2010-05-25_REVISION - C1981008 (5)

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6.3 Irrigated Pasture - Hayland Type (IPH) Since this description was originally written by IRI in 1999, the Morgan fields east of the fenceline in the southwest portion of the 1999 study area have been re- classified as Irrigated Cropland (IC). Therefore, the discussion and tables for this vegetation type include some Morgan fields which are Irrigated Cropland (IC) and some Irrigated Pasture - Hayland fields (IPH). The original narrative, which has not been changed, is included below. The irrigated pasture hayland type occurs on property owned by Morgan, Johnson and Benson. Only Johnson and Morgan are currently mowing and baling hay from their fields. Benson property northwest of BB and 2700 Road has been used only for irrigated pasture in the last several years. These fields generally occur on soil map units 98D and 98E (NHM 2.04.9 - Soil Resource Information) within the study area. Slopes range 1 to 4 percent with a small area of slopes up to 6 percent. Results are summarized in Table 2.04.10 -18. The Morgan property has three hayland fields. The first field of 21 acres is currently raising alfalfa. The field has been furrowed and is supplied water via gated irrigation pipe. Morgan manages the alfalfa by plowing it up every 5 to 7 years. The field is disked and furrowed. The field is then fertilized and planted to alfalfa. Each year the furrows are cleaned to insure the proper flow of irrigation water. The field yielded 2,034 bales on first cutting in 1999 with and average bale weight of 88 lb/bale. The production for this field was 178,992 pounds (2,034 bales X 88 lb/bale) or 8,523 lb/acre. The second Morgan hayland field of 28 acres is a mixture of grasses and forbs with approximately 10 to 15 percent alfalfa. The field was not irrigated this year and white tail prairie dogs have invaded about 1/8 of the field. Further cattle grazed the field from late winter into the growing season. Morgan was going to renovate the field but did not have the time this year. Morgan mowed and baled the field to reduce annual weeds and allow for future operations. The field yielded 394 bales on first cutting with an average bale weight of 81 lb/bale. The production for this field was 31,914 pounds (394 bales X 81 lb/bale) or 1,140 lb/acre. The third field on the Morgan property was a small sub - irrigated 1 acre parcel of grass and forbs. The field yielded 21 bales on first cutting with an average bale weight of 87 lb/bale. The production for this field was 1,827 pounds (21 bales X 87 lb/bale) or 1,827 lb/acre. Johnson's property has two hayland fields that yielded similar production. The first pasture on the western portion of the property is 20 acres in size. The field is primarily grasses and forbs (Revised October 2009) 2.04.10-69