 |
...testing
the
mettle of
land stewards
|
|
Before you convert...
Weighing the decision
This pamphlet includes regional outlines based on the assumption that farmers will keep
their Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land under contract through the September 30, 1997
expiration date.
These regional outlines for converting CRP to cropland also assume that farmers have
carefully weighed all the good reasons to keep land in CRP and that they realize some
highly erodible (HEL) acres should be kept in the program or never farmed again.
FSA guidelines
According to USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), farmers with contracts expiring in September
of 1997 must abide by certain management guidelines to be in compliance prior to converting
CRP to crops.
For the most part, those guidelines involve regional wildlife nesting periods as well as a
90-day period before the end of the CRP contract. A May 1, 1997 exception is available for
contract holders in arid (low rainfall) areas but it does entail a pro-rated CRP payment
reduction.
|
"Let's not undo ten years of progress in one year. Let's realize we have the
responsibility to leave something there for our children's children."
-David Hagstrom
Nebraska Grower
|
|
Before acting on any of the outlines enclosed, first review them and other options with your
local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office and USDA Farm Service Agency.
Your State FSA Committee and State Technical Committee (a committee comprised of several
agencies) are responsible for establishing the guidelines and distributing information to
local offices.
You basically have two production scenarios to choose from:
1 - Plow it up and get all the "good" out of it, returning the land to marginal
production as soon as the next planting season, or
2 - The one we'd recommend- use a no-till or minimum-till (limited tillage)
management plan to secure that land's long-term
productivity for your
family and future generations. Make a living and proudly call yourself a
steward of the land.
Setting the stage
To best ensure the long-term productivity of the land, the basic goal for conversion is to
keep the soil benefits CRP has provided. Basically, that means keeping as much of the soil's
organic matter as possible. That's why the best bet is no-till. Minimum tillage would be a
lesser option but one that would help retain at least some of the benefits. If you
minimum-till the first season, plan on no-tilling the next season and for the future.
Much of the information on this page depends greatly, as does farming itself, on
weather and field conditions. We hope it at least offers a place to start and helps you
follow up on soil-saving ways for conversion. Taking land out of grass to plant crops is,
admittedly, a formidable task. Yet, based on the research that does exist, if you manage
this transition correctly the soil will provide productive dividends for years to come.
Mind set
If we truly wish to learn from history and avoid a repetition of the post-Soil Bank erosion
fiasco, we'll rely on the technologies we have that our forefathers and mothers didn't-namely,
advanced equipment and crop protection technology.
We will also draw on the good ol' American "can-do" spirit. You know, the
kinda' stuff we
teach the kids. Here's a real opportunity to show them. Thanks to public and private sector
researchers everywhere who applied that spirit to make the following pages possible.
Important notes for most regions...
 Higher amounts of carbon and lower nitrogen levels are found
in most
CRP soils.
Closely analyze soil fertility and pH before converting to
crops. Living
CRP grasses have tied up nitrogen sources, leaving limited levels
for
plant growth. Until the old residue decomposes to release this nitrogen,
higher
rates of nitrogen will be required.
Consider planting herbicide-tolerant soybeans.
Dragging old rails or disking can be used to level mounds.
The active ingredient in Roundup and Roundup Ultra is
glyphosate which
is only active in the plant and is neutralized upon contact with the soil.
Additional surfactant (sticking agent) is added to Roundup Ultra.
This pamphlet was produced by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), 1220
Potter Drive, Room 170, West Lafayette, IN 47906-1383. Our thanks
for assistance from Jim Stiegler, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK;
Roger Veseth, University of Idaho and Washington State University,
Moscow, ID; Mike Lindstrom and Don Reicosky, USDA Agricultural
Research Service, Morris, Minnesota; David Schertz,
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Monsanto Company.
Mention of product or service does not constitute an endorsement by CTIC.
Back to the top... |
