Seed or plug nectar and pollen producing plants in non-cropped areas such as field borders, vegetative barriers, contour buffer strips, grassed waterways, shelterbelts, hedgerows, windbreaks, conservation cover, and riparian forest and herbaceous buffers. Download full enhancement activity E327136Z1 (PDF, 203KB)
Enhancement Code and Name
E327136Z2
Establish Monarch butterfly habitat
Conservation Practice 327: Conservation Cover
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Associated Ag Land; Farmstead
Conservation cover to provide cover and shelter habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects
Conservation Practice 327: Conservation Cover
Applicable Land Use
(Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Forest; Associated Ag Land; Farmstead
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Seed or plug nectar and pollen producing plants in non-cropped areas such as field borders, vegetative barriers, contour buffer strips, grassed waterways, shelterbelts, hedgerows, windbreaks, conservation cover, and riparian forest and herbaceous buffers. Download full enhancement activity E327137Z (PDF, 203KB)
Enhancement Code and Name
E327139Z
Conservation cover to provide habitat continuity for pollinators and beneficial insects Conservation Practice 327: Conservation Cover
Seed or plug nectar and pollen producing plants in non-cropped areas such as field borders, vegetative barriers, contour buffer strips, grassed waterways, shelterbelts, hedgerows, windbreaks, conservation cover, and riparian forest and herbaceous buffers.
Improved resource conserving crop rotation to reduce water erosion
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Improve an existing Resource Conserving Crop Rotation. Must enrich an existing rotation which already includes AT LEAST one resource conserving crop as determined by the State Conservationist in a minimum three year crop rotation. The crop rotation will reduce soil erosion (water and wind), improve soil health, improve soil moisture efficiency, and reduce plant pest pressures. Download full enhancement activity E328101I (PDF, 193KB)
Enhancement Name
E328101R
Resource conserving crop rotation to reduce water erosion
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Establish a Resource Conserving Crop Rotation. Rotation must include AT LEAST one resource conserving crop as determined by the State Conservationist in a minimum three year crop rotation. The crop rotation will reduce soil erosion (water and wind), improve soil health, improve soil moisture efficiency, and reduce plant pest pressures. Download full enhancement activity E328101R (PDF, 193KB)
Enhancement Name
E328101Z
Conservation crop rotation on recently converted CRP grass/legume cover for water erosion
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Implement a crop rotation management system on crop land acres that have recently converted from CRP grass/legume conservation cover to annual planted crops. Crop rotation minimizes disturbance resulting in a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) less than 10 and reduces soil erosion from water to below soil tolerance (T) level. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document the rotation, soil erosion estimate, and STIR calculations. *This enhancement is limited to acres where the conversion event took place not more than 2 years prior. Enhancement not applicable on hayland. Download full enhancement activity E328101Z (PDF, 194KB)
Enhancement Name
E328102I
Improved resource conserving crop rotation to reduce wind erosion
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Improve an existing Resource Conserving Crop Rotation. Must enrich an existing rotation which already includes AT LEAST one resource conserving crop as determined by the State Conservationist in a minimum three year crop rotation. The crop rotation will reduce soil erosion (water and wind), improve soil health, improve soil moisture efficiency, and reduce plant pest pressures. Download full enhancement activity E328102I (PDF, 193KB)
Enhancement Name
E328102R
Resource conserving crop rotation to reduce wind erosion
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Establish a Resource Conserving Crop Rotation. Rotation must include AT LEAST one resource conserving crop as determined by the State Conservationist in a minimum three year crop rotation. The crop rotation will reduce soil erosion (water and wind), improve soil health, improve soil moisture efficiency, and reduce plant pest pressures. Download full enhancement activity E328102R (PDF, 193KB)
Enhancement Name
E328102Z
Conservation crop rotation on recently converted CRP grass/legume cover for wind erosion
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Implement a crop rotation management system on crop land acres that have recently converted from CRP grass/legume conservation cover to annual planted crops. Crop rotation minimizes disturbance resulting in a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) less than 10 and reduces soil erosion from wind to below soil tolerance (T) level. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document the rotation, soil erosion estimate, and STIR calculations. *This enhancement is limited to acres where the conversion event took place not more than 2 years prior. Enhancement not applicable on hayland. Download full enhancement activity E328102Z (PDF, 194KB)
Enhancement Name
E328106I
Improved resource conserving crop rotation for soil organic matter improvement
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Improve an existing Resource Conserving Crop Rotation. Must enrich an existing rotation which already includes AT LEAST one resource conserving crop as determined by the State Conservationist in a minimum three year crop rotation. The crop rotation will reduce soil erosion (water and wind), improve soil health, improve soil moisture efficiency, and reduce plant pest pressures. Download full enhancement activity E328106I (PDF, 175KB)
Enhancement Name
E328106R
Resource conserving crop rotation for soil organic matter improvement
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Establish a Resource Conserving Crop Rotation. Rotation must include AT LEAST one resource conserving crop as determined by the State Conservationist in a minimum three year crop rotation. The crop rotation will reduce soil erosion (water and wind), improve soil health, improve soil moisture efficiency, and reduce plant pest pressures. Download full enhancement activity E328106R (PDF, 228KB)
Enhancement Name
E328106Z1
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Implement a crop rotation which addresses all four principle components of soil health: increases diversity of the cropping system; maintains residue throughout the year; keeps a living root; and minimizes soil chemical, physical and biological disturbance. The rotation will include at least 4 different crop and/or cover crop types (crop types include cool season grass, warm season grass, cool season broadleaf, warm season broadleaf) grown in a sequence that will produce a positive trend in the Organic Matter (OM) subfactor value over the life of the rotation, as determined by the Soil Conditioning Index (SCI). The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document the rotation and SCI calculations.
