| Erosion
Control
| Rank 4(Low) | Rank 3 (Low - moderate) | Rank 2 (Moderate - high) | Rank 1 (High) | |
| Sheet & Rill Erosion
Wind Erosion *
| Soil loss rates are
below tolerance levels
and are enhancing the
soil resource
| Soil loss rates are at
tolerance levels
| Soil loss rates are
above the soil loss
tolerance level but at
an Alternative
Conser - vation System
level to meet Food
Security Act
compliance
require - ments on HEL
fields.
| Soil loss rates are not
controlled and soil loss
rates are above the soil
loss tolerance level and
do not meet a
Alternative
Conser - vation System
on HEL fields.
|
- Because you may not be able to observe excessive erosion rates and you may be unsure of your erosion rate, complete the attached soil loss worksheet before completing this section
| Ephemeral Erosion
| All ephemeral erosion
sites are controlled
with no erosion
occurring.
| Ephemeral sites are
controlled but
sometimes erosion
occurs on the sides of
the channels.
| Ephemeral sites have
minimal control and
often erosion occurs in
the channels
| Ephemeral sites are not
controlled and are
removed each year by
tillage operations
| |
| Gully Erosion
| All gully erosion sites
are controlled with no
gullies present
| Gully erosion sites are
controlled but
sometimes control
methods fail.
| Gully erosion sites have minimal control and often control methods fail | Gully erosion sites are
not controlled
| |
| Off - site Damage
| There is no off - site
damage occurring.
| Off - site damage occurs
less than one out of 10
years.
| Off - site damage occurs less than one out of 5 years | Off - site damage occurs
at least once out of
every two years
| |
| On - site Damage | There is no on site damage to crops occurring | On - site damage to crops occurs less than one out of 10 years | On - site damage to
crops occurs less than
one our of 5 years.
| On - site damage to crops occurs at least once out or every two years. | |
| Streambank
| There is no streambank
erosion occurring, or
not present.
| There is slight
streambank erosion
occurring in limited
places. A buffer strip is
in place
| Erosion occurring
along most of the
streambank, with little
or no buffer strip in
place. Some cropland
being lost each year to
streambank erosion.
| Heavy streambank
erosion occurring along
most of the stream
bank. No buffer strip
in place. Significant
areas of cropland being
lost each year to
streambank erosion
| |
| Soil Quality
| |||||
| Compaction
| There is little or no soil
compaction.
Compaction does not
limit the growth or
selection of the crops.
| Slight problems with
soil compaction during
part of the year. Is
limiting to the growth
of some crops.
| Soil compaction is a
common problem.
Care has to be taken
when driving heavy
equipment during
certain times of the
year or during wet
conditions.
| Soil compaction is a
common problem
which is limiting in the
selection and
placement of crops.
Heavy equipment such
as liquid manure tanks
cannot be used in
certain fields.
| |
| Organic Matter *
| Organic matter is not a
limiting factor in the
selection of crops,
nutrients, or pesticides.
| Organic matter is a
slight limiting factor in
the selection of crop,
nutrients, or pesticides
| Organic matter is a
common limiting factor
in the selection of crop,
nutrients, or pesticides
| Organic matter is a
extremely limiting
factor in the selection
of crop, nutrients, or
pesticides
|
- Because organic matter is not directly observable in the soil a soils test is needed to complete this section.
| Soil Structure | Open. The soil is very
crumbly with lots of
pore space.
| Mostly open. The soil
is crumbly with good
pore space.
| Slightly dense. The
soil breaks into clods.
