Land Use: CROPLAND - Vegetables
State: Rhode Island
Existing Conditions
Well drained sandy loam fields that are irrigated. Drought, wind erosion, and ephemeral gully erosion are major resource concerns. Cash crops include potatoes, tomatoes, and squashes. Misapplication of irrigation water causes soil erosion. Over application of nitrogen has accounted for Nitrate-N in the groundwater. There is inadequate wildlife habitat since most field boundaries have been removed for irrigation purposes.
Resource Concerns / Air quality - dust / Animal habitat / Cost effectiveness -high inputs / Ephemeral gully erosion / Irrigation - water / Irrigation induced erosion / Nutrients in groundwater / Nutrient management - mismanagement / Wind erosion / Cultural ResourcesProposed Practices
Conservation crop Rotation / - / + / + / + / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / + / 0
Critical Area Planting / + / + / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / 0
Nutrient Management / 0 / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / ++ / + / 0 / 0
Pest Management / 0 / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0+ / 0
Irrigation Water Management / ++ / 0 / ++ / + / ++ / ++ / + / + / + / 0
Residue Management - Mulch till / + / + / 0 / + / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / + / 0
Wildlife Upland Habitat Management / + / ++ / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Symbol Effect: - Detrimental 0 Negligible+ Beneficial++ Significant effect
Existing Conditions
Nearly level, slightly rolling fields that are row cropped and fall tilled. Has some evidence of sheet erosion but less than tolerable levels. Maintaining soil tilth and organic matter are the main concerns. Inclusions of standing water delay field operations. Phosphorus levels exceed 300 pound/acre and oil attached phosphorus causes algae blooms when transported to surface waters. Air resource concerns are negligible. There is not sufficient food and shelter for small game.
Resource Concerns / Water quantity - wet spots / Animal habitat - absence of food and cover / Nutrient management - over fertilization / Nutrients & organics in surface water algae bloom / Crusting and low organic matter / Maintain USDA base acreage / Crusting and low organic matter / Maintain USDA base acreage / Cultural ResourcesProposed Practices
Conservation
Crop Rotation / 0 / + / 0 / + / + / + / + / + / 0
Mulch till -
Residue Management / 0 / + / 0 / + / + / 0 / + / 0 / 0
Nutrient
Management / 0 / 0 / ++ / ++ / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Pest Management / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Subsurface
drain / ++ / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / -/0
Land Use: CROPLAND - Vegetable
State: Rhode Island
Existing Conditions
These fields are gently sloping cropland. Sheet and rill erosion is present. Fertilizer is being applied in excess of crop needs. Pesticides are being applied at maximum rates. Wildlife cover is adequate, but little food is available.
Resource Concerns / Air quality - dust / Excess fertilizer in soil / Excess pesticide (s) in soil / Nutrient management / Nutrients and organics in ground water / Nutrients and organics in surface water / Pesticide (s) in ground water / Cultural ResourcesProposed Practices
Conservation crop Rotation / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Nutrient Management / 0 / + / 0 / ++ / + / + / 0 / 0
Pest Management / 0 / 0 / ++ / 0 / 0 / 0 / ++ / 0
Seasonal Residue Management / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Wildlife Upland Habitat Mgmt. / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Symbol Effect: - Detrimental 0 Negligible+ Beneficial++ Significant effect
Resource Concerns / Pesticide (s) in surface water / Plant pests / Plants Productivity / Sheet and rill erosion / Social considerations - other / Wildlife cover- shelter / Wildlife food requirements / Cultural ResourcesProposed Practices
Conservation crop Rotation / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / + / 0 / + / 0
Nutrient Management / 0 / 0 / + / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / 0
Pest Management / ++ / ++ / 0 / 0 / ++ / 0 / 0 / 0
Seasonal Residue Management / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / 0 / + / + / 0
Wildlife Upland Habitat Mgmt. / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / - / ++ / ++ / 0
Symbol Effect: - Detrimental 0 Negligible+ Beneficial++ Significant effect
Existing Conditions
Gently to moderately sloping fields in the central claypan area. Excessive soil erosion and high nutrient and pesticide use in cropping areas. Wildlife needs are being met with natural vegetation in fence rows and brushy draws. No major water or air resource concerns.
