The process of converting old CRP to a new CRP practice can vary depending on the type of practice you’re enrolled in, as well as the condition of the land where it’s being established. The preparation of your land is very important for ensuring a successful conversion especially if the land has previously been in CRP.
Even if you’re reenrolling in the same CRP practice as before, you may need to perform upgrades to meet current practice standards.
However, those who reenroll in CRP often change to a different practice. There are a number of reasons why you may consider switching practices, such as establishing pollinator habitat or nesting cover for wildlife.
Whatever the reason, there are some important steps to be followed when it comes to converting land from one CRP practice to another. At FDCE, we work in tandem with farmers and landowners, helping them successfully convert Old CRP ground to a new CRP practice.
Here is what our process looks like.
Mowing Vegetation
The first step we perform is herbicide application. Before this can be done, though, your land may need to be mowed. If the current vegetation is greater than 3’ by August 1st, it should be mowed down to 12”-18” prior to our spraying. If it is less than 3’ tall, no mowing is needed on your part.
As for trees or other woody vegetation, if there are any taller than 3’, they should be cut flush with the ground and then removed entirely. This prevents us from getting flats on our equipment and keeps you in compliance with your CRP contract.
Herbicide Application
Once the land is mowed and cleared of any woody vegetation, we will apply herbicide before the vegetation goes dormant in the fall. We have our own herbicide and spraying equipment that meets the necessary requirements for CRP.
Burning is Optional (but Very Helpful)
One more thing you can do to help with the process is burning the existing CRP after the herbicide application when the vegetation is dead and dry. This ensures full removal of the previous vegetation, which allows for better seed placement. Burning also eliminates years of dead vegetation that has built up on the soil surface. By eliminating this “duff” layer, sunlight and resulting heat extends the growing season necessary for establishment of warm season grasses and forbs.
Herbicide Application: Part 2
Once springtime comes around, herbicide is reapplied to newly germinated vegetation before or at the same time the new CRP seed is planted.
CRP Seed is Planted
With the old vegetation gone and fresh herbicide applied, it’s time to plant the new CRP seed. We formulate a CRP seed mix based on the requirements of your NRCS conservation plan. We then use our specialized equipment to perform no-till planting.
Once the establishment process is complete, we’ll finalize the necessary paperwork for cost-share reporting, providing a copy to both you and FSA.
Ready to Begin?
With enrollment currently open for CCRP and CREP, now is the time to act. At FDCE, our full-service CRP solutions guide you through the entire enrollment and establishment process. We’ll gladly answer any preliminary questions you might have, and we can even help you decide which practice to join.
Contact us today.