Modifications to improve soil health and increase soil organic matter
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Use of soil health assessment to evaluate impact of current conservation crop rotation in addressing soil organic matter depletion (primary assessment made in Year 1). Modifications to the crop rotation and/or crop management will be made as a result of the assessment results (adding a new crop and/or cover crop to the rotation; making changes to planting and/or tillage system, harvest timing of crops, or termination timing of cover crops). During Year 3 a follow up assessment will be completed to allow time for the modifications to show increased soil organic matter. Modified system must produce a positive trend in the Organic Matter (OM) subfactor value over the life of the rotation, as determined by the Soil Conditioning Index (SCI). The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document the rotation and SCI calculations. Download full enhancement activity E328106Z2 (PDF, 202KB)
Enhancement Name
E328106Z3
Conservation crop rotation on recently converted CRP grass/legume cover for soil organic matter improvement
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation crop rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Implement a crop rotation management system on crop land acres that have recently converted from CRP grass/legume conservation cover to annual planted crops. The crop rotation adds diversity to the system; keeps a living root growing; and is managed to minimize soil chemical, physical and biological disturbance and maintain residue cover on the surface. The rotation includes crops and/or cover crops representing 3 of the 4 crop types during the planned crop sequence: warm season grass (WSG), warm season broadleaf (WSB), cool season grass (CSG), or cool season broadleaf (CSB). The crop rotation will produce a positive trend in the Organic Matter (OM) subfactor value over the life of the rotation, as determined by the SCI. Crop rotation minimizes disturbance and reduces soil erosion from wind to below soil tolerance (T) level. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document the rotation, STIR and SCI calculations. *This enhancement is limited to acres where the conversion event took place not more than 2 years prior. Enhancement not applicable on hayland. Download full enhancement activity E328106Z3 (PDF, 233KB)
Enhancement Name
E328107I
Improved resource conserving crop rotation to improve soil compaction
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Improve an existing Resource Conserving Crop Rotation. Must enrich an existing rotation which already includes AT LEAST one resource conserving crop as determined by the State Conservationist in a minimum three year crop rotation. The crop rotation will reduce soil erosion (water and wind), improve soil health, improve soil moisture efficiency, and reduce plant pest pressures. Download full enhancement activity E328107I (PDF, 193KB)
Establish a Resource Conserving Crop Rotation. Rotation must include AT LEAST one resource conserving crop as determined by the State Conservationist in a minimum three year crop rotation. The crop rotation will reduce soil erosion (water and wind), improve soil health, improve soil moisture efficiency, and reduce plant pest pressures. Download full enhancement activity E328107R (PDF, 175KB)
Enhancement Name
E328109Z
Conservation crop rotation to reduce the concentration of salts
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Implement a crop rotation to reduce the concentration of salts and other chemicals from saline seeps. The rotation should include at least 3 crops and/or cover crops grown in a sequence in the recharge areas of saline seeps that have rooting depths and water requirements adequate to fully utilize all available soil water. Do not use summer fallow. Use an approved water balance procedure to determine crop selection and sequence. Select crops with a tolerance to salinity levels that match the salinity of the discharge area. Download full enhancement activity E328109Z (PDF, 188KB)
Enhancement Name
E328134I
Improved resource conserving crop rotation to relieve plant pest pressure
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Degraded Plant Condition
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Improve an existing Resource Conserving Crop Rotation. Must enrich an existing rotation which already includes AT LEAST one resource conserving crop as determined by the State Conservationist in a minimum three year crop rotation. The crop rotation will reduce soil erosion (water and wind), improve soil health, improve soil moisture efficiency, and reduce plant pest pressures.Download full enhancement activity E328134I (PDF, 192KB)
Enhancement Name
E328134R
Resource conserving crop rotation to relieve plant pest pressure
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Degraded Plant Condition
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Establish a Resource Conserving Crop Rotation. Rotation must include AT LEAST one resource conserving crop as determined by the State Conservationist in a minimum three year crop rotation. The crop rotation will reduce soil erosion (water and wind), improve soil health, improve soil moisture efficiency, and reduce plant pest pressures. Download full enhancement activity E328134R (PDF, 192KB)
Enhancement Name
E328136Z
Leave standing grain crops unharvested to benefit wildlife food sources
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Implement a crop rotation which allows a portion of grain crops to be left in fields un-harvested to provide food and cover for wildlife during winter months. Download full enhancement activity E328136Z (PDF, 210KB)
Enhancement Name
E328137Z
Leave standing grain crops unharvested to benefit wildlife cover and shelter
Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
1 Year
Enhancement Lifespan
Implement a crop rotation which allows a portion of grain crops to be left in fields un-harvested to provide food and cover for wildlife during winter months.
No till to reduce water erosion
Conservation Practice 329: Residue & Tillage Management, No Till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Establish no till system to reduce sheet and rill erosion soil loss. Field(s) must have a soil loss at or below the soil tolerance (T) level for water erosion for the crop rotation and a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 10 for each crop in the planned rotation. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to calculate soil loss and STIR. Download full enhancement activity E329101Z (PDF, 192KB)
Enhancement Name
E329102Z
No till system to reduce wind erosion
Conservation Practice 329: Residue & Tillage Management, No till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Establish no till system to reduce wind erosion soil loss. Field(s) must have a soil loss at or below the soil tolerance (T) level for wind erosion for the crop rotation and a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 10 for each crop in the planned rotation. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to calculate soil loss and STIR. Download full enhancement activity E329102Z (PDF, 192KB)
Enhancement Name
E329106Z
No till system to increase soil health and soil organic matter content
Conservation Practice 329: Residue & Tillage Management, No Till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Establish a no till system to increase soil health and soil organic matter content. Each crop in the crop rotation shall have a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 20. The crop rotation must achieve a soil conditioning index (SCI) of zero or higher. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document STIR and SCI calculations. Residue shall not be burned, grazed, or harvested. Download full enhancement activity E329106Z (PDF, 194KB)
Enhancement Name
E329114Z
No till to increase plant-available moisture: irrigation water
Conservation Practice 329: Residue & Tillage Management, No Till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Insufficient Water
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Establish a no till system to increase plant-available moisture. Each crop in the crop rotation shall have a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 20. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document STIR calculations. Maintain a minimum 60 percent surface residue cover throughout the year to reduce evaporation from the soil surface. Download full enhancement activity E329114Z (PDF, 192KB)
Enhancement Name
E329115Z
No till to increase plant-available moisture: moisture management
Conservation Practice 329: Residue & Tillage Management, No Till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Insufficient Water
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Establish a no till system to increase plant-available moisture. Each crop in the crop rotation shall have a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 20. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document STIR calculations. Maintain a minimum 60 percent surface residue cover throughout the year to reduce evaporation from the soil surface. Download full enhancement activity E329115Z (PDF, 192KB)
Enhancement Name
E329128Z
No till to reduce tillage induced particulate matter
Conservation Practice 329: Residue and Tillage Management, No Till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Air Quality Impacts
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Establish no till system to reduce tillage induced particulate matter. Field(s) must have a soil loss at or below the soil tolerance (T) level for the crop rotation and a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 10 for each crop in the planned rotation. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document soil loss and STIR calculations. Download full enhancement activity E329128Z (PDF, 192KB)
Enhancement Name
E329144Z
No till to reduce energy
Conservation Practice 329: Residue & Tillage Management, No Till
Applicable Land Use
(Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Inefficient Energy Use
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Establish a no till system which reduces total energy consumption associated with field operations by at least 25% compared to current tillage system (benchmark). Each crop in the crop rotation shall have a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 20. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document STIR calculations and energy consumption. Download full enhancement activity E329144Z (PDF, 215KB)
Enhancement Code and Name
E334107Z
Controlled traffic farming to reduce compaction
Conservation Practice 334: Controlled Traffic Farming
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
5 Year
Enhancement Description
Establish a controlled traffic system where no more than 25% of the surface is tracked with heavy axel loads to minimize soil compaction. For row crops (e.g. corn in 30-inch rows) no tire should run on a row except for flotation tires on combines and/or fertilizer and lime spreading trucks. If wide flotation tires are used, they must be big enough that the inflation pressure will be below 18 psi to minimize compaction on trafficked rows.
Cover crop to reduce water erosion
Conservation Practice 340: Cover Crop
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Cover crop added to current crop rotation to reduce soil erosion from water to below soil tolerance (T) level. Cover crops grown during critical erosion period(s). Species are selected that will have physical characteristics to provide adequate erosion protection.
Cover crop to reduce wind erosion
Conservation Practice 340: Cover Crop
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Cover crop added to current crop rotation to reduce soil erosion from wind to below the soil tolerance (T) level. Cover crops grown during critical erosion period(s). Species are selected that will have physical characteristics to provide adequate erosion protection.