Resource Concerns / Ephemeral gully erosion / Excess fertilizer in soil / Excess pesticide (s) in soil / Farm/ranch financial condition / Sheet and rill erosion / Cultural ResourcesProposed Practices
Conservation Crop Rotation / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / 0
Contour Farming / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / 0
Nutrient Management / 0 / + / 0 / ++ / 0 / 0
Pest Management / 0 / 0 / ++ / ++ / 0 / 0
Seasonal - Residue Management / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / 0
Terrace / + / 0 / 0 / - / + / -
Underground Outlet / 0 / 0 / 0 / - / 0 / -/0
Land Use: CROPLAND - Vegetable
State: Rhode Island
Existing Conditions
These fields are moderately sloping and are being farmed with an intensive crop rotation. Pesticides are being applied at maximum rates. Fertilizers are being applied in excess of crop needs. Wildlife cover is adequate. Water quality is impaired by sediments, pesticides and fertilizers.
Resource Concerns / Annual nitrogen applied / Excess fertilizer in soil / Excess pesticide (s) in soil / Pesticide (s) in surface water / Sheet and rill erosion / Suspended sediment/turbid surface water / Cultural ResourcesProposed Practices
Conservation crop Rotation / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / + / 0
Contour Farming / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / + / + / 0
Nutrient Management / ++ / ++ / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Pest Management / 0 / 0 / ++ / ++ / 0 / 0 / 0
Residue Management - No Till / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / ++ / + / 0
Terrace / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / ++ / -
Underground Outlet / 0 / 0 / 0 / - / 0 / + / -/0
Symbol Effect: - Detrimental 0 Negligible+ Beneficial++ Significant effect
Land Use: CROPLAND - Orchards / Vineyards
State: Rhode Island
Existing Conditions
Moderately sloping claypan fields have low organic matter and slow infiltration resulting in reduced plant vigor. Sheet and rill erosion and ephemeral gullies are present. Woody draws provide wildlife habitat. Water and air concerns are minimal.
Resource Concerns / Ephemeral gully erosion / Sheet and rill erosion / Tilth, crusting, infiltration, organic / Cultural ResourcesProposed Practices
Conservation Crop Rotation / 0 / + / + / 0
Critical Area Planting / + / ++ / + / 0
Grassed Waterway / ++ / + / 0 / -/0
Residue Mgmt. - No Till / + / ++ / + / 0
Symbol Effect: - Detrimental 0 Negligible+ Beneficial++ Significant effect
Land Use: CROPLAND - Annual Row Crop
Grain Corn (residue left)
State: Rhode Island
Existing Conditions
Moderately sloping fields that are being row cropped and have evidence of excessive sheet and rill erosion, ephemeral gully erosion, chemical drift, nutrient and sediment pollution in surface water and inadequate wildlife cover.
ResourceConcerns / Airborne
Chemical drift / Ephermal gully erosion / Nutrient Management / Nutrients & organics -surface water / Sheet & rill erosion / Suspended sediment - surface water / USDA program participation / Wildlife cover- shelter / Cultural Resources
Proposed Practices
Conservation
Crop Rotation / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / + / + / + / + / 0
Grassed Waterway / 0 / ++ / 0 / + / + / + / 0 / + / -/0
Nutrient Management / 0 / 0 / ++ / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Pest Management / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Residue Management - No till / - / ++ / 0 / 0 / ++ / ++ / 0 / + / 0
Wildlife Upland Habitat Management / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / ++ / 0
Symbol Effect: - Detrimental 0 Negligible+ Beneficial++ Significant effect
Existing Conditions
Undulating and rolling fields that are cropped. Wet soils in natural drainage ways are a nuisance to cross. Erosion control is needed on sloping in the wet areas. Fence rows have been removed to allow important wildlife cover. Poor tilth and crusting reduce plant population, health and vigor. Air resource concerns are negligible.
ResourceConcerns / Air Quality - other / Animal habitat / Economic considerations / Ephemeral gully erosion / Plant health and vigor / Seeps / Sheet and rill erosion / Poor soil structure / Total P Leaving the field / Cultural Resources
Proposed Practices
Conservation Crop Rotation / NA / + / - / + / + / 0 / ++ / + / + / 0
Subsurface drain / NA / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / + / 0 / + / + / -/0
Nutrient Management / NA / 0 / + / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / ++ / 0
Pest Management / NA / 0 / + / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Residue Management - No till / NA / + / + / + / - / 0 / ++ / + / + / 0
Wildlife Upland Habitat Management / NA / ++ / 0 / 0 / 0 / - / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Water and sediment control basin / NA / - / - / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / -/0
Land Use: CROPLAND - Annual row crop
Silage corn (w/out cover crop)
State: Rhode Island
Existing conditions
Due to steep slope, these soils are not well suited to row crops. Resource concerns include: Gully erosion, sheet and rill erosion, low organic matter, phosphorus transported to surface waters causing algae blooms, lack of wildlife habitat and maintaining USDA Base Acres.
