WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2026 - Farmer interest in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is expected to rise sharply this spring as commodity prices soften and market volatility intensifies, conservation experts say. With only 1.9 million acres remaining under the 27-million-acre cap, competition for enrollment is projected to be fierce - a development that could reshape income strategies for producers navigating a difficult farm economy.

As of September, roughly 25.8 million acres were enrolled in CRP, leaving just under 2 million acres before reaching the statutory cap of 27 million. That constraint is expected to intensify competition across all three major sub-programs: General CRP, Continuous CRP, and Grasslands CRP.

"There's always intense competition for the acres available," said Jonathan Coppess, associate professor at the University of Illinois. In a period of heightened market uncertainty - particularly in soybeans - he expects demand to rise further.

CRP pays producers to remove environmentally sensitive land from crop production in exchange for annual rental payments. While land is retired for 10 to 15 years under General CRP, Continuous CRP targets smaller parcels such as buffers and filter strips. Grasslands CRP allows managed grazing under more flexible conditions.

USDA announced it will accept offers for Continuous CRP from Feb. 12 to March 20, and for General CRP from March 9 through April 17. Signup dates for Grasslands CRP have not yet been released.

Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce acknowledged that enrollment "is likely to be competitive" this fiscal year across all three signups.

Data from last July show 8.4 million acres enrolled in Continuous CRP, 9.6 million in Grasslands, and 7.1 million in General CRP. Grasslands enrollment has expanded significantly since its introduction, nearly matching other program categories and adding pressure on remaining acreage availability.

Beyond conservation goals, CRP historically has helped moderate crop oversupply. But in today's environment - characterized by volatile export demand, elevated input costs, and uncertain trade conditions - income predictability may be its strongest appeal.

"For soybeans in particular, there's a lot of additional uncertainty in the market," Coppess noted. "A 10-year contract with a guaranteed rental payment can be a real option, especially for underperforming fields."

Ivy Jean Reynolds, founder of the Agrarian Policy Center, said producers operating on thin margins may view CRP as a strategic hedge against low yields and rising production expenses. The program includes cost-share assistance for establishing cover, reducing upfront financial strain.

Reynolds suggested that producers seeking the best chance of acceptance should consider submitting offers under both General and Continuous CRP to maximize their opportunities.

Legislative uncertainty adds another layer of complexity. While four major conservation programs were reauthorized through last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, CRP was only extended temporarily. Its long-term future depends on whether Congress passes a new farm bill this year.

House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson recently introduced a draft framework that would reauthorize CRP through 2031 while maintaining the 27-million-acre cap. However, debate over the nutrition title could complicate bipartisan negotiations, raising questions about the broader farm bill coalition.

Coppess said the unclear statutory future could cut both ways: some producers may hesitate, while others may rush to secure long-term contracts before potential policy shifts.

In a year marked by softer commodity prices and heightened market risk, CRP may once again serve as both a conservation pillar and a financial stabilizer - but only for those who can secure a place under the cap.