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Help please! Info needed re fertilizer, prairie plantings

The Iowa NRCS is proposing to require that Iowa landowners apply fertilizer 
and lime, according to a current soil test, on many plantings of native 
grasses and/or native grasses and forbs.   The plantings that would require 
soil tests and fertilizer/lime applications would be those plantings being 
established on land that had not been rowcropped for several years and did 
not have a history of regular fertilizer applications.   

Phosphorus and potassium would be required "according to soil test 
recommendations for warm season grass pasture and hay."  Nitrogen would be 
required only in association with phosphorus. 

The proposal is now on hold while the NRCS is shown established prairie 
plantings where fertilizer and lime were not used.    

Several Iowa prairie people have pointed out that their plantings were quite 
successful without any fertilizer or lime, including plantings done on both 
rich and poor soils that had not been rowcropped or fertilized for years.  
But what we need is specific information and evidence to present to the Iowa 
NRCS office by October 7th.   (Stating that "fertilizer isn't needed on 
prairie plantings," however accurate, won't be sufficient.) 

I apologize for having to make this request on short notice, at a time of 
year when most of us are very busy.  But if you can suggest literature 
references, or describe examples of relevant plantings, or provide other 
relevant information, that would be much appreciated.   Please send the 
information in such a way that it can be compiled and presented directly to 
the Iowa NRCS office with your name attached, without having to be edited or 
interpreted.   (But of course formal eloquence is not required!)   To the 
extent possible, reference suggestions will be followed up.  

Thanks very much!   

Cindy Hildebrand
grantridge@aol.com
57439 250th St.
Ames, IA  50010
515-232-3807

"...As far as I could see, the land billowed like a russet ocean, with 
scarcely a roof to fleck its lonely spread.   I cannot say that I liked or 
disliked it.   I merely marvelled at it... "   (Hamlin Garland)

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