Intensive cover cropping to increase soil health and soil organic matter content
Conservation Practice 340: Cover Crop
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Implementation of cover crop mix to provide soil coverage during ALL non-crop production periods in an annual crop rotation. Cover crop shall not be harvested or burned. Planned crop rotation including cover crops and associated management activities must achieve a soil conditioning index (SCI) of zero or higher. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document SCI calculations. Download full enhancement activity E340106Z1 (PDF, 209KB)
Enhancement Code and Name
E340106Z2
Use of multi-species cover crop to improve soil health and increase soil organic matter
Conservation Practice 340: Cover Crop
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Implement a multi-species cover crop to add diversity and increase biomass production to improve soil health and increase soil organic matter. Cover crop mix must include a minimum of 4 different species. The cover crop mix will increase diversity of the crop rotation by including crop types currently missing, e.g. Cool Season Grass (CSG), Cool Season Broadleaves (CSB), Warm Season Grasses (WSG), Warm Season Broadleaves (WSB).
Intensive cover cropping (orchard or vineyard floor) to increase soil health and soil organic matter content
Conservation Practice 340: Cover Crop
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Implementation of cover crops to provide orchard or vineyard floor coverage throughout the year. Cover crop shall not be harvested, grazed, or burned. Planned cover crop management activities must achieve a soil conditioning index (SCI) of zero or higher and produce a positive trend in the Organic Matter (OM) sub factor over the life of the crop rotation. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document SCI calculations. Download full enhancement activity E340106Z3 (PDF, 243KB)
Enhancement Name
E340106Z4
Use of soil health assessment to assist with development of cover crop mix to improve soil health and increase soil organic matter
Conservation Practice 340: Cover Crop
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Use of a soil health assessment to evaluate impact of current conservation crop rotation in addressing soil organic matter depletion (primary assessment made in Year 1). Soil health assessment results and client’s objectives will be utilized to determine a multi-species cover crop mix that will be added to the crop rotation. During Year 3 a follow up assessment will be completed to allow time for the addition of a cover crop to increase soil organic matter. Download full enhancement activity E340106Z4 (PDF, 260KB)
Enhancement Code and Name
E340107Z
Cover crop to minimize soil compaction
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Establish a cover crop mix that includes plants with both fibrous root and deep rooted systems. Fibrous to treat and prevent both near surface (0-4”) and deep (>4”) soil compaction and deep rooted to break up deep compacted soils. Cover crop shall not be harvested, grazed, or burned.
Cover crop to reduce water quality degradation by utilizing excess soil nutrients – surface water
Conservation Practice 340: Cover Crop
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Establish a cover crop mix to take up excess soil nutrients. Select cover crop species for their ability to effectively utilize nutrients. Terminate the cover crop as late as practical to maximize plant biomass production and nutrient uptake. Cover crop shall not be harvested, grazed, or burned.
Cover crop to reduce water quality degradation by utilizing excess soil nutrients-ground water
Conservation Practice 340: Cover Crop
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Establish a cover crop mix to take up excess soil nutrients. Select cover crop species for their ability to effectively utilize nutrients. Terminate the cover crop as late as practical to maximize plant biomass production and nutrient uptake. Cover crop shall not be harvested, grazed, or burned.
Cover crops to suppress excessive weed pressures and break pest cycles
Conservation Practice 340: Cover Crop
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Degraded Plant Condition
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Establish a cover crop mix to suppress excessive weed pressures and break pest cycles. Select cover crop species for their life cycles, growth habits, and other biological, chemical and/or physical characteristics. Select cover crop species that do not harbor pests or diseases of subsequent crops in the rotation. Cover crop shall not be harvested, grazed, or burned.
Reduced Tillage to Reduce Water Erosion
Conservation Practice 345: Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Establish a reduced tillage system to reduce sheet and rill erosion soil loss. Field(s) must have a soil loss at or below the soil tolerance (T) level for water erosion for the crop rotation and a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 40 for each crop in the planned rotation. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to calculate soil loss and STIR. Download full enhancement activity E345101Z (PDF, 192KB)
Enhancement Name
E345102Z
Reduced Tillage to Reduce Wind Erosion
Conservation Practice 345: Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Establish a reduced tillage system to reduce wind erosion soil loss. Field(s) must have a soil loss at or below the soil tolerance (T) level for wind erosion for the crop rotation and a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 40 for each crop in the planned rotation. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to calculate soil loss and STIR. Download full enhancement activity E345102Z (PDF, 192KB)
Enhancement Name
E345106Z
Reduced tillage to increase soil health and soil organic matter content
Conservation Practice 345: Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Establish a reduced till system to increase soil health and soil organic matter content. Each crop in the crop rotation shall have a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 80. The crop rotation must achieve a soil conditioning index (SCI) of zero or higher and produce a positive trend in the Organic Matter (OM) subfactor over the life of the crop rotation. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document STIR and SCI calculations. Residue shall not be burned, grazed, or harvested. Download full enhancement activity E345106Z (PDF, 194KB)
Enhancement Name
E345114Z
Reduced tillage to increase plant-available moisture: irrigation water
Conservation Practice 345: Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Insufficient Water
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Establish a reduced till system to increase plant-available moisture. Each crop in the crop rotation shall have a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 80. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document STIR calculations. Maintain a minimum 60 percent surface residue cover throughout the year to reduce evaporation from the soil surface. Download full enhancement activity E345114Z (PDF, 192KB)
Enhancement Name
E345115Z
Reduced tillage to increase plant-available moisture: moisture management
Conservation Practice 345: Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Insufficient Water
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Establish a reduced till system to increase plant-available moisture. Each crop in the crop rotation shall have a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 80. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document STIR calculations. Maintain a minimum 60 percent surface residue cover throughout the year to reduce evaporation from the soil surface. Download full enhancement activity E345115Z (PDF, 191KB)
Enhancement Name
E345128Z
Reduced tillage to reduce tillage induced particulate matter
Conservation Practice 345: Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Air Quality Impacts
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Establish a reduced tillage system to reduce tillage induced particulate matter. Field(s) must have a soil loss at or below the soil tolerance (T) level for the crop rotation and a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 40 for each crop in the planned rotation. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document soil loss and STIR calculations. Download full enhancement activity E345128Z (PDF, 189KB)
Enhancement Name
E345144Z
Reduced tillage to reduce energy use
Conservation Practice 345: Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Inefficient Energy Use
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Establish a reduced tillage system which reduces total energy consumption associated with field operations by at least 25% compared to conventional tillage systems (benchmark). Each crop in the crop rotation shall have a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of no greater than 80. The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document STIR calculations and energy consumption. Download full enhancement activity E345144Z (PDF, 195KB)
Enhancement Code and Name
E374144Z1
Install variable frequency drive(s) on pump(s)
Conservation Practice 374: Farmstead Energy Improvement
Install Variable Frequency Drive(s) (VFD) on Pumping Plant (Conservation Practice Standard CPS 533) with the correct sensors, on all pumps as indicated in the energy audit.
