CRP-Management Access Program

Management Improvement

Overview

CRP-MAP is unique in that it provides more public hunting lands while at the same time improves habitat for pheasants and other wildlife on CRP lands in NEBRASKA. In order to qualify for CRP-MAP a landowner must agree to improve 10% of the CRP land by lightly disking or conducting a prescribed burn and interseeding with a legume.

The combination of light disking or burning and legume interseeding is a proven technique employed by wildlife managers in many states. The purpose of the light disking is to create soil disturbance that will encourage pioneer plants such as ragweed, clover, pigweed, goldenrod, sunflowers, asters, etc. Establishment of these plants will add to plant diversity needed to sustain healthy wildlife populations. The legume, a natural nitrogen fixator promotes insects which are crucial to young chick survival.

Timing/Technique

Light disking can be done either in the fall or spring. The disking should be "light" enough so that erosion does not occur but "heavy" enough to create adequate soil disturbance. If a heavy thatch layer of grass makes disking impossible, then it may be necessary to mow or shred the area first. Prescribed burns should be done in the spring. Legume interseeding should be done immediately following the disking or burning. Sweet clover, alfalfa, and red clover are the preferred non-native legumes.

Site Selection

A biologist from the Game and Parks Commission will conduct a site visit of the CRP land to determine the best location for the light disking/interseeding. Site selection will be determined based on accessibility, erosion potential, plant composition/structure, and other factors. When possible alternating strips will be encouraged to maximize the effects of the habitat work.

Weed Control

Noxious weeds should be controlled by spot spraying or cutting only. Broadcast spraying will disqualify the landowner since this technique is non-selective and would eliminate beneficial forbs and the legumes.