LINCOLN, NE - The Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) has announced that after January 30, 2009, carbon credit contracts for prescribed grazing on native rangeland will no longer be eligible for the 2003-2007 bonus years.

As a result of the CCX announcement, Farmers Union, an offset aggregator for CCX, has moved up the deadline for their new rangeland enrollment pool to January 30, 2009. Completed enrollments received by January 30, 2009 that have proper documentation will still be eligible to receive 2003-2007 credits.

Producers will still be eligible for carbon credit enrollments for the next rangeland management pool beginning after January 30, 2009, but the new contracts for the new pool will not be eligible for the bonus years reaching back to 2003.

Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen said, “This is the last chance for eligible ranchers to utilize the “reach back” provision for the additional five years of carbon credits for years 2003-2007 years in the carbon credit Rangeland Management Program. We strongly encourage eligible ranchers who have the proper documentation, including a formal grazing plan, to sign up for carbon credits before the January 30, 2009 deadline. I encourage ranchers to take advantage of this opportunity before it is gone.”

After January 30, 2009, “reach back” bonus credit will be offered for 2008 only, which is similar to the No-Till Program. Prior carbon credit enrollments are not affected by this rule change.

Ranchers can get more information and online enrollment at: www.nebraskafarmersunion.org or by calling Graham Christensen at the Nebraska Farmers Union State Office at 402-476-8815. Since it does take some time to properly enroll, ranchers are encouraged to get started with their enrollment applications as soon as possible and not wait until the end of January.

Nebraska Farmers Union is a general farm organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality of life and economic well-being of family farmers and ranchers, and their rural communities. NEFU has made over 65 carbon information presentations to farmers and ranchers across the state in 2008, and is the largest marketer of Rangeland Management carbon credits in Nebraska.