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14 ,'
<br />~j~ SOIL SURVEY ~~
<br />ing corn, sugar beets, beans, alfalfa, small grain,
<br />potatotes, and onions. An example of a suitable cropping
<br />system is 3 to 4 years of alfalfa followed by corn, corn for
<br />silage, sugar beets. small grain, or beans. F'cw conserva-
<br />tion practices aro nordrd to maintain top yields.
<br />All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir-
<br />rigation is the most common. Barnyard manure and com-
<br />mercial fertilizer are needed for top yields.
<br />Windbreaks and environmental plantings of trees and
<br />shrubs commonly grown in Lhe area are generally well
<br />suited to this soil. Cultivation Co control competing
<br />vegetation should be continued for as many years as
<br />possible following planting. Trees that arc best sailed and
<br />have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern
<br />redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and
<br />h:tckberr}•. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac,
<br />lilac, Siberian peashrub, and American plum. '
<br />Openland wildlife, such as pheasant, mourning dove,
<br />and cottontail, are best suited to this soil. Wildlife habitat
<br />development, including tree and shrub plantings and
<br />grass plantings to serve as nesting areas, should be suc-
<br />cessCul without irrigation during most years. Under ir-
<br />rigation, good wildlife habitat can be established, benefit-
<br />ing many kinds of opcnland wildlife.
<br />This soil has good potcnti:d for urban and rccrcatiunal
<br />developments. Road design can be modified to compen-
<br />sate (or the limited capacity of this soil to support a load.
<br />Capability class I irrigated.
<br />_ 15-Colby loam. 1 [0 3 nercenl slooea. This is a deep,
<br />welF drained soil on uplands at elevations of 4,ti50 to S,OSU
<br />feet. It Cor~tted in calcareous eolian deposits.
<br />Typically Lhe surface layer is pale brown loam about 12
<br />inches thick. The underlying material is very pale brown
<br />silt loam to a depth oC GO inches.
<br />Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is
<br />high. The effective rooting depth is GO inches or more.
<br />Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is
<br />moderate.
<br />In irrigated areas this soil is suited Lo all crops com-
<br />monly grown in the area, including corn, sugar beets,
<br />beans, alfalfa, small grain, potatoes, and onions. An exam-
<br />ple of a suitable cropping system is 3 to 4 years of alfalfa
<br />followed by corn, corn Cor silage, sugar beets, small grain,
<br />ar beans. Land leveling, ditch lining, and installing
<br />pipelines may be needed for proper water application.
<br />All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir-
<br />rigation is the most common. Barnyard manure and com-
<br />mercial fertilizer arc needed for top yields.
<br />In nonirrigated areas this soil is suited to k•inter ~v heat,
<br />barley, and sorghum. Most of the acreage is plxntcrl to
<br />winter µ~heat.~The predicted average yield is 28 bushels
<br />per acre. The soil is summer followed in alternate years
<br />to allow moisture accumulation. Generally precipitation is
<br />too low for beneficial use oC fertilizer.
<br />Stubble mulch farming, stripcropping, and minimum til-
<br />lage are needed to control soil blowing and water erosion.
<br />Terracing may also be needed to control water erosion.
<br />
<br />,, •~
<br />The potential native vegetation is dominated by bin
<br />grams. Several mid grasses, such as western w•heatgra
<br />and needlcandthrearl, are also present. Potential prorlu
<br />Lion ranges frmn I,fi110 pounds per acre in favorable year
<br />to 1111111 prnu~ds in unfavorahh• years. As tango cunditi~.
<br />deteriorates, the mid grasses decrease; blue grama, bu
<br />falograss, snakeweed, yucca, and fringed sage increa~•
<br />and forage production drops. Undesirable weeds and ;~
<br />nuals invade the site as range condition becomes poorer
<br />Management of vegetation on this soil should be bass
<br />on taking half and leaving half of the total annual prods:
<br />tion. Seeding is desirable if the range is in poor conditi~:
<br />Sideuats grama, little blucstem, western whe:LLgt•ass, bl~
<br />grama, pubescent wheatgrass, and crested wheatg riss ar
<br />suitable for seeding. The grass selected should meet tl.
<br />seasonal requirements oC livestock. IG can he seeded im
<br />a clean, firm sorghum stubble or iL can be drilled into
<br />firm prepared sealbed. Seeding early in spring h.
<br />proven most successful.
<br />Windbreaks and environmental plantings of trees :ir
<br />shrubs commonly grown in the area are generally H,
<br />suited to this soil. Cultivation to control competii
<br />vegetation should be continued for as many years
<br />possible following planting. Trees that are best suited :u.
<br />havo good survival an• Rocky Monnlain juniper, easte~
<br />redcedar, ponderosa pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, :u.
<br />hackberry. The shrubs best suited are skunkbush sum:.
<br />lilac, Siberian peashrub, and American plum.
<br />Openland wildlife, such as pheasant, mourning dog
<br />and cottontail, and rangeland wildlife, such as antelol~~
<br />cottontail, and coyote, are best suited to this soil. Uml•
<br />irrigation, good wildlife habitat can be establislx~~
<br />benefiting many kinds of openland wildlife. Fora~~
<br />production is typically low on rangeland, and grazin
<br />management is needed if livestock and wildlife share tl,.
<br />range. Livestock watering facilities also are utilized i~
<br />various wildlife species.
<br />This soil has good potential for urban and recreation:
<br />development. Road design can be modified to compensat
<br />for the limited capacity of this soil to support a loan
<br />Capability subclass Ile irrigated, LVe nonirrigate~
<br />Loamy Plains range site.
<br />16-Colby loam. 3 l0 5 percent slopes. This is a elect
<br />well drained soil on upland hills and ridges al elevation
<br />of 4,850 to 5,050 feet. It formed in calcareous eoli:i
<br />deposits. Included in mapping are small areas oC soils th:.
<br />have fine sandy loam or loam underlying material.
<br />Typirdly Lhe surface layer is .pale brown loam about I
<br />inches thick: The underlying material is vary pale bru~
<br />silt loam to a depth of GO inches.
<br />Permeability is moderate. Available water capacit}
<br />high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or mar
<br />Surface runoff is'medium to rapid, and the erosion bozos
<br />is moderate.
<br />In irrigated areas this soil is suited to crops common'
<br />grown in Lhe area. Perennial grasses and alfalfa or cl~~
<br />grown crops should be grown at least 50 percent of tl
<br />time. Contour ditches and corrugations can be used in ii
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