Convert RUSLE Mgt to WEPS Skel Files & Update Mgt Data Files

1. Convert RUSLE Mgt to WEPS Skel Files & Update Mgt Data Files Step by Step Procedure for State Level Staff

2. Convert RUSLE Mgt to WEPS Skels • What is a Skel file? Answer: It is a management file originally created in RUSLE2 in a stripped down format that allows it to be converted for use in WEPS. It contains only the basics. • Dates of the management operations • Operation Names • Crop Names • None of the RUSLE operation, vegetation or residue parameter data comes over, only the names

3. Convert RUSLE Mgt to WEPS Skels • The file looks like this: Not very exciting!

4. Converting RUSLE Mgt files to Skels and then to WEPS Mgt files • Files can be converted one at a time or recursively for a complete directory. • Management Templates have been created in RUSLE2 by State Agronomists, coordinated by the CMZ Leader in each CMZ, and sent to the National Database manager to be posted to the RUSLE2 Website. • We have converted all 24,000+ of these Management Templates for use in WEPS through a two step RUSLE2 to Skel and Skel to WEPS process.

5. Converting RUSLE Mgt files to Skels and then to WEPS Mgt files • The WEPS Management files resulting from the Skel to WEPS conversion posted by CMZ on the WEPS website. http://www.weru.ksu.edu/nrcs/wepsnrcs.html and Sub-Directory; /nrcs/downloads/WEPS database files/NRCS_SKEL_Files • In the future, as new CMZ sets of RUSLE2 managements are sent in for posting, the files will also be converted and posted both as Skel files on the RUSLE2 website as well as WEPS managements on the WEPS website. • State level staff will rarely ever need to work with skels made from the CMZ databases mentioned above. • State level staff can, when trained, convert additional RUSLE2 files to Skel files, convert these Skel files into WEPS managements and send them to the FO for use in the WEPS model. • Most FOs will save commonly used management to a local directory on the service center server or on the C: local drive.

6. Convert RUSLE Mgt to Skels • Let’s start the process by opening up RUSLE • Open the Mgt Editor in RUSLE (yellow tablet on the main tool bar) Find and Select the Mgt file you want to convert. We will use “Corn, CMZ 34”.

7. Convert RUSLE Mgt to WEPS Skels Now Click the File, Export, Current management to NRCS format ….

8. Convert RUSLE Mgt to WEPS Skels RUSLE now ask you where you want to save the converted file. I like to place it in the WEPS skel subdirectory.

9. Convert RUSLE Mgt to WEPS Skels Use the black down arrow to click your way up and then back down to the WEPS skel subdirectory. When you have the correct subdirectory highlighted, click the save button.

10. Convert Skels to WEPS Mgt Files • Close RUSLE and open WEPS • Open MCREW (it does not matter if there is a management loaded or not). • Click Tools, Convert NRCS XML Mgt to WEPS format, and select individual files

11. Convert Skels to WEPS Mgt Files • WEPS now asks you which skel file do you want to convert to a WEPS management file. • Pick the Corn, CMZ 34.skel file we just made from RUSLE Now Click the Select Files button.

12. Convert Skels to WEPS Mgt Files • Now WEPS will ask us where we would like to save the converted file. We will assume this is a locally developed RUSLE file and put it in the local mgt directory (man, local) in WEPS. • Click the down arrow, navigate to and Choose Directory Wanted a different subdirectory, WEPS allows us to create one using the folder icon.

13. Convert Skels to WEPS Mgt Files • If all has gone well WEPS will return a message 1 WEPS Management File Created. • Click OK

14. What to do when WEPS can not find a file. • Occasionally you may fine that an operation or a crop is not in the WEPS DBs. In that case WEPS will bring up a screen to allow you to pick a substitute for the missing file.

15. What to do when WEPS can not find a file, cont. • The user can right click on the pink cell and get a list of crops or operations that can be used as a substitute for the missing file. • In this case Corn, grain was selected for the Corn, grain 38 in rows. It will turn green. • After making the selection click the “Apply Last Change (All Files) to keep from having to make the change all other occurrences. • You should also let the Wind Erosion Specialist know so the translation file can be fixed.

16. Convert Skels to WEPS Mgt Files • What do you do when good things go bad? • Not all the same Crops (vegetations) and Operations that exist in RUSLE2 are built in WEPS. In these cases, the operation or crop is linked to a slightly different crop or operation using a translator. • Some operations call in a crop called “no crop”

17. Convert Skels to WEPS Mgt Files WEPS brings up this window when it hits something that needs to be fixed before it can make the new management file. By the name of the is file we see that alfalfa should be the next crop growing, or in this case released. Let’s see if we can find a WEPS alfalfa file representing a crop released after harvesting a nurse crop.

18. Convert Skels to WEPS Mgt Files We were able to find a crop to add to the file called Alfalfa, released growing crop. RUSLE2 files that used a “Begin growth” operation or an operation other than a planter or drill that called in a new vegetation, will need to have crops added to the WEPS management file because of the difference between RUSLE and WEPS. Click, OK to continue.

