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• systems contribute to areas of higher production or occur as small inclusions of the <br />swale/drainage vegetation type. <br />The overall composition and species diversity of the site is indicative of the generally poor <br />condition of the irrigated pasture type. Both Kentucky bluegrass and buckhorn plantain dominate <br />the composition of the stand and have frequencies of occurrence of about 90 percent (see Table <br />2.04.10-5). The considerable presence of quackgrass, field bindweed, and dandelion is also <br />indicative of the deteriorated pasture condition. Most of the operators contacted indicated that a <br />standard pasture mix originally was used to establish most of the pastures. Smooth brome <br />(Bromoasis inermis sso. inermis), orchardgrass, timothy, white Dutch clover, and red clover <br />occurred in the pasture type and are normally included in standard irrigated pasture mixes. <br />The most productive, nutritious and easily managed irrigated pasture systems contain only one <br />or two grasses and a legume (Heath et al. 1985 and Stewart 1973). Proper stocking, grazing <br />rotations allowing for regrowth periods, grazing periods timed to irrigation frequencies, controlling <br />animal pressure during the off-grazing season, and fertilizer applications based on soil tests are <br />• all components of good pasture management. Varying levels of these management inputs are <br />used by the local operators, but observations indicate none are at the required levels. Woody <br />densities within the irrigated pastures are incidental and a result of the generally low level of <br />management applied. Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) is a common invader shrub of irrigated <br />pastures in the Nucla area, with Russian olive (Eleagnus angustifolia) occurring at lesser levels <br />(see Figure 4-2, Peabody Appendix 10-4). <br />Irrigated Hayland Tvpe. The irrigated hayland type occurs on a variety of soils and landforms <br />within the study area. Generally, the lands with less steep slopes and deeper soils are selected, <br />however, steeper slopes and shallow soils may be encountered in any of these hay fields. With <br />the exception of one operator, fields are periodically renovated in order to maximize hay <br />production and quality. Renovation is oriented towards removing undesirable weedy or poor <br />producing species, eliminating sod bound conditions, and reestablishing an alfalfa Medica o <br />satira) dominated stand with one or two associated grasses. The single operator who does not <br />periodically renovate, manages his hay field as a grass dominated stand with a clover <br />sub-component. This field is similar in composition to the better levels of irrigated pasture. <br />• (REVISED 8/15/00) 2.04.10 - 30 <br />