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objectives and the level of applied management in any given year (or season) result in short <br />term variation in production, while site characteristics, including topography and depth of soils, <br />determine long term production. Soils range from moderately deep to shallow foams, but most <br />operators acknowledged the presence of rock ridges with shallow soil cover in several of the <br />fields. Topography affects the level of efficiency for irrigation water application when using <br />flood type irrigation. Undulating topography with irregular contours results in areas receiving <br />too little water and other areas receiving an excess, resulting in boggy conditions or the <br />drowning out of more desirable species such as alfalfa. <br />The varying management objectives and level of inputs are best illustrated by summarizing <br />information provided by the various operators during 1987. Goforth makes a conscientious <br />effort towards irrigation water management, fertilizes with approximately 150 pounds /acre of <br />18 -46 -0 fertilizer and occasionally with 150 pounds /acre of potash, and does not overutilize the <br />aftermath in the hay fields during the non - growing season. The fields are also periodically <br />renovated. <br />Periodic renovation and application of phosphorous fertilizer on a regular basis maintains a <br />good alfalfa component in a stand which significantly increases yields and forage quality <br />(Heath et al. 1985 and Schumaker et al. 1967). By comparison, the Morgan hay fields (San <br />Miguel property) were grazed heavily by livestock during the late winter and into the early <br />spring after growth had started. Morgan does not fertilize regularly and alfalfa composition in <br />the stand is low, while poorer producing species, such as Kentucky bluegrass and buckhorn <br />plantain, have a high composition. Several rock ridges with shallow soils also occur in these <br />fields, further reducing potential production. Burbridge, who does not fertilize his hay fields, <br />has little alfalfa in the stand, and significant areas of shallow soils with rock ridges. Combined, <br />these result in a potentially low level of productivity in his hay fields. However the hay <br />production from this field is adequate to meet Burbridge's needs and thus the incentive for <br />more intensified management is not there. It should be pointed out that Burbridge's cut hay <br />was rained on twice and turned twice before baling which will reduce both the yield and quality <br />of hay. Staats' hay production values, though higher than most first cuttings, still does not <br />reflect the potential production. Because of land leveling on Staats' fields, cut areas (exposing <br />subsoil materials with lower production potential) have lower overall yields, though irrigation <br />water management is benefited. Staats' fields (in the proposed permit area) north of Calamity <br />Revised September 2010 (PR 06) 2.04.10 -36 <br />