Ellis, Graham and Trego counties were added Friday to the list of counties now eligible for emergency grazing of grass enrolled in the federal Conservation Reserve Program.

With the additions, farmers in 30 Kansas counties can now graze grass in the popular program. Typically, the grass is off limits to grazing or haying except in drought conditions.

According to the Farm Service Agency, counties must show precipitation rates in the four months prior to making the request are 40 percent less than normal, and  show forage production is down at least 40 percent.

Emergency grazing is only allowed through September 30.