Pores are less visible
| Dense. The soil breaks
into large clods with
very little pore space.
|
| No sign of crusting or soil compaction | No sign of crusting or soil compaction | Soil sometimes crusts. Some compaction | Crusting and
compaction are
evident.
| |
| Nutrients
| ||||
| Soil Testing | Cropland fields have
been tested annually.
| Cropland fields tested
every 3 years.
| Cropland fields tested every 4 to 6 years. | No soil testing in the last 7 years. |
| Sampling Density | Sampling includes some type of site specific sampling, or at least 8 soil cores are collected from 5 acres or less to form a composite soil sample and at least 2 soil samples are collected from each field regardless of size | At least 6 soil cores are collected from 5 to 10 acres to form a composite sample and at least 2 soil samples are collected per field. | At least 5 soil cores are collected from 10 to 20 acres to form a composite sample. | A single soil sample collected from 20 or more acres. |
| Sampling Depth | Sampling depths are at 12", 24", 36' for residual N crediting. | Sampling depths at 12" and 24" | Sampling depth at 12" only | Deep nitrate samples are not taken |
| Fertilizer Rates *
| N rates are based on
realistic yield goals
based on 5 year average
and do not exceed
State University
recommen - dations.
| N rates are based on
realistic yield goals
based on 5 year average
but sometimes exceed
State University
recommen - dations
| N rates are based on
previous practices and
sometimes exceed
State University
recommen - dations.
| N rates are not based
on realistic yield goals
and often exceed State
University
recommen - dations
|
| P rates are based on realistic yield goals based on 5 year average and do not exceed State University recommen - dations | P rates are based on realistic yield goals based on 5 year average, but sometimes exceed State University recommen - dations | P rates are based on previous practices and sometimes exceed State Universtiy recommen - dations | P rates are not based on realistic yield goals and often exceed State University recommen - dations |
- If you do not know what your realistic yield goal may be, complete the attached yield goal worksheet before completing this section
| Time and Placement of Fertilizer | All N is applied in the
spring. A small
amount at planting and
the remainder is
applied at sidedress
time.
| All N is applied in the
spring. Most of the N
is applied pre - plant but
a small amount is
applied at planting.
| Some N is applied in
the fall. The remainder
is applied in the spring.
Some use of N
stabilizer is used in the
fall.
| All N except a small
amount is applied in
the fall. Only starter N
is spring applied.
| |
| All P is applied as starter fertilizer and is placed in the soil next to the seed row | Most of the P applied is as starter fertilizer in the soil next to the seed row. Some P is broadcast in the spring and incorporated | Most of the P is broadcast in the spring with incorporation being done as secondary tillage. | Most of the P is broadcast in the fall with incorporation being done as secondary tillage in the spring. | ||
| Credits | N credits from organic matter, legumes, manure, and sludge are frequently used to reduce N fertilizer rates while still meeting the crops needs. | N credits from organic
matter, legumes,
manure and sludge are
sometimes used to
reduce N rates and are
accounted for when
calculating crop needs.
| N credits from organic
matter, legumes,
manure and sludge are
seldom used to reduce
N rates and seldom
accounted for when
calculating crop needs.
| N credit for organic
matter, legumes,
manure, and sludge are
not used to reduce N
fertilizer rates or
accounted for when
calculating crop needs.
| |
| P credits from organic matter, manure, and sludge are frequently used to reduce P fertilizer rates while still meeting the crops needs | P credits from organic
matter, manure and
sludge are sometimes
used to reduce P rates
and are accounted for
when calculating crop
needs.
| P credits from organic
matter, manure and
sludge are seldom used
to reduce P rates and
seldom accounted for
when calculating crop
needs.
| P credit for organic
matter, manure, and
sludge are not used to
reduce P fertilizer rates
or accounted for when
calculating crop needs.
|
- Because the large variability of available N in organic sources you will need to complete the attached worksheet before completing this section
| Manure Application
Rates *
| Manure is applied at
rates that do not exceed
the N needs of the crop
to be grown.
| Manure is sometimes
applied at rates that
exceed the N needs of
the crop to be grown.
| Manure is frequently
applied at rates that
exceed the N needs of
the crop to be grown.
| Manure is applied at
rates that exceed the N
needs of the crop to be
grown.
| |
| Manure is applied at rates that do not exceed the P needs of the crop to be grown | Manure is sometimes applied at rates that exceed the P needs of the crop to be grown | Manure is frequently
applied at rates that
exceed the P needs of
the crop to be grown
| Manure is applied at rates that exceed the P needs of the crop to be grown | ||
| Manure is applied by
using a calibrated
manure spreader.
| Manure rate is
estimated by the
number of loads
applied to a field.
| Manure rate is
estimated visually by
what is on the ground.
| Manure rate is
unknown.
|
- Because of the high variability of the N value of manure and the needs of the crop you must have your manure tested for nutrient value and complete the attached worksheet before completing this section.
| Abandoned Wells | There are no aban - doned wells in the cropland, or abandoned wells have been closed | Aban - doned wells in the cropland identified, have been permitted by the County Planning and Zoning Department | There are aban - doned
wells in the cropland
that are not permitted.
