State Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson says the federal Agriculture Department has denied the state's request for early emergency haying on Conservation Reserve Program land in North Dakota.

Johnson says the state sought permission to allow drought-stricken farmers to hay CRP land starting July 15, instead of waiting until the primary bird nesting season ends Aug. 1. He says the federal Farm Service Agency denied that request.

Johnson says the decision does not affect emergency grazing, which has been approved in 26 counties since June 24.

- AssociatedPress