Switch the fuel source for the pump motor(s) indicated in the energy audit to a renewable source (wind, solar, geothermal, etc.) (CPS 533 Pumping Plant)
Enhanced field borders to reduce water induced erosion along the edge(s) of a field
Conservation Practice 386: Field Border
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
10 years
Enhancement Description
Enhance existing field borders to a width of at least 30 feet and establish a single species or mixture of species that provide a dense ground cover along the edge(s) of the field. Download full enhancement activity E386101Z (PDF, 202KB)
Enhancement Name
E386102Z
Enhanced field borders to reduce wind induced erosion along the edge(s) of a field
Conservation Practice 386: Field Border
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
10 years
Enhancement Description
Enhance existing field borders to a width of at least 30 feet and establish a single species or mixture of species that provide a dense ground cover along the edge(s) of the field. Download full enhancement activity E386102Z (PDF, 201KB)
Enhancement Code and Name
E386106Z
Enhanced field borders to increase carbon storage along the edge(s) of a field
Conservation Practice 386: Field Border
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
10 years
Enhancement Description
Enhance existing field borders to a width of at least 30 feet and establish a single species or mixture of species that provide a dense ground cover and dense rooting system along the edge(s) of the field.
Enhanced field borders to decrease particulate emissions along the edge(s) of a field
Conservation Practice 386: Field Border
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Air Quality Impacts
Enhancement Lifespan
10 years
Enhancement Description
Enhance existing field borders to a width of at least 40 feet and establish a mixture of species that decrease the particulate emissions along the edge(s) of the field.
Enhanced field borders to increase food for pollinators along the edge(s) of a field
Conservation Practice 386: Field Border
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
10 years
Enhancement Description
Enhance existing field borders to a width of at least 40 feet and establish a mixture of species that provide food for pollinators along the edge(s) of the field.
Enhanced field borders to increase wildlife food and cover along the edge(s) of a field
Conservation Practice 386: Field Border
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
10 years
Enhancement Description
Enhance existing field borders to a width of at least 40 feet and establish a mixture of species that provide wildlife food and cover along the edge(s) of the field.
Enhanced field borders to increase wildlife habitat continuity along the edge(s) of a field
Conservation Practice 386: Field Border
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
10 years
Enhancement Description
Enhance existing field borders to a width of at least 40 feet and establish a mixture of species that provide wildlife habitat continuity along the edge(s) of the field.
Increase riparian herbaceous cover width for nutrient reduction
Conservation Practice 390: Riparian Herbaceous Cover
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
5 Years
Enhancement Description
Where an existing herbaceous riparian buffer is located along a river, stream, pond, lake, or other waterbody, increase the width of the buffer in order to allow a greater percentage of nutrient removal from surface and subsurface flows.
Increase riparian herbaceous cover width to enhance wildlife habitat
Conservation Practice 390: Riparian Herbaceous Cover
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Pasture; Range; Associated Ag Land; and Farmstead
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 Years
Enhancement Description
Where an existing herbaceous riparian buffer is located along a river, stream, pond, lake, or other waterbody, increase the diversity of native species, control invasive species, install fencing and relocate equipment operations, trails, and livestock, and increase the width of the buffer.
Increase riparian forest buffer width for nutrient reduction
Conservation Practice 391: Riparian Forest Buffer
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
15 Years
Enhancement Description
Where an existing forested riparian area is located along a river, stream, pond, lake, or other waterbody, increase the width of the buffer in order to allow a greater percentage of nutrient removal from surface and subsurface flows.
Increase riparian forest buffer width to reduce sediment loading
Conservation Practice 391: Riparian Forest Buffer
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
15 Years
Enhancement Description
Where an existing forested riparian area is located along a river, stream, pond, lake, or other waterbody, increase the width of the buffer in order to allow a greater percentage of sediment removal from surface flows.
Where an existing riparian forest buffer is located along a river, stream, pond, lake, or other waterbody, increase the diversity of native species, control invasive species, install fencing and relocate equipment operations, trails, and livestock to increase the functional width of the buffer.
Extend existing filter strip to reduce excess nutrients in surface water
Conservation Practice 393: Filter Strip
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
10 Years
Enhancement Description
Extend existing filter strips for water quality protection (reduce excess nutrients in surface water). Extend the existing buffer for a total of 60 feet or more to enhance water quality functions. The extended buffers must be composed of at least 5 species of non-noxious, wildlife friendly grasses and/or perennial forbs best suited to site conditions. Include species that provide pollinator food and habitat where possible.
Extend filter strip to reduce excess pathogens and chemicals in surface water
Conservation Practice 393: Filter Strip
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Associated Agricultural Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
10 Years
Enhancement Description
Extend existing filter strips for water quality protection (reduce excess pathogens and chemicals from manure, bio-solids or compost applications in surface waters). Extend the existing buffer for a total of 60 feet or more to enhance water quality functions. The extended buffers must be composed of at least 5 species of non-noxious, wildlife friendly grasses and/or perennial forbs best suited to site conditions. Include species that provide pollinator food and habitat where possible
Extend existing filter strip to reduce excess sediment in surface water
Conservation Practice 393: Filter Strip
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Associated Agricultural Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
10 Years
Enhancement Description
Extend existing filter strips for water quality protection (reduce excess sediment in surface waters). Extend the existing buffer for a total of 60 feet or more to enhance water quality functions. The extended buffers must be composed of at least 5 species of non-noxious, wildlife friendly grasses and/or perennial forbs best suited to site conditions. Include species that provide pollinator food and habitat where possible.
Stream habitat improvement through placement of woody biomass
Conservation Practice 395: Stream Habitat Improvement & Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Pasture; Range; Forest; Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Flexible placement of wood (unanchored/unpinned) in small, 1st and 2nd order streams to improve stream habitat conditions for aquatic species and natural stream processes.
Complete pumping plant evaluation for all pumps on a farm
Conservation Practice 449: Irrigation Water Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Pasture; Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Insufficient Water
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Evaluation of all pumping plants to determine the potential to rehabilitate/replace/reconfigure pump performance to improve water delerivery efficiency 10% or more. Evaluate to determine if a Variable Frequency Drive motor controller(s) is recommended and the simple payback in terms of energy savings is less than 10 years.
Automated intermittent flood irrigation of rice fields–Year 2-5
Conservation Practice 449: Irrigation Water Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Insufficient Water
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Rice fields are drained and allowed to “dry down” to a saturated soil condition prior to re-flooding the field. System is installed in year 1 with Scenario E449144Z8 and this scenario used in years 2-5. Download full enhancement activity E449114Z6 (PDF, 186KB)
Enhancement Code and Name
E449114Z7
Advanced Automated IWM – Year 2-5, soil moisture monitoring
Conservation Practice 449: Irrigation Water Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Pasture
Resource Concern Addressed
Insufficient Water
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Advanced automated irrigation water management using soil moisture or water level monitoring (one sensor per 40 acres or less) with data loggers. Record keeping is such that a daily water balance is calculated and future irrigation is forecast. Equipment was bought in year one, this is monitoring for future years. Subscription service may be used as source for monitoring. System will be monitored and controlled using remote devices.
Advanced Automated IWM – Year 1, Equipment and soil moisture or water level monitoring
Conservation Practice 449: Irrigation Water Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Pasture
Resource Concern Addressed
Insufficient Water
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
This activity includes installing and monitoring soil moisture or water leveling equipment for advanced automated irrigation water management. The equipment includes field specific weather station data with soil moisture monitoring (one sensor station per 40 acres or less), data loggers and telemetry. Sensor stations will include a minimum of 2 sensors per site at depths appropriate for the crop and soils. If rice is the major crop, water level sensors may be substituted for the soil moisture sensors. Monitoring will be for the entire irrigation season and data gathered will be used to predict and manage irrigation water on crop grown.
