Using RUSLE2 and the SCI in the Conservation Security Program Dave Lightle Agronomist National Soil Survey Center Lincoln, Nebraska

Get Ready Ahead of Signup and Work Smart We cannot do specific field by field analysis with the limited TA we have. We cannot run analysis on a lot of fields to help the producer decide what to offer. Require the producer to have what he needs and to know what fields he is offering so one visit and one interview will do it. 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

Analyze the Watershed Identify several natural types of landscapes and develop “treatment groups” i.e., Flat bottomland Nearly level uplands Gently sloping uplands Moderately sloping uplands Steeply sloping uplands 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

Look at several soil properties such as: Slope ranges Soil Erodibility factor Soil Loss tolerance Yield potential Soil Texture Etc. 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

Decide on the typical treatment groupings for example: Flat bottomland and Nearly level uplands Gently sloping with Kf 0.20 to 0.28 Gently sloping with Kf 0.32 to 0.43 Moderately sloping uplands w/ Kf 0.2 to 0.28 Moderately sloping uplands w/Kf 0.32 to 0.43 Steeply sloping uplands w/Kf 0.32 to 0.43 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

Build and save the most common local cropping and tillage systems as local management files 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

Check management files for errors, for example: Trying to grow two crops at the same time. (The last one in “rules”) Adding manure or compost operations but neglecting to choose residue type or failing to enter amount of dry basis material or to adjust for 0.5 effectiveness of liquid and slurry materials. Entering field cultivators or harrows soon after planting that, in effect, “kill” the crop before it grows thus contributing no biomass. 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

Other common errors: Entering incorrect yields, especially with cover crops. Choosing the wrong planter, seeder or drill. Choosing the wrong harvest machine. Neglecting to check operation dates to insure they match the length of the rotation 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

Create and save RUSLE2 runs using the RUSLE2 Worksheet and utilize as “template runs” for each common treatment group This presets the following items in the heading to eliminate redundant key strokes and duplication Climate station Indicator soil Representative slope Each line represents a common management system combining: Crop rotation Tillage system Supporting practices 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

At the producer interview: Producer provides information about rotation and tillage system used, and etc. Producer indicates which fields are being offered. We locate the fields and review the maps and identify which treatment groups are involved. We group fields into management units having similar conditions. 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006 2. Crop W.L. 5. Crop F.S. W.L. 4. Crop

At the producer interview: Use “Dominant Critical” soil selection approach In this case, fields 3, 5, and 9 are in the Gently sloping group and all others are in the moderately sloping group or steeply sloping group. 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

Dominant Critical Area Determination Fields rarely are comprised of a single soil map unit with uniform topography. To insure that the treatment system is adequate for the significant parts of the field or conservation management unit, the "dominant critical area" needs to be identified. The dominant critical area is used to represent the entire field or Conservation Management Unit “CMU” for the purpose of managing that field or CMU. The erosion estimate, Soil Conditioning Index and STIR values and decisions are based on this "dominant critical area". 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

Dominant Critical Area This dominant critical area is nether the average of the site or landscape characteristics of the field, nor the worst case scenario, unless it is significantly large enough on which to base the management of the field. 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

271C3 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

Dominant Critical Area It is improper to base determinations on the largest common (dominant by extent) landscape in cases where it is the flattest and least erosive or has the highest SCI.  If one chose this landscape, the more sloping areas will be over rated (under treated).  Additionally, basing the determination on weighted average slope in the field is improper since it also over rates more limiting areas.  1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

271C3 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

Dominant Critical Area Some fields may have small insignificant areas of 10% or less of the field or less than a couple of acres that is much steeper and more erosive or have other resource issues. Such areas are critical but not dominant and it would be improper to base the eligibility determination for this area and apply it to the whole field. This would significantly under rate the field and would be impractical to the producer if we used this in Conservation Planning. 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

Dominant Critical Area In Conservation Planning, opportunities may exist to split out this area as a different conservation management unit and develop it as a wildlife area or recreation area with permanent cover or to apply additional supporting practices to the cropping and tillage practices planned for the critical significant area. (An enhancement opportunity) 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

At the producer interview: We select the closest matching management system and supporting practice(s) for the landscape group(s) in which the land falls and use the SCI and STIR values directly. (Optional for limited special cases or uncommon systems) We “boot” RUSLE2 and load the worksheets for the treatment groups on the farm in question. We “tweak” any necessary information select different crop adjust yield fine tune management Fine tune practices Run, save, and print 1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006

1/17/2019 CSP Training 2006