(Note: This is a
violation of the county
well ordin - ance)
| |
| Well Construc - tion | Wells are properly cased and are beyond the minimum distance from any pollutant source | Wells are properly cased and at the minimum distance from any pollutant source. | Well is not properly cased and may be within the minimum distance from any pollutant source | Well is a un - cased
multi - aquifer, or open
hole. Well is located
such that it would
receive surface water
runoff.
|
| Pests
| ||||
| Scouting
| All fields are scouted at
recom - mended
intervals. Economic
thresholds are used in
determining
appli - cation decisions
| All fields are scouted at
regular intervals.
Scouting information is
used to determine
appli - cation decisions.
| Scouting is done
infrequently and not at
regular intervals.
Appli - cation is based on
historical data.
| Scouting is not done.
Appli - cation is based on
crop planted
|
| Cultural Pest Control
| Cultural methods of
controlling pests are
working with desired
insect populations
resulting.
| Cultural methods of controlling pest are working most of the time. | cultural methods of controlling pests are not working most of the time. | Cultural methods do not control pests at all. |
| Mechanical Pest
Control
| Mechanical methods
are used in controlling
pests are working with
desired insect
populations resulting
| Mechanical methods of controlling pests are working most of the time. | Mechanical methods of controlling pests are not working most of the time. | Mechan - ical methods do not control pests at all. |
| Chemical Pest Control | Chemical methods are
used in controlling pest
are working with
desired insect
populations resulting,
| Chemical methods of controlling pests are effective most of the time. | Chemical methods of
controlling pests are
not effective most of
the time.
| Chemical methods do
not control pests at all.
|
| Appli - cation
| Appli - cation is based on
scouting and economic
thresholds and rates are
in accord - ance with
labeled rates and
locations.
| Appli - cation is based on
scouting and rates are
in accord - ance with
labeled rates and
locations.
| Appli - cation is based on
historical data.
Pesticides are applied
according to label rates
and locations
| Appli - cation is based on crop present. Rates are not in accord - ance with label rates and locations |
| Appli - cation is done by variable rate and is site specific on the field | Appli - cation is maximum level of appli - cation on whole field. | |||
| Product Selection
| All product is selected
based on the soil
pesticide interaction,
potential off - site
damages, and toxicity
to animals and humans.
| Selection of most of
the product applied is
based on the soil
pesticide interaction,
potential off - site
damages, and toxicity
to animals and humans.
| Selection of some of the product applied is based on the soil pesticide interaction` potential off - site damages, and toxicity to animals and humans. | None of the product applied is based on the soil pesticide interaction.` potential off - site damages, and toxicity to animals and humans. |
| Training in Pesticide Appli - cation | Person who handles
pesticides or pesticide
contaminated material
is certified thorough
state regulatory agency
and recommen - dations
followed.
| Operator has been certified through the state regulatory agency. | Pesticide applicator supervisor not certified through a state regulatory agency. | |
| Water
Manage - ment
| ||||
| Surface Runoff Reduction | All surface runoff
controlled with applied
conser - vation systems.
eq. filter strips, waterways, contour strip cropping residue management | Most (75%) of the surface runoff is controlled with applied conser - vation systems | Some (50%) of the surface runoff is controlled with applied conser - vation systems. | Uncon - trolled runoff. |
| Irrigation Efficiency | A state recom - mended irrigation scheduling program is followed | Some type of irrigation scheduling program is used that utilizes weather information and field measure - ment of evapor - transporation | Irrigation performed
when judged necessary
by land manager.