Complete pumping plant evaluation for all pumps on a farm
Conservation Practice 449: Irrigation Water Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Pasture; Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Inefficient Energy Use
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Evaluation of all pumping plants to determine the potential to rehabilitate/replace/reconfigure to perform 10% more efficiently. Evaluate to determine if a Variable Frequency Drive motor controller(s) is recommended and the simple payback in terms of energy savings is less than 10 years.
Installation of structures and implementation of grazing management actions that restrict livestock access to streams, ditches, and other waterbodies in order to reduce nutrient loading to surface waters.
Installation of structures and implementation of grazing management actions that restrict livestock access to streams, ditches, and other waterbodies in order to reduce the introduction of pathogens to surface waters.
Mulching to improve soil health
Conservation Practice 484: Mulching
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Implement a crop rotation which utilizes mulch and addresses all four principle components of soil health: increases diversity of the cropping system; maintains residue throughout the year; keeps a living root; and minimizes soil chemical, physical and biological disturbance. Plant-based mulching materials will be applied at least once during the rotation. The rotation will include at least 4 different crops and/or cover crops grown in a sequence that will produce a positive trend in the Organic Matter (OM) subfactor value over the life of the rotation, as determined by the Soil Conditioning Index (SCI). The current NRCS wind and water erosion prediction technologies must be used to document the rotation and SCI calculations. Download full enhancement activity E484106Z (PDF, 199KB)
Enhancement Code and Name
E511137Z1
Harvest of crops (hay or small grains) using conservation measures that allow desired species to flush or escape
Conservation Practice 511: Forage Harvest Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Harvest of crops (hay or small grains) using conservation measures that allow desired species to flush or escape. (For species list see State Wildlife Action Plan). Conservation measures include timing of harvest, idling land during the nesting or fawning period, and applying harvest techniques that reduce mortality to wildlife.
Forage harvest management that helps maintain or improve wildlife habitat (cover and shelter)
Conservation Practice 511: Forage Harvest Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Pasture
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
The timely cutting and removal of forages from the field as hay, green-chop, or ensilage in such as way and time frames so as optimize both forage yield/quality and wildlife cover and shelter
Forage harvest management that helps maintain wildlife habitat continuity (space)
Conservation Practice 511: Forage Harvest Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Pasture
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
The timely cutting and removal of forages from the field as hay, green-chop, or ensilage in such as way and time frames so as to optimize both forage yield/quality and wildlife cover and shelter for habitat and/or continuity between otherwise disconnected habitats.
Cropland conversion to grass-based agriculture to reduce water erosion
Conservation Practice 512 - Conservation Forage and Biomass Planting
Applicable Land Use
Crop (annual & mixed); Crop (perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Conversion of cropped land to grass-based agriculture. Mixtures of perennial grasses, forbs, and/or legume species are established on cropland where annually-seeded cash crops have been grown.
Cropland conversion to grass-based agriculture to reduce wind erosion
Conservation Practice 512 - Forage and Biomass Planting
Applicable Land Use
Crop (annual & mixed); Crop (perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Erosion
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Conversion of cropped land to grass-based agriculture. Mixtures of perennial grasses, forbs, and/or legume species are established on cropland where annually-seeded cash crops have been grown. Download full enhancement activity E512102Z (PDF, 223KB)
Enhancement Name
E512106Z1
Cropland conversion to grass-based agriculture for soil organic matter improvement
Conservation Practice 512 - Forage and Biomass Planting
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Conversion of cropped land to grass-based agriculture. Mixtures of perennial grasses, forbs, and/or legume species are established on cropland where annually-seeded cash crops have been grown. Download full enhancement activity E512106Z1 (PDF, 224KB)
Enhancement Code and Name
E512132Z1
Forage and biomass planting that produces feedstock for biofuels or energy production
Conservation Practice 512: Forage and Biomass Planting
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Degraded Plant Condition
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Conversion of cropped land to grass-based agriculture. Mixtures of perennial grasses, forbs, and/or legume species are established on cropland where annually-seeded cash crops have been grown.
Native grasses or legumes in forage base
Conservation Practice 512: Forage and Biomass Planting
Applicable Land Use
Crop (perennial); Pasture; Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Livestock Production Limitation
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Establishing adapted and/or compatible species, varieties, or cultivars of perennial, herbaceous species that can provide the structure and composition needed to enhance livestock and wildlife habitat, particularly when targeted forage supply and quality, cover, and shelter are not available in other pastures. Download full enhancement activity E512140Z (PDF, KB)
Enhancement Code and Name
E550106Z
Range planting for increasing/maintaining organic matter
Conservation Practice 550: Range Planting
Applicable Land Use
Range; Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Soil Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Establishment of adapted perennial or self-sustaining vegetation such as grasses, forbs, legumes, shrubs and trees for the purpose of increasing or maintaining organic matter levels in the soil.
Range planting for improving forage, browse, or cover for wildlife
Conservation Practice 550: Range Planting
Applicable Land Use
Range; Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Establishment of adapted perennial or self-sustaining vegetation such as grasses, forbs, legumes, shrubs and trees for the purpose of improving forage, browse, or cover for wildlife on areas that have been degraded beyond recovery via ecological principles, or old crop fields and pastures devoid of desirable, native rangeland species that fit within an ecological site description steady state.
Installation of end of pipe or ditch treatment for phosphorus
Conservation Practice 554: Drainage Water Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial); Associated Ag Land
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Add end of pipe/ditch treatment. If dissolved phosphorus is the pollutant of concern, use Interim CPS 782, Phosphorus Treatment Structure for each drainage outlet in a field.
Improving nutrient uptake efficiency and reducing risk of nutrient losses to groundwater
Conservation Practice 590: Nutrient Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (annual & mixed); Crop (perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Nutrient management encompasses managing the amount, source, placement, and timing of the application of plant nutrients and soil amendments. Nutrients are currently being applied on the farm based on the 4R nutrient stewardship principles. Enhanced nutrient use efficiency strategies or technologies are utilized to improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce risk of nutrient losses.
Reduce risks of nutrient losses to ground water by utilizing precision agriculture technologies to plan and apply nutrients.
Conservation Practice 590: Nutrient Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (annual & mixed); Crop (perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Utilize precision application technology and techniques to reduce risk of nutrients in ground water by reducing total amount of applied and reducing the potential for delivery of nutrients into ground water. Precision agriculture technology is utilized to plan and apply nutrients to improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce risk of nutrient losses.
Improving nutrient uptake efficiency and reducing risks to air quality – emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
Conservation Practice 590: Nutrient Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (annual & mixed); Crop (perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Air Quality Impacts
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Nutrient management encompasses managing the amount, source, placement, and timing of the application of plant nutrients and soil amendments. Nutrients are currently being applied on the farm based on the 4R nutrient stewardship principles. Enhanced nutrient use efficiency strategies or technologies are utilized to improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce risks to air quality by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Reduce risk of pesticides in surface water by utilizing precision pesticide application techniques
Conservation Practice 595: Integrated Pest Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (annual & mixed); Crop (perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Utilize precision application techniques to reduce risk of pesticides in surface water by reducing total amount of chemical applied and reducing the potential for delivery of chemicals into water bodies.
