What's Up at the USDA Office?
Deadlines/Dates
July 10: Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) opened
August 15: Deadline to enroll in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)
September 30: Deadline for ARCPLC Revisions
Nesting Season Ends
August 1: Now’s the Time to Manage Your CRP
As of August 1, the primary nesting season for CRP lands is officially over in Iowa. This means landowners can now resume weed control, mowing, interseeding, and other management practices - but with care and strategy.
What Can You Do Now?
With restrictions lifted, now is the ideal window for:
• Spot spraying undesirable species within contracted acres
• Mowing problem areas to suppress weed seed set or encourage native grass regrowth
• Preparing for fall prescribed burns or interseeding, especially for CP2, CP25, and other wildlife-focused practices
• Implementing Mid-Contract Management (MCM) actions required by your CRP agreement.
Be Wary of Spreading Weed Seeds When Mowing
While mowing can help suppress unwanted species, it also carries the risk of spreading invasive weed seeds across your field if not done properly. To minimize this risk:
• Mow high (6–10”) to avoid scalping native grasses and opening bare soil
• Clean equipment thoroughly between fields or after mowing known weed patches
• Avoid mowing during peak seed set for invasive plants (August–September for many species)
• Spot mow instead of broadcast mowing when possible
Target Perennials Now for Long-Term Control
This is also the best time to chemically treat deep-rooted perennials like Canada thistle and crown vetch. These plants are moving energy into their roots in late summer, making herbicides more effective at killing the entire plant, not just the top growth.
Don’t Forget to Document
Any management work you do on CRP must be recorded:
• Maps/photos of treatment areas
• Herbicide type, rate, and application method
• Timing and purpose of mowing
Check with your local FSA or NRCS office to ensure you’re staying compliant, especially if you’re combining weed control with required Mid-Contract Management or preparing for a new sign-up or reenrollment.
Summary
With nesting season behind us, August through October offers the best opportunity of the year to manage your CRP effectively. Be proactive, but work smart - don’t spread more problems while trying to fix them.
