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<br />Stubble mulch farming, stripcropping, and minimum tillage are needed to control soil
<br />blowing and water erosion, Terracing also may lx needed Co control water erosion.
<br />The potential native vegetation is dominated by blue grama. Several mid grasses, such as
<br />western wheatgrass and needleandthread, are also present. Potential production ranges from
<br />1,600 pounds per acre in favorable years to 1,000 pounds in unfavorable years. As range
<br />condition deteriorates, the mid grasses decrease; blue grama, buffalograss, snakeweed, yucca,
<br />and fringed sage increase; and forage production drops. Undesvable weeds and annuals
<br />invade the site as range condition becomes poorer.
<br />Management of vegetation on this soil should be based on taking half and leaving half of
<br />the rota) annual production. Seeding is desirable if the range is in poor condition. Sideoats
<br />grama, little bluestem, western wheatgrass, blue puma, pubescent wheatgrass, and crested
<br />wheatgrass are suitable for seeding. The grass selected should meet the seasonal requirements
<br />of livestock. It can be seeded into a clean, firm sorghum stubble, or it can be drilled into a
<br />firm prepared seedbed. Seeding eazly in spring has proven most successful.
<br />Windbreaks and environmental plantings of trees and shrubs commonly grown in the area
<br />are generally weft suited to this soil. Cultivation to control competing vegetation should be
<br />continued for as many years as possible following planting. Trees that are best suited and
<br />have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian
<br />elm, Russian-olive, and hackberry. The shmbs best suited aze skunkbush sumac, lilac,
<br />Siberian peashrub, and American plum.
<br />Wildlife is an important secondary use of [his soil. The cropland areas provide favorable
<br />habitat for ring-necked pheasant and mourning dove. Many nongame species can be attracted
<br />by establishing areas for nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover
<br />is essential and should be included in plans for habitat development, especially in areas of
<br />intensive agriculture. Rangeland wildlife, far example, the pronghorn antelope, can be
<br />amacted by developing livestock watering Facilities, managing livestock grazing, and
<br />reseeding where needed.
<br />This soil has good potential for urban and recreational development. Increased population
<br />growtft in the survey area has resulted in increased homesite construction. The chief limiting
<br />soil feature for urban development and road construction is the limited capacity of this soil to
<br />suppon a load. Septic tank absorption fields function properly, but community sewage
<br />systems should be provided if the population density increases. Because of the permeability
<br />of the substratum, sewage lagoons must be sealed. Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well.
<br />Capability subclass ile irrigated, IVe nonirrigated; Loamy Plains range site.
<br />52 -Otero sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes. This is a deep, weSl drained soil on plains
<br />at elevations of 4,700 to 5,250 feet. It torrned in mixed outwash and eolian deposits. included
<br />in mapping are small areas of soils that have ]Darn and clay loam underlying material. Also
<br />included aze small areas of soils that have sandstone and shale within a depth of 60 inches.
<br />Typically the surface layer of this Otero soil is brown sandy loam about 10 inches thick.
<br />T'he underlying material to a depth of 60 inches is pale brown calcazeous fine sandy Loam.
<br />permeability is rapid. Available water capacity is moderate. The effective rooting depth is
<br />60 inches or more. Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is low.
<br />This soil is used almost entirely for irrigated crops. It is suited to the crops commonly
<br />grown in the azea. Perennial grasses and alfalfa or close growing craps should be grown at
<br />least 50 percent of the time. Contour ditches and corrugations can be used in irrigating close
<br />grown crops and pasture, farrows, contour furrows, and cross slope furrows are suitable for
<br />row crops. Sprinkler irrigation is also desirable. Keeping tillage to a minimum and utilizing
<br />crop residue help to control erosion. Maintaining fertility is important. Crops respond to
<br />applications of phosphorus and nitrogen.
<br />The potential native vegetation on this site is dominated by sand bluestem, sand reedgrass,
<br />and blue grama. Needleandthread, switchgrass, sideoats grama, and western wheatgrass are
<br />also prominent. Potential production ranges from 2,200 pounds per acre in Cavorable years to
<br />1,800 pounds in unfavorable years. As range condition deteriorates, the sand bluestem, sand
<br />reedgrass, and switchgrass decrease, and blue grams, sand dropseed, and sand sage inctnase.
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