Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) in Montana

CSP payments by fiscal year in Montana


CSP payments by county, 2017-2020


Practices and enhancements on CSP acres, 2017-2020, Montana

RankPracticePayments,
2017-2020
1Cropland Annual Payment$92,303,688
2Rangeland Annual Payment$31,374,322
3Pasture Annual Payment$9,363,051
4Reduce risk of pesticides in surface water by utilizing IPM PAMS techniques$1,313,790
5Reduce risk of pesticides in surface water by utilizing precision pesticide application techniques$1,129,777
6Non-Industrial Private Forest Land Annual Payment$1,039,149
7Farmstead$591,979
8Improving nutrient uptake efficiency and reducing risk of nutrient losses to surface water$526,495
9Harvest of crops (hay or small grains) using measures that allow desired species to flush or escape$462,546
10Maintaining quantity and quality of forage for animal health and productivity$459,893
11Supplemental Payment$408,280
12Existing Activity Payment-Land Use$388,351
13Reduce risks of nutrient losses to surface water by utilizing precision ag technologies$375,699
14Improving nutrient uptake efficiency and reducing risks to air quality - emissions of GHGs$372,130
15Reduce ozone precursor emissions related to pesticides by utilizing IPM PAMS techniques$366,451
16Improving nutrient uptake efficiency and reducing risk of nutrient losses to groundwater$330,330
17Prescribed grazing that improves or maintains riparian and watershed function-erosion$262,804
18Modifications to improve soil health and increase soil organic matter$252,916
19Leave standing grain crops unharvested to benefit wildlife food sources$239,303
20Manage livestock access to streams/ditches/other waterbodies to reduce nutrients in surface water$172,181
21Associated Ag Land$165,182
22Improved grazing mgmt for plant productivity/health through monitoring$135,319
23Forage harvest management that helps maintain or improve wildlife habitat (cover and shelter)$107,612
24Incorporating wildlife refuge areas in contingency plans for wildlife food$106,034
25Leave standing grain crops unharvested to benefit wildlife cover and shelter$86,048
26Existing Activity Payment-Resource Concern$85,800
27Use of multi-species cover crops to improve soil health and increase soil organic matter$74,918
28Conservation cover to provide food habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects$71,184
29Enhancement - Soil Management$70,467
30Incorporating wildlife friendly fencing for connectivity of wildlife food resources$69,719
31Minimum Payment Adjustment$62,805
32Grazing management that protects sensitive areas from gully erosion$59,474
33Herbaceous weed control (plant pest pressures) for desired plant communities/habitats$59,329
34Grazing management for improving quantity/quality of plant structure/composition for wildlife$57,786
35Irrigation Water Management $57,204
36Enhanced field borders to increase carbon storage along the edge(s) of the field$53,622
37Conservation cover to provide cover and shelter habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects$53,532
38Upland Wildlife Habitat Management $52,907
39Establish Monarch butterfly habitat$48,386
40Improved grazing management for plant productivity/health through monitoring$47,455
41Pastured Cropland Annual Payment$46,115
42Resource conserving crop rotation for soil organic matter improvement$44,748
43Advanced Automated IWM - Year 1 - Equipment and soil moisture is monitored- recorded and used in dec$40,217
44Advanced IWM--Weather is monitored- recorded and used in decision making$37,452
45Tree/shrub planting for wildlife cover$36,428
46Nutrient Management $35,579
47Forage harvest management that helps maintain wildlife habitat continuity (space)$35,542
48Cropland conversion to grass-based agriculture for soil organic matter improvement$32,739
49Forage and biomass planting that produces feedstock for biofuels or energy production$32,057
50Herbaceous weed control (inadequate structure and comp) for desired plant communities/habitats$30,937
51Enhanced field border to provide wildlife habitat continuity along the edge(s) of a field$30,230
52Reduce forest stand density to improve a degraded plant community$29,076
53Conservation cover to provide habitat continuity for pollinators and beneficial insects$28,924
54Pest Management Conservation System$28,923
55Extend existing filter strip to reduce excess nutrients in surface water$27,938
56Advanced IWM--Soil moisture is monitored- recorded- and used in decision making$27,731
57No till system to increase soil health and soil organic matter content$27,383
58Tree/shrub planting for wildlife food$26,632
59Crop Bundle#5 - Soil Health Assessment- No till$26,585
60Reduced tillage to reduce wind erosion$23,391
61Forage plantings that enhance bird habitat (structure and composition)$22,515
62Improved grazing management for plant structure and composition through monitoring activities$22,359
63Enhanced wildlife habitat on expired grass/legume covered CRP acres$22,114
64Herbaceous Weed Treatment$21,744
65Stewardship Payment$21,338
66Use of SHA to assist with development of cover crop mix to improve soil health and increase SOM$21,150
67Herbaceous weed control for desired plant communities/habitats consistent with the ecological site$20,847
68Improved crop rotation to provide benefits to pollinators$19,863
69Enhanced field borders to reduce water induced erosion along the edge(s) of a field$19,659
70Cover Crop $19,190
71Fence$18,268
72Manage livestock access to streams/ditches/other waterbodies to reduce pathogens in surface water$17,756
73Reduced tillage to reduce water erosion$17,280
74Advanced Automated IWM - Year 2-5- Soil moisture is monitored- recorded and used in decision making$17,249
75Working Lands for Wildlife Bundle$17,139
76Resource conserving crop rotation to reduce wind erosion$16,803
77Grazing management that protects sensitive areas-surface water from nutrients$16,621
