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<br />Section 2.05.4(2)(d) Page 13 April 2022 (PR-09) <br />Irrigated Cropland (Prime Farmland) Topsoil Preparation Procedures <br /> <br />Topsoil replacement operations may be carried out during most of the year, the exception being <br />those periods when wet conditions would preclude handling of the topsoil materials. <br /> <br /> Deep ripping of topsoil - Upon successful completion of placing topsoil on the ripped <br />Bench 1 the topsoil will be ripped to a depth of at least 2 inches greater than the depth of <br />topsoil. This will alleviate compaction of the topsoil and assist in the removal of any <br />boundaries between the ripped Bench 1 and topsoil. <br /> <br /> Land leveling - A blade pulled behind a farm tractor is used to level the topsoil surface <br />and allow a smoother surface for seeding. <br /> <br /> Rock picking – Rock picking is done by a mechanical device that is pulled behind a tractor <br />that windrows rocks and then another device that picks up large rocks over approximately <br />2.5 inches in diameter. Rocks up to approximately 24" diameter can be picked up by the <br />device. Sandstone lenses that are identified in any topsoil or Bench 1 will be buried in <br />lower Bench 1 overburden, at least eight feet below the topsoil level. <br /> <br /> Fertility testing - Three soil samples will be obtained in the field to be tested. The field is <br />defined as that area that has recently been topsoiled. Samples will be taken and analyzed <br />by a lab using the standard soil test for pH, salts, organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, and <br />phosphorous. The lab will be informed that the desired crop is irrigated alfalfa and that <br />the tonnage rate is 5.5 tons per acre. The reference area will be sampled separately. <br /> <br /> Disking - Prior to final seedbed preparation, soil conditioning and weed control tillage <br />will be carried out through disking or other standard agricultural practice. Disking will be <br />used to condition soil, break up clods, and control weeds prior to seeding. If annual weeds <br />are a problem, several tillage operations may be required to get adequate control. <br /> <br /> Final Seedbed Preparation - (For irrigated areas) Cultipacking prior to seeding will be <br />conducted if land leveling did not provide a smooth soil surface for seeding. The best <br />period for tillage in these areas may be in the early spring prior to the irrigation season. <br />For flood irrigated areas - A standard marker will create furrows of approximately 4" to <br />6" depth on 30" centers, which is standard for the gated pipe used for the flood irrigation. <br /> <br /> Fertilizer Application - Based on the results of fertility testing, fertilizer of the designated <br />type will be applied at the rate specified from the lab testing. Fertilizer applications may <br />be delivered through the irrigation system, by tractor with a broadcast spreader, or <br />alternate method. The fertilizer will be applied in the same year that the fertility testing is <br />done. Ongoing fertility testing after initial seeding is described in Section 2.05.4(2)(e)