and 95% of these funds are obligated to date.   WHIP:  Indiana received $417,737 in WHIP funds, and $316,027 of these funds are currently obligated, with $101,710 remaining. WRP:  Indiana received $9,119,448 in WRP funds.  Indiana NRCS has either made offers, or is in the process of making offers, for easements that would utilize all of these funds.