Resource Concerns / Ephermal gully Concerns / Wildlife habitat - acres / Nutrient Management - over fertilization / Nutrients & organics - surface water - algae bloom / Low organic matter / Maintain USDA base acreage / Sheet and rill erosion / Cultural ResourcesProposed Practices
Cover Crop / + / 0 / + / + / + / 0 / + / 0
Conservation
Crop Rotation / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / + / + / 0
No-till Residue Management / ++ / + / 0 / + / + / 0 / ++ / 0
Nutrient Management / 0 / 0 / ++ / ++ / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Pest Management / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Subsurface Drain / + / 0 / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / + / -/0
Grade Stabilization Structure / + / 0 / 0 / + / 0 / - / 0 / -/0
Grassed Waterway / + / + / 0 / + / 0 / - / + / -/0
Wildlife Upland Habitat Management / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Symbol Effect: - Detrimental 0 Negligible+ Beneficial++ Significant effect
Existing Conditions
Moderately deep soils with undulating slopes that are cash cropped. Sheet, rill and wind erosion exceeds tolerable levels. Droughts can cause yield loss in corn and soybeans. Air quality concerns are negligible. Nutrient management for nitrogen is needed. There is insufficient wildlife shelter. Maintaining Program Base Acres is the farmer's objective.
Resource Concerns / Wind Erosion / Nutrient management / Sheet and rill erosion / USDA base acreage / Water quality concerns - other / Wildlife cover - shelter / Cultural ResourcesProposed Practices
Conservation Crop Rotation / + / 0 / + / + / 0 / 0 / 0
Nutrient Management / 0 / ++ / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Pest Management / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Residue Management - No Till / ++ / 0 / ++ / 0 / + / + / 0
Wildlife Upland Habitat Mgmt. / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Land Use: CROPLAND - Annual Row Crop
Grain Corn
State: Rhode Island
Existing Conditions
Cropland fields are moderately sloping. Sheet and rill erosion and gullies are present. Sediment reduces quality of run-off water. Crops are managed for yield and vigor. Wildlife cover is present. Air quality is not adversely impacted.
Resource Concerns / Classic gully erosion / Ephemeral gully erosion / Sheet and rill erosion / Suspended sediment/turbid surface water / Cultural ResourcesProposed Practices
Cover crop / + / ++ / + / + / 0
Conservation Crop Rotation / 0 / + / + / + / 0
Contour Farming / 0 / ++ / + / + / 0
Grassed Waterway / ++ / + / 0 / 0 / -/0
Residue Management - No Till / 0 / + / ++ / + / 0
Symbol Effect: - Detrimental 0 Negligible+ Beneficial++ Significant effect
Existing Conditions
This system is a standard cropping and tillage system for areas with moderate rainfall, claypan soils and significant dry periods during the summer months. Soil erosion and low crop yields are major concerns.
Resource Concerns / Classic gully erosion / Ephemeral gully erosion / Plants productivity / Sheet and rill erosion / Suspended sediment/turbid surface water / Water quantity - other / Cultural ResourcesProposed Practices
Conservation Crop Rotation / 0 / + / + / + / + / 0 / 0
Contour Farming / 0 / + / + / + / + / + / 0
Grassed Waterway / ++ / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / -/0
Residue Mgmt. - Mulch Till / 0 / + / + / + / + / + / 0
Terrace / + / + / + / + / + / + / -
Underground Outlet / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / -/0
Symbol Effect: - Detrimental 0 Negligible+ Beneficial++ Significant effect
Existing Conditions
Corn Small Grain rotation, spring chisel and disk system leaving 0-10% residue cover after planting. All field operations are performed up and down the hill. Sheet and rill erosion exceeds T. Ephemeral and classic gullies may be present. Excessive nutrients and herbicides that are highly water soluble are being applied. Wildlife cover is lacking.
Resource Concerns / Classic gully erosion / Ephemeral gully erosion / Nutrients and organics in surface water / Pesticide (s) in surface water / Sheet and rill erosion / Wildlife cover - shelter / Cultural ResourcesProposed Practices
Conservation Crop Rotation / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / + / 0 / 0
Grassed Waterway / ++ / + / 0 / 0 / 0 / + / -/0
Nutrient Management / 0 / 0 / ++ / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Pest Management / 0 / 0 / 0 / ++ / 0 / 0 / 0
Residue Mgmt. - Mulch Till / 0 / + / 0 / 0 / + / + / 0
Wild life Upland Habitat Mgmt. / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / ++ / 0