Reduce risk of pesticides in surface water by utilizing IPM PAMS techniques
Conservation Practice 595: Integrated Pest Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (annual & mixed), Crop (perennial), Pasture
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Utilize integrated pest management (IPM) prevent, avoidance, monitoring, and suppression (PAMS) techniques to reduce risk of pesticides in surface water and reducing the potential for delivery of chemicals into water bodies.
Reducing routine neonicotinoid seed treatments on corn and soybean crops
Conservation Practice 595: Integrated Pest Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (annual)
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Eliminate routine use of neonicotinoid seed treatments to reduce risk of pesticides in surface water by reducing the total amount of chemical applied and reducing the potential for delivery of chemicals into water bodies that would impair water quality and fish and wildlife habitat. Download full enhancement activity E595116Z2 (PDF, 181KB)
Enhancement Name
E595129Z
Reduce ozone precursor emissions related to pesticides by utilizing IPM PAMS techniques
Conservation Practice 595: Integrated Pest Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (annual & mixed), Crop (perennial), Pasture
Resource Concern Addressed
Air Quality Impacts
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Utilize integrated pest management (IPM) prevent, avoidance, monitoring, and suppression (PAMS) techniques to reduce ozone precursor emissions related to pesticides. Download full enhancement activity E595129Z (PDF, 205KB)
Enhancement Code and Name
E612126Z
Cropland conversion to trees or shrubs for long term improvement of water quality
Conservation Practice 612: Trees/shrub Establishment
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed); Crop (Perennial)
Resource Concern Addressed
Water Quality Degradation
Enhancement Lifespan
15 years
Enhancement Description
Cropland conversion to trees and shrubs for long term erosion control and improvement of water quality. Trees and shrubs are established on cropland where annually-seeded cash crops have been grown. Tree and/or shrub species are selected for their efficacy in holding soil, and the planting design is configured to control runoff and trap sediment.
Plant tree species and use stocking levels for higher growth to increase the rate of carbon sequestration (capture). Use species with a longer life span as well as relatively fast growth, and species suitable for durable manufactured products. Increase stocking levels in forests that are not fully stocked. Implement afforestation on appropriate open lands.
Plant food-producing trees and shrubs for wildlife or human consumption within windbreaks, alley cropping, multi-story cropping, silvopasture systems, and/or riparian forest buffers.
Tree and shrub planting will enhance habitat for native wildlife. A minimum of five tree and shrub species will be used; they will be species that provide food for identified wildlife species.
Tree and shrub planting will enhance habitat for native wildlife. A minimum of five tree and shrub species will be used; they will be species that provide cover for identified wildlife species.
Managing flood-irrigated landscapes for wildlife
Conservation Practice 644: Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed), Crop (Perennial), Pasture
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
1 Year
Enhancement Description
Developing and implementing a conservation plan that supports maintenance of flood-irrigation in key landscapes to provide important foraging habitat for local breeding and migratory waterfowl and waterbirds.
Reduction of attractants to human-subsidized predators in sensitive wildlife species habitat
Conservation Practice 645: Upland Wildlife Habitat Management
Reduction of artificial perching sites, nest sites, food, and water available to subsidized predators in areas where human-subsidized predators are a threat to sensitive wildlife species. Human-subsidized predators may include ravens, crows, magpies, coyotes, foxes, skunks, raccoons, and other species. Activities under this enhancement may include removal of non-native or invasive trees; removal of unused power poles, corrals, windmills, buildings, and other vertical structures; and/or removal or management of watering facilities, dead livestock, road kill, garbage, animal feed, dumps, and other non-natural food sources.
Close structures to capture and retain rainfall to improve food sources for waterfowl and other wading birds during winter
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
When flooded to shallow depths during fall and winter, agricultural fields provide ideal foraging habitat for myriad species of waterfowl and wading birds. Harvested and idled agricultural lands, notably those occurring within rice rotations, contain high densities of residual (i.e., waste) grain and natural seeds following harvest. Seed densities in harvested rice fields may rival those documented in intensively managed moist-soil units, especially in the Gulf Coast and Central Valley of California. In addition, flooded conditions promote establishment of aquatic invertebrate populations, thus providing protein-rich food sources for shorebirds as well as waterfowl and wading birds. Download full enhancement activity E646136Z1 (PDF, 216KB)
Enhancement Name
E646136Z2
Extend retention of captured rainfall to provide enhanced food sources for late winter habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
When flooded to shallow depths during fall and winter, agricultural fields provide ideal foraging habitat for myriad species of waterfowl and wading birds. Harvested and idled agricultural lands, notably those occurring within rice rotations, contain high densities of residual (i.e., waste) grain and natural seeds following harvest. In addition, flooded conditions promote establishment of aquatic invertebrate populations, thus providing protein-rich food sources for shorebirds as well as waterfowl and wading birds. Benefits may become greatest during late winter and early spring as birds are assimilating nutrient and fat reserves in preparation for northward migration. However, agricultural fields flooded during fall-winter are typically drained during late January or February in advance of spring planting. This often results in a rapid reduction in available habitat, and may constrain ability of migratory birds to adequately prepare for migration, with greatest impacts likely occurring during years of low winter precipitation. Retention of water on agricultural lands into early spring will produce maximum benefits to migratory waterfowl and shorebirds by providing high quality habitat during a time when habitat may otherwise be in low abundance. Download full enhancement activity E646136Z2 (PDF, 215KB)
Enhancement Name
E646136Z3
Shorebird habitat, late season shallow water with manipulation to improve food sources
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Suitable shorebird habitat is limited during the summer and fall as birds migrate south post-breeding. Providing shallow water and mud flat habitat will benefit a variety of shorebird species. Optimal conditions are created when water levels are slowly reduced through evaporation, which allows for propagation of invertebrates (typically insect larvae) used as food by shorebirds. Manipulation of vegetation, preferably through rolling, creates open conditions required by this suite of birds as a means to detect and avoid predators, and provides nutrient inputs for invertebrate production. Download full enhancement activity E646136Z3 (PDF, 215KB)
Enhancement Name
E646136Z4
Shorebird habitat, extended late season shallow water with manipulation to improve food sources
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Suitable shorebird habitat is limited during the summer and fall as birds migrate south post-breeding. Providing shallow water and mud flat habitat will benefit a variety of shorebird species. Optimal conditions are created when water levels are slowly reduced through evaporation, which allows for propagation of invertebrates (typically insect larvae) used as food by shorebirds. Manipulation of vegetation, preferably through rolling, creates open conditions required by this suite of birds as a means to detect and avoid predators, and provides nutrient inputs for invertebrate production. Download full enhancement activity E646136Z4 (PDF, 216KB)
Enhancement Name
E646137Z1
Close structures to capture and retain rainfall to improve cover and shelter for waterfowl and wading birds during winter
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
When flooded to shallow depths during fall and winter, agricultural fields provide ideal cover and shelter for myriad species of waterfowl and wading birds. Many declining suites of wildlife species rely on early successional habitats for at least part of their life cycle needs. Migratory shorebird species in particular rely on open, moist soil or shallowly flooded conditions for foraging and security. Harvested and idled agricultural lands, notably those occurring within rice rotations, can contain high densities of early successional vegetation. When moisture is added to this situation, short-term habitat is available and cover and shelter is provided to early successional species. Download full enhancement activity E646137Z1 (PDF, 216KB)
Enhancement Name
E646137Z2
