Pike County Soil and Water Conservation District
Newsletter
CRP MAINTENANCE
Participants, in consultation with NRCS or TSP, have the choise of one (1) or more of the following three required MCM practices after a new grass stand is considered established.
- STRIP DISKING
Provides essential open habitat and promotes annual seed-producing plants. Disked strips (a maximum of 75 feet wide) are to be rotated with un-disked strips (2 times the disked width) across the field on the contour. Disking shall be 2 to 4 inches deep, and shall be performed on approximately one-third (1/3) of each contract field in any year. Disking shall be completed July 16th through December 31st.
- PRESCRIBED BURNING
Prescribed burning removes heavy thatch and encourages the growth of wildflowers, legumes, and seed-producing plants. Prescribed burns should be conducted on each contract acre on a 3-year rotation. In any one year, approximately one-third (1/3) of the contract acreage, including firebreaks, shall be burned. Producers are strongly encouraged to request a “Prescribed Burn Plan” well in advance of these dates from their local NRCS office.
Cool season grasses may be burned March 15th through April 30th
Native warm season grasses may be burned July 16th through March 15th.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Prescribed burning performed outside of the recommended dates for cool and/or warm season grasses will only be allowed when based on the recommendation of a Wildlife Management Plan that included an on-site visit. In no case will prescribed burning be allowed during the primary nesting season of May 1 to July 15 on either cool or warm season grasses.
- CHEMICAL APPLICATION
An application of herbicide can temporarily set back the growth of one grass species to allow for the growth of wildflowers, forbs, and legume species to increase the stand’s diversity. In any one year, herbicides may be applied on approximately 1/3 of each contract field. Herbicide application rates must be consistent with the label for the product for temporarily retarding vegetative growth without completely killing the species to be controlled.
NOTE: Chemical Applications – Native warm season grasses may be sprayed July 16th through September 15th. Cool season grasses may be sprayed March 15th through April 30th, or October 1st through December 1st.
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SUPERVISOR ELECTIONS HELD
Pike Co. SWCD Board Chairman, Jim Hubert presents appreciation awards
to retiring Board Members, Dan Graver and Maurice Illy
The Pike County Soil and Water Conservation District hosted an Open House on March 11, at the USDA Service Center in Bowling Green, to honor retiring board members Dan Graver and Maurice Illy. Dan and Maurice were both elected to the board of supervisors in 1992. During their tenure, nearly $3 million in conservation practices have been applied to Pike County land through the District, and many new educational activities and workshops for landowners have been implemented. Their years service to the landowners in our county is greatly appreciated.
In conjunction with the Open House, and election was held to fill the seats being vacated by Dan and Maurice. Rick Merritt and Kenneth Turpin were elected to fill those spots.
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SOIL JUDGING CONTEST HELD IN PIKE COUNTY
The Mike and Rhonda Pugh farm just south of New Hartford on Highway 161 was the site of this year’s High School Soil Judging Contest. Pike County SWCD played host to the annual tri-county event, held March 11, that includes students from Pike, Lincoln and Ralls counties. The FFA soil judging teams from each high school in those counties are invited to participate in the contest, as preparation for their state-level contests.
This year, teams from Troy, Elsberry and Clopton competed on three different pits on the Pugh farm. The team from Troy came away with top team and individual honors. The event was judged by Gary Noel, NRCS Area Soil Scientist, and the pit-digging was donated by Frank Worthington. Thanks to all who participated.
