Wildlife Use of Cultivated Fields Set Aside under the Payment in Kind (PIK) Program

ment of Agriculture (USDA) to reduce acreages of surplus agricultural crops: corn, wheat, sorghum, cotton, and rice. The primary objective was to decrease excess stores of these crops held by the federal government, and coupled with reduced production in 1983 due to diverted cropland, increase market prices of crops to the benefit of farmers. A farmer participating in the program agreed not to plant a specified acreage in exchange for surplus grain from the USDA in an amount based on a percentage of previous yields. The PIK program was administered by the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) through their county offices. Restrictions on the use of PIK fields varied from county to county, but, generally, establishment of vegetation cover was required and weed control was encouraged. Grazing, haying, and cultivation were restricted, but exceptions could be obtained.