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When some farmers bid last year to have their land included in USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program, they said they’d plant that ground to warm season grasses, which made those bids a bit more favorable to local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices because of the conservation and environmental benefits such grasses offer.

But those farmers now have to find a way to plant those grasses – a move that may not be that easy as the grass seeds are very different from traditional cool season grasses and require a special planter. So far Ohio’s FSA offices have located less than 20 of those planters within the state.

Todd Brace, chief of Ohio FSA’s conservation section, explained the warm season grass seeds are light and fluffy, much like a dandelion seed, and won’t flow through traditional grass planters. FSA is trying to locate as many rangeland drills as possible that may be available for other farmers to rent in order to meet their CRP requirements.

If you have such a planter available that you are willing to rent to other farmers, contact your local FSA office.

Warm season grasses are looked upon favorably because of the enhanced habitat they provide for certain wildlife species, as well as their improved water filtration and better soil stabilization, Brace said. Some refer to warm season grasses as native plant species – switchgrass, big and little bluestem, Indiangrass, sideoats grama, Eastern gamagrass and Canada wild rye. Included in that mixture would be other plants – legumes, shrubs and forbs, the term USDA uses to refer to any herbaceous non-grasslike plant on which animals feed – like coneflower, prairie aster, some sunflowers and black-eyed Susan.

"I believe Mother Nature knew what she was doing when she put these covers here," Brace said, adding that native cover crops are not considered to be invasive. However, in the event they do spread to another field, Brace said they are easily controlled with traditional herbicides.

Landowners who plant warm season grasses also are eligible to graze that land one out of every three years in the fall and winter – after typical nesting seasons.

Another CRP sign-up begins May 5. If you’d like more information about Conservation Reserve Programs and the warm season grass cover crop option, contact your county FSA office.