This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

mowing?burning?

Chris,
I didn't pursue Pheasants Forever cost share because I did get the acres
into CRP. I had enough to do with trying to convince NRCS/FSA of what I
am trying to do, plant real prairie. The FSA did cost share some of the
grasses (about 1/10 of the cost of the project) but with the usual
warnings about payback if it doesn't work. No one will even consider
cost share of any forbs nor will they cost share the slightly added cost
of local eco-type grass.
There was a real scare a month ago when someone within the USDA said
that there would be no mowing of newly established seeding between May
15 and July 15 (nesting season). That has always been allowed. But there
was a big meeting among Washington DC officials from FSA, NRCS, FWS,
Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited on March 26, 1997 on the issue of
maintenance of CRP during primary nesting season and it was determined
that mowing could take place until establishment. I was greatly relieved
and no longer had to send letters to everyone involved, protesting.
However, I have asked for clarification as I want to mow for two years,
the first year at 4"-8", and the second at 8"-12". There has been some
information saying that mowing during the establishment (paper presented
by Carl Kurtz at the Kansas Prairie Conference, 1992)increases
diversity, especially of the less competitive species. 
I'm still unsure about burning. Burning seems to favor the grasses and
that is really not what I wish to do. I want to give the forbs every
possible advantage, at least to begin with.
One of the native prairies I collected from has never been burned. Some
parts of it have been grazed and mowed. There are grasses of course, but
not much coming to seed. Lots and lots of forbs tho.
Any thoughts?
MJ Hatfield


However, I
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PRAIRIE.
References:
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index