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Ranking Criteria Items

Updated 09/18/2008

A. Conservation Cover (327) and Pasture and Hayland Plantings (512)

• Cost-sharing is authorized for:
        -Any native grass planting.
        -Cropland conversion to native species.
        -Fescue, bromegrass, old world bluestems, bermudagrass and serecia lespedeza conversion to native grass species.

• Planting methods should be done according to the Conservation Cover (327) standard when the area is not being used for agricultural production. Planting methods should be done according to the Pasture and Hayland Planting (512) standard when the area is being used for pasture or hayland. Seeding rates and species for each ranking criteria under Section A. are as follows:
        A1) Seeding rates under this criteria shall be according to the “Grassland – Native Prairie Planting” section in the Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (645) standard. According to this section the planting mix should contain three pounds/acre total of at least three native grass species and two pounds/acre total of at least 4 native forb species.
        A2) Seeding rates and species for this criteria should be consistent with either the Grassland – Conservation Cover Planting or Pasture and Hayland Planting section of the Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (645) standard. According to these sections, the planting mix should contain three or more species including at least 5 pounds/acre total of one or more one native grasses and at least one legume.

• For native grass plantings, nutrient applications are authorized but not required. If nutrients are planned for native grasses, they will have to be added to the contract with a modification since nutrient costs are not included in the set per acre establishment cost. The modification should not be made until soil test results are available. Application rates will be based on soil tests except no nitrogen shall be applied.

• Post-planting herbicide applications, if needed, shall be added through a modification if the landowner concurs with the increased cost.


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