512 – Page 1 of 7
Forage & Biomass Planting
Pacific Islands Conservation Practice Jobsheet 512
NRCS, PI
March 2011
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 512 Jobsheet
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE Page 2 of 6
Definition
Establishing adapted and/or compatible species, varieties, or cultivars of herbaceous species suitable for pasture, hay, or biomass production.
Purpose
One of more of the following are purposes for implementing this practice:
Improve or maintain livestock nutrition and/or health; Provide or increase forage supply during periods of low forage production; Reduce soil erosion; Improve soil and water quality; Produce feedstock for biofuel or energy production.
Where used
This practice applies all lands suitable to the establishment of annual, biennial or perennial species for forage or biomass production. This practice does not apply to the establishment of annually planted and harvested food, fiber, or oilseed crops.
Resource management system
Forage and Biomass Planting is established as part of a conservation system to address the soil, water, air, plant, animal, and human needs as related to the owner’s goals and objectives. It is important to consider crop rotation, nutrient and pest management, agricultural waste utilization, soil quality concerns, and other supportive conservation practices when designing a planting.
Wildlife
Properly designed plantings can also provide food and escape cover for wildlife. Forage production and its management can enhance targeted wildlife objectives depending on the species and management practiced. Consider using forage species and that can provide food and cover for important wildlife at critical times of the year.
Specifications
Generalized requirements are listed on the specifications document, found in the Field Office Technical Guide. Site-specific requirements and provisions are entered on this jobsheet. Specifications are prepared in accordance with the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide.
Plant species and their cultivars are selected based upon climatic conditions, precipitation, growing season length, humidity levels, day length, radiation, heat, wind, temperature extremes and invasiveness potential.
If the invasiveness potential of a species suited to the site is 7 using the Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) ranking method, the State Rangeland Management Specialist or Assistant Director for Technology (or designee) must approve use of the specie(s) in writing. Go to the PIER website for detailed information at http://www.hear.org/pier/index.html .
Other considerations to include when selecting species are soil attributes such as pH, available water holding capacity, texture, aspect, slope, drainage class, fertility level, salinity, sodicity, depth, flooding and ponding, and levels of toxic elements that may be present.
The Pacific Islands Area Vegetative Guide (PI Vegetative Technical Note #7) provides seeding rate specifications and recommended cultivars for all vegetative practices and is required to be used for design purposes.
Seeding rates will be calculated based on a pure live seed (PLS) basis.
For planting mixtures of two or more species, determine the total pounds of PLS required by multiplying the full seeding rate of each species by the percentage desired within the total mixture.
Plant to proper depth ensuring seed or planting material will contact soil moisture uniformly (seed to soil contact).
Seedbed preparation should be completed that provides a firm, weed-free seedbed that eliminates seedling competition from weedy species.
NRCS, PI
March 2011
Forage and Biomass Planting 512 – Page 5 of 7
FOTG Section IV Jobsheet
Forage and Biomass Planting – Jobsheet
Participant: / Date Prepared:Tract(s): / TMK(s): / CIN(s):
Field(s): / Area Treated (acres):
Avg. Rainfall (in): / Avg. Pan Evaporation (in):
Elevation Range (ft): / Soil Map Units:
Planner Name: / JAA Level : / Job Class:
Purpose (check all that apply)
□ Forage production
/□ Reduce soil erosion and improve water quality
□ Improve or maintain livestock nutrition
/□ Balance forage supply/demand during low production times
□ Provide food and cover for wildlife
/□ Produce feedstock for biofuel or energy production
I. PLANNED SEEDING (Complete only if species planted will be seeded. Go to Section II if using Vegetative materials)
Plant Name/PIER score
(use common and scientific names, followed by the numerical PIER score)
(1) / Cultivar / Field Name or Number / LBS. PLS/Acre1
(pure stand)
(2) / Percent of Mixture
(3) / PLS/Acre Needed In Mixture (LBS.)
(col. 2 X col. 3)
(4) / Acres to be seeded
(5) / Total PLS Needed
(LBS.)
