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Farmers and ranchers bewareAfter reading the article in the High Plains Journal entitled "Judge issues order stopping emergency CRP grazing" by Jennifer M. Latzke, I could not help but respond. U.S. District Court Judge John. C. Coughenour of the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Washington, Seattle, according to the article has granted an order filed on behalf of the National Wildlife Federation and six of its affiliates that has effectively stopped the USDA and the Farm Services Agency from processing or approving any additional CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) contract modifications that allow grazing or making hay on a portion of CRP lands. As a farmer, rancher and landowner, I have always protected wildlife on my land and I believe that, in this case, the National Wildlife Federation and its affiliates are defeating their own purpose. It makes very little sense to further depress the already depressed farmer and rancher while not even achieving the purpose of protecting wildlife. I know that all situations are not the same, but for me as an entrepreneur, I have my own ways of caring for wildlife. I have always made a practice of feeding wheat hay with ample grain which... provided for approximately 200 wild turkeys and several coveys of quail ... located in the areas where the cattle are fed. A letter opposing the utilization of these CRP lands was written to the Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, July 9 by the National Wildlife Federation, with 14 other conservation groups also signing. I would like to talk to one or more representatives of the National Wildlife Federation, its six affiliates or the other 14 environmental and wildlife organizations that are opposed to the benefit of farmers and ranchers and what could ultimately benefit our country. I seriously doubt that most of these organizations even knew what they were signing. In the article, Congressman Jerry Moran, R-KS, stated "this is an example of an environmental group obstructing legitimate agriculture policy decisions" and I certainly agree with his interpretation. These organizations and Judge Coughenour obviously do not realize that preventing me from putting up additional hay or pasturing a portion of this CRP land will result in my land that is not enrolled in CRP being more heavily grazed. I will certainly be forced to over-graze one of my best places for wildlife and, as high as grain and cattle cubes are at this time with significant price increases expected, I will not be able to feed as much grain as I usually would. Additionally, before grazing or making hay on any CRP lands, the Farm Services Agency that closely monitors these lands had made it clear that plenty of cover was to be maintained for erosion control and wildlife habitat. I have dedicated my life to the improvement of the land of which I have been entrusted and would never do anything that would result in harm to this property and its wildlife. Yet, by being uninformed, these conservation groups are effectively doing the damage that they are trying to prevent. Please know that I am very concerned about the issues that confront our wildlife and that I am also very concerned about the farming and cattle industry. Any contact from any of the conservation groups as mentioned in the article or the Department of Agriculture would certainly be welcome. Verne L. Willits Fairview, Okla. 8/4/08 Date: 7/31/08
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