Extend retention of captured rainfall to provide enhanced cover and shelter for late winter habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
When flooded to shallow depths during fall and winter, agricultural fields provide ideal cover and shelter for myriad species of waterfowl and wading birds. Many declining suites of wildlife species rely on early successional habitats for at least part of their life cycle needs. Migratory shorebird species in particular rely on open, moist soil or shallowly flooded conditions for foraging and security. Harvested and idled agricultural lands, notably those occurring within rice rotations, can contain high densities of early successional vegetation. When moisture is added to this situation, cover and shelter is provided to early successional species. Benefits may become greatest during late winter and early spring as birds are assimilating nutrient and fat reserves in preparation for northward migration. However, agricultural fields flooded during fall-winter are typically drained during late January or February in advance of spring planting. This often results in a rapid reduction in available habitat, and may constrain ability of migratory birds to adequately prepare for migration, with greatest impacts likely occurring during years of low winter precipitation. Retention of water on agricultural lands into early spring will produce maximum benefits to migratory waterfowl and shorebirds by providing high quality habitat during a time when habitat may otherwise be in low abundance. Download full enhancement activity E646137Z2 (PDF, 217KB)
Enhancement Name
E646137Z3
Shorebird habitat, late season shallow water with manipulation to improve cover and shelter
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Suitable shorebird habitat is limited during the summer and fall as birds migrate south post-breeding. Providing shallow water and mud flat habitat will benefit a variety of shorebird species. Optimal conditions are created when water levels are slowly reduced through evaporation, which allows for propagation of invertebrates (typically insect larvae) used as food by shorebirds. Manipulation of vegetation, preferably through rolling, creates open conditions required by this suite of birds as a means to detect and avoid predators, and provides nutrient inputs for invertebrate production. Download full enhancement activity E646137Z3 (PDF, 215KB)
Enhancement Name
E646137Z4
Shorebird habitat, extended late season shallow water with manipulation to improve cover and shelter
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Suitable shorebird habitat is limited during the summer and fall as birds migrate south post-breeding. Providing shallow water and mud flat habitat will benefit a variety of shorebird species. Optimal conditions are created when water levels are slowly reduced through evaporation, which allows for propagation of invertebrates (typically insect larvae) used as food by shorebirds. Manipulation of vegetation, preferably through rolling, creates open conditions required by this suite of birds as a means to detect and avoid predators, and provides nutrient inputs for invertebrate production. Download full enhancement activity E646137Z4 (PDF, KB)
Enhancement Name
E646138Z1
Close structures to capture and retain rainfall to improve water sources for waterfowl and wading birds during winter
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
When flooded to shallow depths during fall and winter, agricultural fields provide ideal habitat for myriad species of waterfowl and wading birds. Harvested and idled agricultural lands, notably those occurring within rice rotations, contain high densities of residual (i.e., waste) grain and natural seeds following harvest. Seed densities in harvested rice fields may rival those documented in intensively managed moist-soil units, especially in the Gulf Coast and Central Valley of California. Capturing and retaining water on those areas provide access for waterfowl and wading birds and promote the establishment of aquatic invertebrate populations, thus providing protein-rich food sources. Download full enhancement activity E646138Z1 (PDF, 215KB)
Enhancement Name
E646138Z2
Extend retention of captured rainfall to provide late winter water habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
When flooded to shallow depths during fall and winter, agricultural fields provide ideal habitat for myriad species of waterfowl and wading birds. Harvested and idled agricultural lands, notably those occurring within rice rotations, contain high densities of residual (i.e., waste) grain and natural seeds following harvest. In addition, flooded conditions provide access for waterfowl and wading birds and promote establishment of aquatic invertebrate populations, thus providing protein-rich food sources for shorebirds as well as waterfowl and wading birds. Benefits may become greatest during late winter and early spring as birds are assimilating nutrient and fat reserves in preparation for northward. However, agricultural fields flooded during fall-winter are typically drained during late January or February in advance of spring planting. This often results in a rapid reduction in available habitat, and may constrain ability of migratory birds to adequately prepare for migration, with greatest impacts likely occurring during years of low winter precipitation. Retention of water on agricultural lands into early spring will produce maximum benefits to migratory waterfowl and shorebirds by providing high quality habitat during a time when habitat may otherwise be in low abundance. Download full enhancement activity E646138Z2 (PDF, 216KB)
Enhancement Name
E646138Z3
Shorebird habitat, late season shallow water with manipulation
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Suitable shorebird habitat is limited during the summer and fall as birds migrate south post-breeding. Providing shallow water and mud flat habitat will benefit a variety of shorebird species. Improved conditions are created when water levels are slowly reduced through evaporation, which allows for propagation of invertebrates (typically insect larvae) used as food by shorebirds. Manipulation of vegetation, preferably through rolling, creates open conditions required by this suite of birds as a means to detect and avoid predators, and provides nutrient inputs for invertebrate production. Download full enhancement activity E646138Z3 (PDF, 215KB)
Enhancement Name
E646138Z4
Shorebird habitat, extended late season shallow water with manipulation
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Suitable shorebird habitat is limited during the summer and fall as birds migrate south post-breeding. Providing shallow water and mud flat habitat will benefit a variety of shorebird species. Optimal conditions are created when water levels are slowly reduced through evaporation, which allows for propagation of invertebrates (typically insect larvae) used as food by shorebirds. Manipulation of vegetation, preferably through rolling, creates open conditions required by this suite of birds as a means to detect and avoid predators, and provides nutrient inputs for invertebrate production.Download full enhancement activity E646138Z4 (PDF, 215KB)
Enhancement Name
E646139Z1
Close structures to capture and retain rainfall for waterfowl and wading birds to improve habitat continuity during winter
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
When flooded to shallow depths during fall and winter, agricultural fields provide habitat for myriad species of waterfowl and wading birds. The flooded conditions promote a network or continuity of habitat that is available to migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds. Harvested and idled agricultural lands, notably those occurring within rice rotations, contain high densities of residual (i.e., waste) grain and natural seeds following harvest. Seed densities in harvested rice fields may rival those documented in intensively managed moist-soil units, especially in the Gulf Coast and Central Valley of California. In addition, flooded conditions promote establishment of aquatic invertebrate populations, thus providing protein-rich food sources for shorebirds as well as waterfowl and wading birds. Download full enhancement activity E646139Z1 (PDF, 217KB)
Enhancement Name
E646139Z2
Extend retention of captured rainfall to provide habitat continuity during late winter for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
When flooded to shallow depths during fall and retained into late winter, agricultural fields provide habitat for myriad species of waterfowl and wading birds. However, agricultural fields flooded during fall-winter are typically drained during late January or February in advance of spring planting. This often results in a rapid reduction in available habitat, and may constrain ability of migratory birds to adequately prepare for migration, with greatest impacts likely occurring during years of low winter precipitation. Retention of water on agricultural lands into early spring will provide a network or continuity of habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds during a time when it may otherwise be in low abundance. In addition, flooded conditions promote establishment of aquatic invertebrate populations, thus providing protein-rich food sources for shorebirds as well as waterfowl and wading birds.Download full enhancement activity E646139Z2 (PDF, 217KB)
Enhancement Name
E646139Z3
Shorebird habitat, late season shallow water with manipulation to enhance habitat continuity and space