(col. 4 X col.5)
(6)
1 PLS (Pure Live Seed) = % Germination x % Purity
Invasiveness Considerations of Recommended Species (check one)
□ All recommended species rank <7 on the PIER score.
/□ One or more recommended species rank 7 on the PIER score. These have been approved for use by the State Rangeland Mgmt Specialist or the Assistant Director for Technology, as evidenced by signature below.
______
Approval for use of potentially invasive species Date
(signature of SRMS or ADT, or designee)
Seed Tags: For information on understanding seed tag data to assist in completion of the seeding tables, go to http://www.plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/pubs/idpmstn04265.pdf
II. PLANNED VEGETATIVE PLANTING
(Complete only if species are planted with vegetative material. Go to Section I if using seed)
Plant Name/PIER score
(use common and scientific names, followed by the numerical PIER score)
(1) / Cultivar / Field Name or Number / Spacing or
Planting Rate 2
(2) / Percent of Mixture
(3) / Acres to be planted
(4) / Total Bushels Needed
(col. 2 X col. 4)
(5)
2 For hand-planting or planting in furrows, place stolons in ground at a maximum spacing of 6-ft X 6-ft. For disked-in plant materials, use 40 bushels of material per acre (1 bushel = 1.25 cuft).
Invasiveness Considerations of Recommended Species (check one)
□ All recommended species rank <7 on the PIER score.
/□ One or more recommended species rank 7 on the PIER score. These have been approved for use by the State Rangeland Mgmt Specialist or the Assistant Director for Technology, as evidenced by signature below.
______
Approval for use of potentially invasive species Date
(signature of SRMS or ADT, or designee)
Details of Planting Requirements:
1. Planned Planting Dates:
Prior to or during the predominant rainy season, or during this time period:2. Seedbed Preparation: q cultivated seedbed q seed into stubble
q seed into chemical fallow q other seedbed prep.
Seedbed Preparation will consist of plowing or ripping, followed by disking where soil conditions permit. Prepare a firm, weed-free seedbed. Use no-till seeding methods and equipment where practical and possible. If planting large areas of sloping land, and not-till is not possible, establish new plantings in increments or strips alternating with undisturbed areas to minimize erosion.Additional seedbed preparation requirements, if any:
3. Fertilization:
If soil analysis (within the last year) shows a deficit of nitrogen, phosphorus and/or potassium, a light rate may be applied after planting, when plants have reached at least the 3-leaf stage of growth. Fertilizer rate recommendations will follow those provided by University of Hawaii, University of Guam, or other qualified entity.Soils Analyses: / N / P / K
Recommendations: / N / P / K
4. Seeding:
Small grass, forbs, and legume seed will be planted no deeper than ½ inch. Large grass seeds shall be planted no deeper than ¾ inch.Seeding Method to be used (check):
q Broadcast q Drill (no-till) q Aerial application q Drill (regular)
Planting implement(s):If the seed was broadcast, it is important to cover it with soil, no more than ½ inch deep.
5. Vegetative Planting:
Land preparation -- The land will be weed-free prior to planting. Where nodes will be buried, remove all plant litter or debris prior to planting. Leaving plant stubble or litter on the soil in-between planting locations is recommended to protect the soil surface from potential erosion.Planting requirements – The soil should be moist at the time of planting. It is very important that the nodes of all vegetative materials are planted firmly into the soil and covered. Use only fresh and recently acquired materials, and preferably with some roots already growing from nodes. Place the node(s) into the loosened ground to no more than 5-inches depth. Cover with fresh, loose soil, and press firmly with your foot. Follow the spacing shown on page 3, Planned Vegetative Planting table. Or adhere to the bushel requirements shown in that table.
