Laserfiche WebLink
attain a good level of productivity with only one to two grasses and a legume under continuing and <br />adequate management inputs. This includes scheduled irrigation, annual fertilization based on <br />soils tests and plant needs, and grazing management or proper harvest methods. As stated earlier <br />in the discussion on revegetation of the irrigated pasture type, annual fertilization of irrigated <br />pastures is part of the normal husbandry applied to maintain vigor and productivity. The <br />requirements for establishment of woody plant densities, species diversity, and seasonal variety <br />are irrelevant to the irrigated pasture vegetation type and postmining land use. Therefore, the <br />standards of revegetation success for the irrigated pasture type will be based on production and <br />"live cover ". <br />As can be seen in Table 2.05.4(2)(e) -4, all local farmers harvest their irrigated fields one time <br />during the year. There are a few farmers that attempt a second and third cutting but the majority <br />of the production comes from the 1st cutting. The success stbndard`for WFC's irrigated pasture <br />will involve statistically adequate sampling based comparison #o an approved reference area The <br />sampling will be conducted a single time during late May - early_ June ( immediately prior to V5. cut <br />harvest of the reclaimed fields; with reference and reclaimed areas to be sampled within a 7 day <br />time frame.) It needs to be emphasized that these measurements were accurately measured by <br />Peabody in 1987 for fields that contained alfalfa hay and the yield was only 0.82 tons per acre <br />Prior to TR -58 of 2008, the production standard for irrigated pasture was 1.50 tons per acre. <br />Considerable evidence shows that this standard is too high. See below. <br />1) The information from Table 2.05.4(2)(e) -4, which shows that the yields for 1987 forirrigated hay <br />were only (1639 Ibs) 0.82 tons per acre. Although this is only one year of information, it is still <br />carefully collected data that is not based on visual estimates. <br />2) The fact that most irrigated fields contain alfalfa which is a high production plant, but as years <br />go in a given field, the percentage of alfalfa dwindles, thus lowering the yields. Since the bond <br />release period is 10 years, the mine is handicapped since the sampling can only occur in the 9 <br />and 10 year after seeding. <br />Revised April /09 TR58 2.05.4(2)(e) - 19 74—bQ <br />HpPmved <br />