Conservation Practice 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Suitable shorebird habitat is limited during the summer and fall as birds migrate south post-breeding (Elliott and McKnight 2000). Providing shallow water and mud flat habitat will benefit a variety of shorebird species (Vermillion 2012). Optimal conditions are created when water levels are slowly reduced through evaporation, which allows for propagation of invertebrates (typically insect larvae) used as food by shorebirds (Elphick et. al. 2010). Manipulation of vegetation, preferably through rolling, creates open conditions required by this suite of birds as a means to detect and avoid predators, and provides nutrient inputs for invertebrate production. Download full enhancement activity E646139Z3 (PDF, 216KB)
Enhancement Name
E646139Z4
Applicable Land Use
Shorebird habitat, extended late season shallow water with manipulation to enhance habitat continuity and space
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
5 years
Enhancement Description
Suitable shorebird habitat is limited during the summer and fall as birds migrate south post-breeding. Providing shallow water with manipulation of vegetation creates a network or continuity of habitat required by this suite of migratory birds during a time when it may otherwise be in low abundance. Optimal conditions are created when water levels are slowly reduced through evaporation, which allows for propagation of invertebrates (typically insect larvae) used as food by shorebirds. Manipulation of vegetation, preferably through rolling, creates open conditions required by this suite of birds as a means to detect and avoid predators, and provides nutrient inputs for invertebrate production. Download full enhancement activity E646139Z4 (PDF, 216KB)
Enhancement Name
E647136Z1
Manipulate vegetation on fields where rainfall is to be captured and retained to provide enhanced food sources for wildlife
Conservation Practice 647: Early Successional Habitat Development /Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Harvested and idled agricultural lands, notably those occurring within rice rotations, contain high densities of residual (i.e., waste) grain and natural seeds following harvest. Seed densities in harvested rice fields may rival those documented in intensively managed moist-soil units, especially in the Gulf Coast and Central Valley of California. When flooded to shallow depths during fall and winter, these agricultural fields provide ideal foraging habitat for myriad species of waterfowl and wading birds. In addition, flooded conditions promote establishment of aquatic invertebrate populations, thus providing protein-rich food sources for shorebirds as well as waterfowl and wading birds. In many cases, light manipulation of dense vegetation is needed to improve the accessibility of food resources to waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds.Download full enhancement activity E647136Z1 (PDF, 215KB)
Enhancement Name
E647136Z2
Provide early successional habitat between first rice crop and ratoon crop to support important wildlife food sources
Conservation Practice 647: Early Successional Habitat Development /Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Many declining suites of wildlife species rely on early successional habitats for at least part of their life cycle needs. Migratory shorebird species in particular rely on open, moist soil or shallowly flooded conditions for foraging and security. Rice farms support many migratory and resident water bird species. The first rice crop harvest often coincides with the arrival of early migrating shorebirds. This time of year is also the highest rainfall months. If standing rice stubble from the first crop is rolled to push above-ground stalks level with the soil surface, the first component of this type of habitat is met. When moisture is added to this situation, short-term habitat is available until the ratoon crop initiates growth to a height beyond that which would provide benefit to the early successional species. Download full enhancement activity E647136Z2 (PDF, 214KB)
Enhancement Name
E647136Z3
Establish and maintain moist soil vegetation on cropland edges to increase wildlife food sources and habitat diversity
Conservation Practice 647: Early Successional Habitat Development Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
The wetter or more water saturated portions of cropland fields such as areas adjacent to field drains, have the potential to produce a significant amount of moist soil plants which are a tremendously valuable source of forage and cover for many waterfowl, shorebird and wading bird species, especially during a period of time when such plants may be limited. Under normal cropland production, the native vegetation is restricted on these sites through mechanical and/or chemical control. These maintained moist soil plants also will provide filtering and improve water quality.
Manipulate vegetation on fields where rainfall is to be captured and retained to provide enhanced cover and shelter for wildlife
Conservation Practice 647: Early Successional Habitat Development /Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Harvested and idled agricultural lands, notably those occurring within rice rotations, contain high densities of residual (i.e., waste) grain and natural seeds following harvest. Seed densities in harvested rice fields may rival those documented in intensively managed moist-soil units, especially in the Gulf Coast and Central Valley of California. When flooded to shallow depths during fall and winter, these agricultural fields provide ideal foraging habitat for myriad species of waterfowl and wading birds. In addition, flooded conditions promote establishment of aquatic invertebrate populations, thus providing protein-rich food sources for shorebirds as well as waterfowl and wading birds. In many cases, light manipulation of dense vegetation is needed to improve the accessibility of food resources to waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds. Download full enhancement activity E647137Z1 (PDF, KB)
Enhancement Name
E647137Z2
Establish and maintain moist soil vegetation on cropland edges to increase wildlife cover, shelter and habitat diversity
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
The wetter or more water saturated portions of cropland fields such as areas adjacent to field drains, have the potential to produce a significant amount of moist soil plants which are a tremendously valuable source of forage and cover for many waterfowl, shorebird and wading bird species, especially during a period of time when such plants may be limited. Under normal cropland production, the native vegetation is restricted on these sites through mechanical and/or chemical control. These maintained moist soil plants also will provide filtering and improve water quality.
Establish and maintain wildlife habitat continuity by providing early successional, naturally occurring vegetation in ditches and ditch bank borders
Conservation Practice 647: Early Successional Habitat Development Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
This enhancement is to encourage the establishment of early successional, naturally occurring vegetation in ditches, side slope and bank borders to provide cover, critical nesting and brood rearing habitat as well as filtering overland flow and improving water quality. Ditches perform the critical function of removing water from agricultural lands. Allowing naturally occurring vegetation to develop along ditches, including side slopes, banks and borders, will help provide food and cover for wildlife while enhancing aquatic habitat and improving water quality. Ditches and ditch borders provide a foundation that supports a diverse wildlife community including Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and other birds preferring early successional cover. Rabbits, furbearers, amphibians and many other species that inhabit agriculture areas will use this vegetative cover. These areas can also provide critical nesting habitat for the Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula). Download full enhancement activity E647139Z1 (PDF, 196KB)
Enhancement Name
E647139Z2
Provide early successional habitat between first rice crop and ratoon crop to support space and continuity for wildlife
Conservation Practice 647: Early Successional Habitat Development /Management
Applicable Land Use
Crop (Annual & Mixed)
Resource Concern Addressed
Fish & Wildlife – Inadequate Habitat
Enhancement Lifespan
1 year
Enhancement Description
Many declining suites of wildlife species rely on early successional habitats for at least part of their life cycle needs. Migratory shorebird species in particular rely on open, moist soil or shallowly flooded conditions for foraging and security. Rice farms support many migratory and resident water bird species. The first rice crop harvest often coincides with the arrival of early migrating shorebirds and can provide necessary habitat continuity and space. If standing rice stubble from the first crop is rolled to push above-ground stalks level with the soil surface, the first component of this type of habitat is met. When moisture is added to this situation, short-term habitat is available until the ratoon crop initiates growth to a height beyond that which would provide benefit to the early successional species. Download full enhancement activity E647139Z2 (PDF, 214KB)