6. Management of this planting during establishment will be in accordance with the following provisions:
Weed Control: q Chemical q Mow q Other
Recommendations, if applicable:Grazing:
Newly-planted pastures or hayland will not be grazed or harvested until the stand is well established and has reached the minimum height and stage of growth given in the specification for Prescribed Grazing (code 528). If a grazing plan (or 528-Prescribed Grazing jobsheet) has been prepared, follow the recommendations therein. If a grazing plan is not needed, follow the additional guidance provided below:Recommendations, if applicable:
Haying:
Recommendations, if applicable:Irrigation:
If natural precipitation is not adequate for the establishment of the selected species, supplemental water may be applied. The information below will help to ensure successful establishment:Method of irrigation: / Amount to apply:
Timing of irrigation applications:
Duration of irrigation applications:
· Always check soil moisture before and after each irrigation event. This will help you to make adjustments to the amount, timing and duration of irrigation events.
Other:
Recommendations, if applicable:7. Operation and Maintenance Requirements of this planting are in accordance with the following provisions:
§ If the stand is thinner than desired, plant into the bare spots by inter-seeding or sprigging.
§ Success of the practice shall be determined by evaluating overall plant establishment after sufficient time has passed to monitor the planting and gather reliable basal gap and stubble height data. Typical plantings require between 3 to 6 months before they can be evaluated for success.
§ The practice will be certified if the planting is considered to be established using stubble height data (refer to Tables 2 and 3, Prescribed Grazing-528 specification, “Minimum Height to Begin Grazing”).
§ Abnormal conditions following planting, such as drought, low vigor of desirable grasses, or invasion of undesirable plants may require extension of the grazing deferment period and/or additional treatments such as weed control or supplemental irrigation.
§ If the purpose of the planting is related to forage quantity or quality for livestock grazing, then a prescribed grazing plan will be implemented following treatment to encourage improvement of the desired plants in the community.
Client’s Acknowledgement (To be completed after practice I&E and design have been approved)
By signing below, I acknowledge that I:· have reviewed this Jobsheet and have an understanding of its contents and requirements;
· will make no changes to this Jobsheet, without prior concurrence of NRCS;
· will install, operate, and maintain this practice in accordance with this Jobsheet; and
· will obtain all necessary permits and/or rights, comply with all ordinances and laws, and notify all utilities pertaining to the installation, operation, and maintenance of the practice.
Signature / Date
NRCS, PI
March 2011
Forage and Biomass Planting 512 – Page 5 of 7
FOTG Section IV Jobsheet
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
PACIFIC ISLANDS PRACTICE CERTIFICATION SHEET
Forage & Biomass Planting (512)
area of treatment (acres): ______date of field visit for certification: ______photos attached
applied treatment [check method(s)]
Seeding Applied as designed (see table on page 2). Date Planted ______
Plant Species(a) / Cultivar / Acres Planted
(b) / Bulk
LBS. Planted
(c) / From Seed Tag
% Pure % Germ
(d) (e) / Total PLS
Planted (LBS.)
(col. c X col. d X col. e)
(f) / % Planted vs. Planned
(LBS.)
(col. f ÷ col. 6)
Attach a copy of the seed tag(s) for all seeded materials. If seed tag is not available, attach a copy of the seed analysis performed on the purchased/planted seed materials.
Vegetative Planting Applied as designed (see table on page 3). Date Planted ______
Plant Species(1) / Cultivar / Spacing or
Planting Rate
(2) / Percent of Mixture
(3) / Acres planted
(4) / Total Bushels Used
(col. 2 X col. 4)
(5)
Fertilization Applied as designed, or describe below:
Attach a copy of the soil test results for certification.
Management Items Applied as designed, or describe below:
treatment evaluation
Objectives met: Yes No
At the time of certification, the Seeded and/or Planted species met the minimum stubble height requirements before grazing as shown in Tables 2 and 3, Prescribed Grazing-528 specification, “Minimum Height to Begin Grazing”.
Wildlife habitat requirements were met, and cultural resources were protected (if applicable).
CERTIFICATION:
I hereby certify that this practice has been installed in accordance with NRCS standards and specifications.
NRCS Conservationist Job Approval Authority Date
NRCS, PI
March 2011