Enhancing CRP With Native Species: P RACTICAL EXPERIENCES

1. Enhancing CRP With Native Species: PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES KURT MERG WDFW for MEL ASHER and JERRY BENSON BFI Native Seeds, Moses Lake, Washington

2. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) • Goals: • Protect Soil • Protect Water • Provide Habitat for Wildlife

3. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

4. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

5. Conservation Reserve Program(CRP) • Wildlife Value has lagged Soil & Water Value • Little variety • Low value to wildlife

6. Diversity: Key to Wildlife Value • Structure and Species • Long-lasting Diversity • Native species

7. Diversification • Improve habitat for wildlife • Sage-grouse broods use areas rich in forbs (Drut et al. 1994; Apa 1998) • Forbs contributed 20 to 50% to the diet of pre-laying sage-grouse hens (Barnett and Crawford 1994) • Sharp-tailed grouse use areas that contain a high diversity of forbs and bunchgrasses (Hart et al. 1950, Klott and Lindzey 1989, Meints 1991)

8. Background • Methods developed by WDFW/BLM/BFI “trial and error” converting CRP plantings to native species • CRP was typically crested wheatgrass or other introduced grasses, and invasive annuals • Approach requires multiple steps and a combination of chemical and mechanical controls • Currently in use to convert approx 40,000 acres of CRP in WA for SAFE

9. For Reference Benson, J., R.T. Tveten, M. G. Asher and P.W. Dunwiddie. 2011. Shrub-Steppe and Grassland Restoration Manual for the Columbia River Basin http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01330/

10. Methods • Site Preparation – Adaptive Process used to accomplish the following goals: • Control of existing vegetation • Depletion of weed seed bank • Preparation of seed bed for planting

11. Mowing • Timing – Summer following seed shatter • Rotary Blade Mower

12. Harrowing • Light tillage with a heavy spring-tine harrow • Timing - Fall

13. Chemical Fallow • Mid-Spring Heavy Glyphosate (6-8 inches tall) • 3.3 kg a.i. / ha Glyphosate (3 qt/ac Round-Up Pro) with AMS and NIS

14. Deep Tillage • Some CRP species and dense crested wheatgrass may require tillage for better control • Breaks up sod, exposes rhizomes • Sweep-chisel or moldboard plow • One week following heavy mid-spring herbicide application • Tillage is typically following by harrowing

15. Chemical Fallow • Summer • 1.1 kg a.i. / ha Glyphosate (1 qt/ac Round-Up Pro) + 0.1 kg a.i. / ha Dicamba (2-3 oz/ac) with AMS and NIS

16. Ready to Plant… • Fall Glyphosate • 0.5 kg a.i. ha / kg (1 pt/ac Round-Up Pro) with AMS and NIS

17. Seeding • Dormant seeding with TruAx Flex II • Seeding depth ranges from ¼ - ½ inches

18. Grass Seed Mixes

19. Spring After Grass Planting

20. Spring After Grass Planting • Timing – Later spring – 50% of rosettes are 2-3 inches • MCPA and Bromoxynil • Add mild SU like Express for purple mustard control

21. Spring After Grass Planting

22. Post-Plant Cheatgrass Control • Prior to seeded species emergence • 0.25 kg a.i. / ha (8 oz/acre Round-Up Pro) + AMS and NIS • Just after seeded species emergence • 0.1 kg a.i. / ha (3-4 oz/acre Round-Up Pro)

23. Summer After Grass Planting • Depending spring rain, a follow-up application or mowing is often required to control weed flushes

24. Forb Inter-seeding • Forbs are drilled the fall after grass seeding

25. Forb Seed Mixes

26. Follow-Up Weed Control • Spot spraying • Mowing

27. Three Years Post Seeding

28. Long-Term Success

29. Notes on Forb/Shrub Inter-seeding • Species readily established by seed include: • Fleabane daisies • Balsamroot • Yarrow • Silky lupine • Lewis’ flax • Sagebrush

30. Estimated Cost Per Acre in SAFE

31. Summary • Involves a multi-year, adaptive process • Site preparation takes approx 15 months, and involves at least 4 steps • Seedbed depletion is critical • Staged plantings are current method

32. But, stay tuned…