78Pasture and Hay Planting $15,860
79Enhanced field border to provide wildlife food for pollinators along the edge(s) of a field$15,594
80Conservation Crop Rotation $14,001
81Enhancement - Grazing Management$13,573
82Prescribed Grazing $13,552
83Enhanced field border to provide wildlife cover or shelter along the edge(s) of a field$12,525
84Extend existing filter strip to reduce excess sediment in surface water$12,017
85Cover crop to minimize soil compaction$11,882
86Establishing tree/shrub species to restore native plant communities$10,687
87No till to increase plant-available moisture: moisture management$9,436
88Adding food-producing trees and shrubs to existing plantings$9,364
89Improved grazing management that reduces undesirable plant pest pressure through monitoring$8,928
90Cropland conversion to grass-based agriculture to reduce wind erosion$8,592
91Create patch openings to enhance wildlife cover and shelter$8,545
92Range planting for increasing/maintaining organic matter$8,029
93Residue and Tillage Management- No Till $7,914
94Supplemental Payment Improved$7,700
95Stream crossing elimination$7,683
96Grassed Waterway $7,516
97Install variable frequency drive(s) on pump(s)$7,432
98Resource conserving crop rotation to improve soil compaction$7,103
99Intensive cover cropping to increase soil health and soil organic matter content$7,053
100Resource conserving crop rotation to reduce water erosion$7,008
101Cover crop to suppress excessive weed pressures and break pest cycles$6,830
102Prescribed grazing that maintains/improves riparian/watershed function-min sediment in surface water$5,574
103Existing Practice Payment$5,340
104Extend existing filter strip to reduce excess pathogens and chemicals in surface water$5,024
105Conservation crop rotation on recently converted CRP grass/legume cover for SOM improvement$4,948
106Increase stream shading for stream temperature reduction$4,739
107Improved grazing management for water erosion through monitoring activities$4,475
108Watering Facility$4,351
109Prescribed grazing that maintains/improves riparian/watershed function impairment from nutrients$4,281
110Enhanced field borders to reduce wind induced erosion along the windward side(s) of a field$4,229
111Resource conserving crop rotation to relieve plant pest pressure$3,926
112Cropland conversion to grass-based agriculture to reduce sediment loading$3,846
113Forage Harvest Management$3,814
114On-Farm Secondary Containment Facility$3,722
115Renovate small- shallow pothole and playa sites which may seasonally hold water$3,399
116Soil health crop rotation$3,296
117Brush management for improved structure and composition$3,191
118Cover crop to reduce wind erosion$3,065
119Pumping Plant$3,026
120Cultural plantings$2,898
121Stockpiling cool season forage to improve plant productivity and health$2,785
122Reduce risk of pesticides in water and air by utilizing IPM PAMS techniques$2,606
123Conservation Cover $2,566
124Planting for high carbon sequestration rate$2,460
125Grazing management for improving quantity and quality of cover and shelter for wildlife$2,445
126Improved grazing management for soil compaction on rangeland through monitoring activities$2,374
127Cover crop to reduce water erosion$2,347
128Tree/Shrub Establishment $2,193
129Reduction of attractants to human-subsidized predators in sensitive wildlife species habitat$2,168
130Salinity and Sodic Soil Management$2,146
131Residue and Tillage Management- Reduced Till $2,048
132Structures for Wildlife$1,923
133Conservation crop rotation to reduce the concentration of salts$1,807
134Roof Runoff Structure$1,777
135Complete pumping plant evaluation for all existing pumps on a farm.$1,701
136Critical Area Planting$1,648
137Complete pumping plant evaluation for all pumps on a farm.$1,644
138Improved resource conserving crop rotation to reduce water erosion$1,633
139Range Planting $1,472
140Conservation crop rotation on recently converted CRP grass/legume cover for wind erosion$1,356
141Livestock Shelter Structure$1,212
142Forest Stand Improvement$1,200
143Access Control$1,136
144Woody Residue Treatment$987
145Reduced tillage to increase plant-available moisture: irrigation water$978
146Filter Strip $961
147Creating structural diversity with patch openings$956
148Leave standing grain crops unharvested to benefit wildlife$932
149Forage plantings that can help increase organic matter in depleted soils$866
150No till to reduce energy$823
151Livestock Pipeline$500
152Forage and biomass planting for water erosion to improve soil health$434
153Enhancement - Energy Management$335
154Incorporating wildlife refuge areas in contingency plans for prescribed grazing-cover/shelter$319
155Establish pollinator and/or beneficial insect habitat continuity (space)$300
156Cropland conversion to grass-based agriculture to reduce water erosion$237
157Field Border $207
158Tree/Shrub Pruning$195
159Stream corridor bank stability improvement$186
160Windbreak/Shelterbelt Renovation $158
161Snags- den trees- and coarse woody debris for wildlife habitat$145
162Grazing management that protects sensitive areas-ground water from nutrients$140
163Reduced tillage to reduce energy use$134
164Harvest of crops (hay or small grains) using measures that allow desired species to flush or escape$133
165Establish and maintenance of moist soil vegetation on cropland edges to increase wildlife food$13
166Complete pumping plant eval for all pumps on a farm to determine the VFD potential$5
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 Total Payments, 2017-2020144,608,998
NRCS climate smart practice: The list of NRCS climate smart CSP enhancements were not funded until 2020, so their total spending between 2017 and 2020 is small. However, CSP practices that have EQIP codes, like code 340 for cover crops, were funded before 2020. Payments for NRCS climate smart CSP enhancements are likely to be larger after 2020.

