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No specific yield data was available for the 1987 study area. An estimate of the capability of <br />the major soils in the study area may be gained by review of the soils map unit descriptions <br />and soils interpretation sheets (SCS Form 5's) contained in Section 2.04.9, Soils Resource <br />Information. For the Barx series (map unit 70B), the more extensive of the two series cropped, <br />the following values might be achieved under a high level of management (irrigated): corn <br />silage - 22 tons /acre, alfalfa hay - 5.5 tons /acre, grass hay - 4.5 tons /acre, oats - 80 <br />bushels /acre, and barley - 110 bushels /acre. For the Progresso series (map unit 30C), the <br />following values may be attainable under a high level of management (irrigated): corn silage <br />18 tons /acre, alfalfa - 5 tons /acre, grass hay - 4 tons /acre, oats 70 bushels /acre, and barley - <br />110 bushels /acre. Interviews with the operator managing the cropland areas indicated that <br />actual yields are much lower. It was estimated by this operator that corn silage production was <br />13 tons /acre, barley was 60 bushels /acre, with wheat as high as 30 bushels /acre; all values <br />indicating a lower level of management applied or reflecting poorer site conditions than what <br />the soil survey indicates, or a combination of both. <br />The cropland area in the western portion of the perr ._ area has been managed by Mr. Frank <br />Morgan for approximately 20 years (personal communication, August 1988). During that time <br />the lands were used for haying and annual grains. <br />Mr. Morgan estimated that the cropland within the western portion of the permit area yields <br />about 60 bushels per acre for barley and 20 -25 bushels per acre for winter wheat. Mr. Zene <br />Weimer, farm operator in the Nucla area, was contacted because of his familiarity with the <br />lands in question (personal communication, August 1988). His independent estimate of yields <br />for the cropland area in the permit area was similar to Morgan's. An estimate of potential grass <br />hay production may be gained from evaluation of the hay fields just north of the cropland areas <br />August 2013 (PR 08) 2.04.10 -51 <br />