By Bob Marshall

There’s new hope that native grasslands—arguably the most threatened wildlife habitat in the nation – can be saved.  But the House of Representatives will have to follow the bipartisan lead of a couple of prairie state representatives to get that done for sportsmen.
 
The Protect Our Prairies Act recently introduced by Tom Walz (D-MN) and Kristi Noem (R-SD) would help protect the nation’s remaining native sod and grasslands by reducing federal crop insurance subsidies for the first four years those acres are farmed.
 
This is a new version of the “Sod Saver” concept that has been around for some time, with the aim of preventing native grasslands from being plowed for two important reasons: This habitat is critical for a wide range of upland birds, migratory waterfowl and numerous other species; and they are far less productive for crops than other lands.
 
But the need for Sod Saver has never been greater, because the recent push for corn-based ethanol and soaring world commodity prices have led to a dramatic increase in conversion of grasslands to row crops.
 
Last year, many in Congress attempted to mitigate this ongoing wildlife disaster, with the Senate passing a bipartisan Farm Bill that had a national Sod Saver program. Unfortunately, the House never did pass a Farm Bill, and the version it was considering had only a regional Sod Saver provision. That’s because the Ag. Committee chairman, Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), is opposed to a national program.
 
Wildlife advocates point out regional programs – which allow states to opt in or out – have never been successful.
 
“The House version (last year) only applied to prairie pothole region, and that covered parts of a handful of states,” said Steve Kline, director of the Center for Agriculture and Private Lands at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “The problem with these partial programs is that you create situations that even within a state or perhaps even a county, some farmers would be in, some would be out, and you have an enforcement nightmare.
 
“National Sod Saver is absolutely critical if we’re to prevent the loss of this incredibly valuable habitat for wildlife.”
 
The new Sod Saver bills have gained support among fiscal conservatives because they tie a grant from the taxpayer to a service from the landowner. Reps Walz and Noem said their bill could save the taxpayers $200 million while also serving a critical conservation function for wildlife, and sportsmen.
 
In a video interview with Ducks Unlimited, which is one of the bill’s supporters, Walz and Noem said they were confident a Farm Bill would move out of the House this year.
 
Sod Saver’s inclusion in a Farm Bill indicates their Protect our Prairies measure is also a public statement to fellow House members that national Sod Saver has bipartisan support.
 
Sportsmen can help by contacting their congressional delegation urging them to pass this bill, or include its goals in the next House Farm Bill.

Comments (5)

from Dcast wrote 12 weeks 1 day ago

There shouldn't be any farming subsidies for anything period. Farmering is one of the greatest jobs you could have! Last year was a bust for many but if they were smart and put back like most with any financial common sense they will be ok. The last 10 yrs they have been literally growing the money tree. I know it isn't to their doing but if prices stay the way they are therre is no reason subsidies shouldn't cease.

Bob once again shows his good Stalin Propaganda typewriter is still up and running good! How much did you buy it for? The House Republicans passed a farmbill, but your hero Mr. Harry Reid refused to bring it to the senate floor for vote because of welfare funding! Bob, what are you going to do once the mental midgets start figuring you out?

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from Mike Diehl wrote 12 weeks 1 day ago

Dcast - You have an unhealthy, if fascinating, obsession with Bob Marshall. You need to take a vacation. Go fishing or something. "Stalin"? You just compared a guy who writes about land management polciy with a dictator that killed millions of his own nation's citizens? Seriously?

You need to get a life. Or just start your own column on land management and sustainable wildlife populations. I am certain, based on your own proclamations, that readers around the world... urrr, readers in Ameri.. readers in your county.. ummm readers for YARDS around you will sound the praises for your erudite and insightful prose.

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from Gsquare wrote 12 weeks 1 day ago

Mike, Marshall is a treehugging extremist that would take everything you have to save a few ducks so he can do his hunting junkets with winchester, remington and the rest of the sports industry. Sorta like a sportswriter/sport industrial complex. There wouldn't be an oilwell, gaswell or anything else in his home state if he had his way. I bet he's not too popular down there, so he writes his stuff here.

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from FirstBubba wrote 10 weeks 3 days ago

All I got to say is, "google New Zealand farm subsidies"!
I'm with you Dcast! Kill ALL farm subsidies!
The same people who whine about losing CRP lands are the same folks who advocate wind/solar that's gobbling up thousands of acres of farmland and wildlife habitat!

-2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Norske wrote 10 weeks 3 days ago

All my pasture lands are in a USFWS conservation easement. They can't be grazed or cut for hay until July 16 of each year.

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from Mike Diehl wrote 12 weeks 1 day ago

Dcast - You have an unhealthy, if fascinating, obsession with Bob Marshall. You need to take a vacation. Go fishing or something. "Stalin"? You just compared a guy who writes about land management polciy with a dictator that killed millions of his own nation's citizens? Seriously?

You need to get a life. Or just start your own column on land management and sustainable wildlife populations. I am certain, based on your own proclamations, that readers around the world... urrr, readers in Ameri.. readers in your county.. ummm readers for YARDS around you will sound the praises for your erudite and insightful prose.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Norske wrote 10 weeks 3 days ago

All my pasture lands are in a USFWS conservation easement. They can't be grazed or cut for hay until July 16 of each year.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Dcast wrote 12 weeks 1 day ago

There shouldn't be any farming subsidies for anything period. Farmering is one of the greatest jobs you could have! Last year was a bust for many but if they were smart and put back like most with any financial common sense they will be ok. The last 10 yrs they have been literally growing the money tree. I know it isn't to their doing but if prices stay the way they are therre is no reason subsidies shouldn't cease.

Bob once again shows his good Stalin Propaganda typewriter is still up and running good! How much did you buy it for? The House Republicans passed a farmbill, but your hero Mr. Harry Reid refused to bring it to the senate floor for vote because of welfare funding! Bob, what are you going to do once the mental midgets start figuring you out?

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from FirstBubba wrote 10 weeks 3 days ago

All I got to say is, "google New Zealand farm subsidies"!
I'm with you Dcast! Kill ALL farm subsidies!
The same people who whine about losing CRP lands are the same folks who advocate wind/solar that's gobbling up thousands of acres of farmland and wildlife habitat!

-2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Gsquare wrote 12 weeks 1 day ago

Mike, Marshall is a treehugging extremist that would take everything you have to save a few ducks so he can do his hunting junkets with winchester, remington and the rest of the sports industry. Sorta like a sportswriter/sport industrial complex. There wouldn't be an oilwell, gaswell or anything else in his home state if he had his way. I bet he's not too popular down there, so he writes his stuff here.

-4 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.