Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current, February 28, 1980, ANNUAL REPORT 1979, Image 20

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Heppner gazette-times., February 28, 1980, ANNUAL REPORT 1979, Page Page Four, Image 20

Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR

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Newspaper Page TextRage Four Conservation program identifies objectives The resources Conservation Act of 1977 directs that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's soil and water conservation programs be responsive to the long-term needs of the nation. USDA has addressed this requirement by appraising the soil, water and related resources and identifying seven resource areas of concern and the associated objectives. These are as follows: Sot! Resource Quantity and Quality Reduce soil erosion on agricultural land Retain prime and unique farmland Maintain soil quality Improve the condition ot rangeland Water Quality Reduce the levels of toxic pollutants and dissolved solids Minimize pollution from nutrients and organic wastes Reduce sediment Water Supply and Conservation Increase the efficienty of water use in agriculture Increase agricultural water supplies Fish and Wildlife Habitat Reduce the loss of wetlands Increase instream water flow Improve upland wildlife habitat Upstream Flood Damages 'educe upstream flood damages develop new technology to reduce damages 'revent loss of wetlands and prime agricultural land Energy Conservation and Production Reduce energy use in agriculture Increase energy production on agricultural land Related Natural Resources increase the use of organic wastes Reduce downstream flood losses and sediment from construction sites Reduce the loss of prime and unique farmland to urban uses To address the resource areas of concern, seven board strategies for program development are proposed for public consideration. These strategies represent a range of approaches to a soil and water conservation program. The approach USDA ultimately recommends may be one of these strategies or some combination of strategies. These are as follows: Redirect Present Programs USDA would continue its 34 existing conservation programs, but it would redirect funds and personnel toward new national objectives for conservation. Cross Compliance Farmers and ranchers would be required to solve conservation problems in order to receive assistance under certain USDA farm programs. Regional Resource Projects USDA programs would be directed toward urgent and chronic regional resource problems of national importance. Project plans would be the basis for USDA assistance. State Leadership State governments would develop their own conservation BIG B & C Repair, fnc. Highway 74 lone, OR. 422-7409 422-7418 CatfComplete Tractor, Truck & Auto Repair BIG A PARTS AMERICAN PARTS TURNPINS& BUSHINGS WE WELD CASTINGS TRUCK REPAIR REBUILDING FOR ALE. SIZES OF TRACTORS AIR CONDITIONING ROLLER & IDLER REPAIR WITH AUTOMATIC WELDER programs. After approval by USDA states could receive grants to ensure achievement of national conservation objectives. Regulation Local, state, and national regulations would be coupled with financial and technical assistance to solve conservation problems according to USDA standards. Conservation Performance Bonus Bonus benefits would be paid to farmers and ranchers who voluntarily solve conservation problems on their land. Bonuses cold take the form of higher support payments, cost sharing, or favorable interest rates on loans. Natural Resource Contracts Farmers and ranchers would receive annual payments for reducing erosion, conserving water, and applying other conservation measures. The RCA analysis indicated that an effective soil and water conservation program is essential to prevent continued degradation of the nation's resources. Comments regarding the RCA must be received by March 28. For more information contact the SCS office in Heppner. Farmers save water (Continued from Page 3) due increases the erosion hazard decreases. Another consideration and a major one is contour farming, parallel to the terraces within the sys tem. The maximum benefit to the terrace system would include all of the above practices. In addition, use of chemicals to control vegetation and reduce tillage operations would be highly beneficial. The highest compliment to the terrace structure is to provide the best management system avail able to a farming operation. New hybird characterized as 'breakthrough9 Of the introduced range plants available, very few can be characterized as a "break through." Thus, when a new range plant or an old plant with improved charac teristics comes along, it is worth mentioning. One hybrid which looks as though it might have real promise as a range plant is a cross between bluebunch wheatgrass (Agro pyron spicatum) and quack grass (Agropyron repens). In a recent article, the results of a field trial were released. The hybrid was grown side by side with both of its parents. Several para meters were measured with the performance of the hybrid having some strikingly super ior characteristics. Of major importance the hybrid out produced its bluebunch wheat grass parent remarkably (3x). Digestibility estimates show the hybrid to be quite comparable to its parents. In crude protein, the hybrid showed greater amounts. Studies are currently being conducted on drier sites (17.5 inches on original trial). If similar relative performance was" to occur the future for range forage improvement could be exerting. (Condensation by John Nordheim of article by Thomas E. Bedell in the GRAZIER.) Pistfrilbulto its f : BUORIIL mustard ffir pyrple iresistMt bvmi led!? injedlSo lone 422-7514 Condon 384-2356