19. Convert Skels to WEPS Mgt Files Sometimes WEPS will not find any file to match to. In this case Flower, seed is not in the current WEPS crop file.

20. Convert Skels to WEPS Mgt Files You have several options. You can skip this file altogether and not convert it. You can stop and have the wind erosion specialist build a file for you, or you can pick a similar crop to match it to. In this case we will match it to Onion seed production using the black down arrow pull down. Click the OK button to go to the next record.

21. Convert Skels to WEPS Mgt Files • If you covert a file from RUSLE to WEPS that already exists in the subdirectory you have just chosen, then WEPS will give you some options: • You can choose to overwrite the existing file. • You can rename the new copy you are making • Or you can skip the file.

22. Convert Skels to WEPS Mgt Files • You may have to wait for WEPS to finish. There may not be any sign on the screen that WEPS is doing anything. • If you ask WEPS to convert one file you will see the box below. It is telling you there was only one file converted. The name and directory to the file is listed.

23. Convert Skels to WEPS Mgt Files • Summary • If you need operations, and or crops that are not listed, call your National Technology Support Center Agronomist • If they are not available, and the need is urgent, call the National Wind Erosion Specialist. Currently that would be Mike Sporcic at 817-509-3213, Fort Worth, TX (Michael.Sporcic@ftw.usda.gov) • Once a new operation or crop is developed, reviewed and approved, it will be added to the official NRCS WEPS Crops or Operations Database and posted to the WEPS website where it is consistently available to all WEPS users.

24. Updating WEPS Management Files • Update Mgt Files is similar to a “RUSLE update database file” in that it contains different data for operation and crop files that has or will be used in management files. • The difference is that WEPS has actually saved a copy of the operations and crop files in each management while RUSLE saves only the link or pathway to each dependent record. • The idea here is to update your management template files with the new operation and / or crop files. • Updating the management template files when new operations and crops data is available is critical to keeping WEPS answers consistent from office to office.

25. Updating WEPS Management Files • During this first year of rollout many things will change as we improve the model. • As with RUSLE2, the databases will be frequently updated and added to. • As edits are made in the national WEPS crop and operations databases, State IT and Technical staff will be asked to update part or all of the WEPS Crop and Operation database files. • Eventually we want to automatically “push” database updates out to all WEPS users using the SMS process. • You may then want to run the Update Mgt Files routine in MCREW to finish up the process of adding these new files to the managements in your database. • Remove the old zipped crop and operation files as you add the new one. Do not unzip the files.

26. Updating WEPS Management Files • Here is how to do it. • First, copy in all the changes and updates in the crops and operations databases to the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\USDA\WEPS\Databases\nrcs\cropsor the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\USDA\WEPS\Databases\nrcs\operationsfolders. Then remove the old files in those directories. it will be a zip file with an old date. • Second, open up the mgt editor and click tools, Update WEPS Management files, select directory (recursive) on the toolbar.

27. Update Mgt Files • This takes you to a screen that will allow you to select the subdirectory you want to update with the current crop and operation files. • BE CAREFUL, once you update a template management directory it can not be undone. • You may find it handy to archive (make a copy) of the current set of managements to a dated subdirectory before you do the update.

28. Update Mgt Files • If you click Choose Directory, WEPS will run though all management files in the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\USDA\WEPS\Databases\nrcs\man • You can use the file up and or the down arrow to move around in the directory system. The black pull down work also. Whatever is highlighted is the directory that will be updated (all files in it)

29. Update Mgt Files • And then comes that serious warning I mentioned earlier. • Say no and back up (copy them) your current records to another location if you need to, then come back and make the update.

30. Update Mgt Files • You may have to select a different operation or crop as when we converted the skel files the screens look the same. • When you finish there will be a message that tells you how many files were updated.

31. Warning • You need to know that all of the yield values will be reset to the crop defaults as you do a DB update. • Users will need to get used to looking at the yields when making runs. • And the Bio Adjustment Factors will be reset to 1.0. This means that if you update the local management directory you will need to recalibrate them by making a re-run.

32. Update Mgt Files • Summary Update Mgt Files • Until we have a better way to update, each state will have the responsibility to keep current on the changes that come along. • Until we have the ability to “push” database updates out with SMS, the National Wind Erosion Specialist will notify the Rgional Agronomists, State Agronomists or State Erosion Specialists when new operations and crops have been posted to the WEPS website and it is time to update the database on all workstations. • Once the new operations and crops are loaded, then the Management file update can be performed as well.

33. Update Mgt Files • Summary Update Mgt Files, cont. • Nationally, the official set of WEPS management templates will also be updated with the current operations and crops and reposted to the WEPS website. • The National Database Manager will notify the State and Regional Specialist that there is a new CMZ update as new rotation are added and converted to WEPS format. • The field can then download the appropriate CMZ sets and update the local database or the State Specialist can download them and forward the appropriate CMZ sets to the Field Offices with the instructions to place them in the S: drive or common shared drive or on the individual pcs if it will be used separate from the network.