Transition fromIrrigated toDryland Farming andRanchingPlan Criteria

Practice/ActivityCode (134) (No.)

1.Definition

Dryland systems arethose, which describeproduction techniques underlimited precipitation and usuallysevereresource concernconstraints. The resource constraints includesoil erosion byboth wind andwater; periods ofwaterstress of significant duration; andlimited production inputs. A transition from irrigated to drylandfarmingandranchingconservation activityplan is aconservation system that focuses on cropyield sustainabilityand water conservation/waterharvesting techniques. A Transition to Dryland conservation activityplan must:

• Meet NRCSqualitycriteria forsoil erosion, waterquantity, and other identified resource concerns;

• Complywith federal, state, tribal, and local laws, regulations and permit requirements; and

• Satisfytheoperator’s objectives.

Producers maychoosetotransition from irrigatedto drylandfarmingand/or ranching for reasons that include,but arenot limited to:

• Reducing wateruse;

• Protectingthreatened orendangered species;

• Restoringflow to streams and improvingfisheries;

• Improvingirrigation watermanagement on otherland not in dryland system;

• Protectingorsecuringpresent water rights; and

• Continuingfarming/ranchingin drought conditions orifwaterrights are reduced orlost.

2. TransitionfromIrrigatedto DrylandPlan Technical Criteria

This section establishes theminimum criteriato be addressed in thedevelopment of Transition fromIrrigatedto Dryland Plans developed byacertified Technical Service Provider (TSP).

A. Completed the “Transition fromIrrigated to Dryland Plan (138)”template provided that includes the following required items:

B. Background and SiteInformation Element

• Nameofowner/operator;

• Farm location and mailingaddress;

• Soils Map and soil map units descriptions usingtheWeb Soil Survey aminimum printout theSoil ReportAOIInventoryMapUnit Descriptions

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• Digital Conservation plan map with;

1. Streams, surfacewaters,surfacedrainage, wetlands on or adjacent to site

2. Propertylines

3. Field Boundaries, name/number, acres, and landuse

4. Map scale

5. Structural PracticesLocated on Map

6. Legend

7. GrowerName, County, State

• Total acres oftheplan;

• Resource evaluations forsoil erosion, waterquality, waterquantity, and otherlocal concerns identified.

C. Planned conservation practices to address soil erosion, waterquantity, and otherlocal resourceorhuman concerns.

• Crop rotation plan – consider:

1. A crop succession ofsufficient intensityto assuremaximum useof effectiveprecipitation

2. A rotation diversityto promotegreaterstabilityand diminished external input requirements

3. Usingtillage and plantingmethods that reducesoil disturbance and renew dependenceoncultural practices that will reduce relianceon costlytechnology

• Otherpractices to address soil erosion, waterquantity,and otherresource concerns;

• List theplanned timings,rates, sources, and methods of application of crop nutrients and theresults ofsoil tests and/ortissuetests as appropriate fortheoperation;

D. Typical PracticeStandards to Transition fromIrrigated to DrylandFarming:

• Conservation Crop Rotation (328)

• CoverCrop (340)

• Contour Farming(330)

• Field Border(386)

• FilterStrip (393)

• Hedgerow Planting(422)

• Mulching(484)

• Pasture and Hayland Planting(512)

• Residue and TillageManagement, Mulch Till (345)

• ResidueManagement, No Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed (329)

• ResidueManagement, RidgeTill (346)

• ResidueManagement, Seasonal (344)

• Stripcropping(585)

• Windbreak/ShelterBeltEstablishment (380)

• Nutrient Management (590)

• Pest Management (595)

• Prescribed Grazing (528)

• Terrace(600)

• WaterHarvestingCatchment (636)

• Otherof engineeringtypepractices

E. References

• USDA Natural Resource Conservation ServiceNational AgronomyManual,

• NRCS(State Field OfficeTechnical Guide–FOTG) Select State, Go to SectionIV.

3. Deliverables for theClient– a hardcopy oftheplanthatincludes:

  • CompleteHardcopyofthe client’s plan (MSWordcopy)ofthe“Plan Template”. Document theplannedconservation practices showing the planned amount, the fields wherethepracticeis to be applied, and theplannedyearof application.
  • When the following practices are planned include the appropriate Jobsheet or Implementation Requirements (founding in Section IV of the State eFOTG):

Code / Practice Name
328 / Conservation Crop Rotation
340 / Cover Crop
345 / Residue and Tillage Management, Mulch Till
329 / Residue and Tillage Management, No Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed
346 / Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge Till
344 / Residue Management, Seasonal
484 / Mulching
512 / Forage and Biomass Planting
511 / Forage Harvest Management

• Completed template forTransitionfromIrrigatedto DrylandPlan(138)

• Soils Map and soil map units descriptions usingtheWeb Soil Survey aminimum printout theSoil Report >AOIInventoryMap Unit Descriptions

• Resource assessment results (wind and watererosion, waterquantity, and others identified resource concerns that maybeneeded)– completein thetemplateor add printouts from assessment tool (RUSLE2 orWEPS)

• Digital Conservation plan map with;

  1. Streams, surfacewaters,surfacedrainage, wetlands on or adjacent to site
  2. Propertylines
  3. Field Boundaries, name/number, acres, and landuse
  4. Map scale
  5. Structural PracticesLocated on Map
  6. Legend
  7. GrowerName, County, State

4. Deliverables forNRCSFieldOffice:

• CompleteHardcopyandElectronic copyofthe client’s plan (MSWordcopy and/or other appropriate digital copies of documents) and deliverables.

  • Digital Conservation Plan Map with fields, features, and structural practices located.

• Digital Soils Map

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