NCRS climate smart practices on CSP acres, 2017-2020, Montana

RankPracticePayments,
2017-2020
1Irrigation Water Management $57,204
2Upland Wildlife Habitat Management $52,907
3Nutrient Management $35,579
4Cover Crop $19,190
5Pasture and Hay Planting $15,860
6Conservation Crop Rotation $14,001
7Prescribed Grazing $13,552
8Residue and Tillage Management- No Till $7,914
9Grassed Waterway $7,516
10Conservation Cover $2,566
11Tree/Shrub Establishment $2,193
12Residue and Tillage Management- Reduced Till $2,048
13Range Planting $1,472
14Filter Strip $961
15Field Border $207
16Windbreak/Shelterbelt Renovation $158
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 Total Climate Smart CSP payments, 2017-2020$233,330
NRCS climate smart practice.

CSP payments by county, 2017-2021

RankStateCSP Payments, 2017-2020
1Chouteau County, Montana$12,539,127
2Daniels County, Montana$12,113,016
3Hill County, Montana$10,406,002
4Toole County, Montana$8,572,579
5Teton County, Montana$8,240,410
6McCone County, Montana$7,838,006
7Phillips County, Montana$6,429,926
8Valley County, Montana$6,400,697
9Richland County, Montana$6,101,939
10Roosevelt County, Montana$6,053,802
11Sheridan County, Montana$5,117,016
12Dawson County, Montana$4,826,577
13Cascade County, Montana$4,723,141
14Pondera County, Montana$4,543,140
15Blaine County, Montana$4,288,797
16Liberty County, Montana$4,225,284
17Yellowstone County, Montana$3,484,297
18Glacier County, Montana$3,287,790
19Golden Valley County, Montana$3,079,250
20Wheatland County, Montana$2,923,521
21Rosebud County, Montana$2,689,441
22Stillwater County, Montana$2,410,036
23Musselshell County, Montana$2,258,237
24Fergus County, Montana$1,889,734
25Garfield County, Montana$1,752,656
26Prairie County, Montana$1,277,900
27Broadwater County, Montana$1,182,000
28Fallon County, Montana$1,165,944
29Big Horn County, Montana$1,102,388
30Park County, Montana$724,027
31Carter County, Montana$668,706
32Madison County, Montana$626,158
33Judith Basin County, Montana$606,978
34Wibaux County, Montana$449,244
35Jefferson County, Montana$405,057
36Carbon County, Montana$383,075
37Petroleum County, Montana$343,668
38Lewis and Clark County, Montana$276,899
39Gallatin County, Montana$198,719
40Sweet Grass County, Montana$78,821
41Sanders County, Montana$68,133
42Meagher County, Montana$55,149
43Powder River County, Montana$34,744
44Custer County, Montana$29,513
45Flathead County, Montana$19,676
46Lake County, Montana$17,997
47Beaverhead County, Montana$12,357
48Ravalli County, Montana$10,300
49Powell County, Montana$7,458
50Missoula County, Montana$376
51Silver Bow County, Montana$0
52Granite County, Montana$0
53Deer Lodge County, Montana$0
54Treasure County, Montana$0
55Lincoln County, Montana$0
56Mineral County, Montana$0
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USDA Census of Agriculture Data for Montana, 2017

Land in Montana, 2017

Land typeAcres
Number of Farms:27,048
Total Acres in Farms:58,122,878
Cropland Acres:16,406,300
Permanent pasture and rangeland:38,459,451
Woodland Acres:2,540,798

Livestock in Montana, 2017

LivestockNumber of Animals
Cattle and calves inventory2,518,571
Layers inventory 931,006
Sheep and lambs inventory218,544
Hogs and pigs inventory180,660
Broilers and other meat-type chickens sold131,318

Crops in Montana, 2017

 

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