Decision is based on
past experience
combined with some
field measure - ments.
| Irrigation frequency is not based on any measured parameters |
| Subsurface Drainage | The quantity and
quality of the
subsurface drainage
discharge does not
adversely impact the
receiving waters
| The quality and quality of subsurface drainage discharge negatively impacts the receiving waters | ||
| Offsite Damage | Quantity and quality does not does not change as a result of farm use. | Quantity and quality of
water is slightly
changed but does not
have a negative impact
on downstream water
users, including natural
systems
| Quantity and/or quality of water is greatly changed and has a negative impact on other water users, including natural systems. | |
| Legal require - ments for water use | Good knowledge of purpose and require - ments of all applicable laws and regulations. | General knowledge of purpose and require - ments of laws and regulations | Not familiar with purpose and require - ments of laws and regulations | Not aware of laws and regulations regarding the use of water. |
| Land Use
| ||||
| Soil Capability | Soils are best suited for cropland use with no restric - tions | Soils are suited for cropland, but there are slight restric - tions on selection of crops and farming methods. | Soils are suited for
cropland but there are
moderate restric - tions
on the selection of
crops and farming
methods.
| Soils are not suited for cropland. There are severe restric - tions on the selection of crops and farming methods. |
| Wildlife
| ||||
| Food
| Some cropland areas
are planted to a mixture
that provides the
seasonal require - ments
for the wildlife species
desired. These areas
are not harvested
| Some cropland areas are planted to a single crop that provides some of the seasonal require - ments for the wildlife species desired. These areas are not harvested. | Plants are not selected
to provide the seasonal
require - ments, but do
provide some of the
require - ments
| Crop selections is done
with no regard to
impact on wildlife .
|
| Tillage methods in
cropland are such that
significant winter food
is left over winter
| Tillage methods in cropland are such that moderate winter food is left over winter | Tillage methods in cropland are such that fair amounts of winter food is left over winter | Tillage methods in cropland are such that little or no winter food is left over winter | |
| Cover or Shelter
| Areas are devoted to
Conser - vation Reserve
Program or other
similar retirement
program
| Some areas are left to
provide the seasonal
require - ments for the
wildlife species
desired. Cropland
areas are retired multi - year or some type of
cover estab - lishment.
| Some areas are left that
provide some of the
seasonal require- ments
for wildlife with no
regard for species
needs. Cropland is
retired annually with
some type of cover
estab - lishment.
| No areas are left that
provide any seasonal
require - ments for
wildlife. Cropping
systems provides no
cover in the spring.
|
| Fence rows and
roadside ditches are left
unburned or mowed for
the season
| Fence rows and roadside ditches are left unburned or not mowed until August 1. | Fence rows and roadside ditches are left unburned or not mowed until July 1 | Fence rows and roadside ditches are burnt or mowed any time after June 1 | |
| No - till or cover cropping assures available nesting cover in the spring. | Tillage is a single pass
with a chisel plow that
leaves significant levels
of residue in the fall
and over winter.
| Tillage is multiple
passes with a chisel
plow and other
implements that leaves
inadequate levels of
residue on the surface
of the soil over winter
| Tillage is fall mold - board plowing. | |
| Quantity and Quality
of Water
| Adequate quantities of
water of the desired
quality are provided for
the species desired
| Adequate quantities of
water of the required
quality are provided
most of the time except
during excessively dry
periods
| Adequate quantities of
water of the required
quality are provided
only seasonally.
| Adequate quantities of
water or the required
quality are not
supplied.
|
| Potential habitat
| Some wetland areas
have been maintained
or are planned to be
restored.
| Some wet areas are left
as is with no additional
drainage activities
planned.
|
Wet areas are planned
to be modified with
drainage activities, but
will not be cropped.
|
Wet areas are planned
to be modified and
cropped. There is not
regard for wildlife
needs.
|
This worksheet has been developed by the National Farm*A*Syst Office and the NRCS Material Development Team for Whole Farm and Ranch Conservation Planning. It is designed to serve as an example of whole farm and ranch worksheets that can be modified to fit individual state needs. For more information on this worksheet contact the National Farm*A*Syst Office at B 142 Steenbock Library, 550 Babcock Drive, Madison, WI 53706-1293, Phone (608) 262-0024.
July 24, 1998
Dennis Hoffman, Project Leader
Steve Dagitz, Webmaster