2003 Environmental Quality Incentive Program

Local Work Group Summary for Clovis

Introduction:

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Clovis Field Office is located at 918 Parkland in the city of Clovis, New Mexico. The local NRCS field office works in conjunction with the Central Curry Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to provide technical assistance to producers within Curry County and the panhandle of Roosevelt County. Curry County is located on the High Plains of central eastern New Mexico. The area includes dry cropland, irrigated cropland, and rangeland. All cropland has been designated as highly erodible. The irrigated cropland is primarily located in the southern portion of the county and is served by a rapidly declining Ogallala aquifer. The past 10 years have resulted in an influx of dairies from other parts of the country which capitalize on the advantages of an arid climate. Cash receipts are generated from the production of corn, wheat, grain sorghum, cotton, hay, cattle, and related dairy products. Average rainfall for the area is 17.5 inches with 180 frost free days.

Local Work Group:

The Local Work Group (LWG) is comprised of individuals from the Central Curry SWCD, NM State Land Office, Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee, NM Department of Agriculture – Field Representative, NM State University-CES, NRCS Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), NM Game and Fish, US Fish & Wildlife, and staff from NRCS. Approximately 20 individuals attended preliminary meetings held on October 2, and December 3, 2002. An additional meeting was open to stakeholders on February 19, 2003. Fifteen individuals attended the final Local Work Group (LWG) meeting on April 7, 2003, to gather input and make final decisions with regard to the FY 2003 Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).

Priority Resource Concerns:

Several resource concerns will be addressed under the following land uses; irrigated cropland, dry cropland, and rangeland. Irrigated cropland concerns include decreased groundwater quantity, water quality with regard to protecting the Ogallala aquifer, excessive soil erosion on pivot corners, impaired air quality, and decreased habitat for wildlife. Resource concerns on dry cropland are identified as excessive soil erosion as a result of both wind and water, and decreased habitat for wildlife. Rangeland concerns include excessive soil erosion as a result of wind and water, condition of the plant community, and decreased habitat for wildlife. A variety of conservation practices listed on the ranking criteria will be used to address the aforementioned resource concerns on each corresponding land use. The LWG desires to address resource concerns related to livestock manure management as a result of the Animal Feeding Operations/Confined Animal Feeding Operations (AFO/CAFO). Applicable conservation practices will primarily address water quality concerns and the improvement of existing facilities. The LWG also wishes to address excessive soil erosion, impaired air quality, and decreased wildlife habitat on any of the aforementioned land uses accomplished exclusively through the installation of windbreaks.

Funding Considerations:

The LWG discussed the allocation of funds to the priority resource concerns. Consensus was met with funds to be allocated as follows:

• Irrigated Cropland – 50%
• Dry Cropland – 25%
• Rangeland – 10%
• Livestock Manure Management – 10%
• Windbreaks – 5%

In the event that dollars remain in any category (applications must meet minimum ranking criteria for funding to occur), the remaining funds will be allocated in direct proportion to the requests received in the other categories. However, it is anticipated that the total funding requests will greatly exceed the funds received.

Cost Docket: Refer to Cost Docket

Practices to be Eligible:

Conservation practices not applicable for addressing local resource concerns have been indicated with a zero cost share rate.

Cost Share Rates and Incentive Payments:

Cost share rates were considered and reviewed by the LWG. The following recommendations were made. All practices will be cost shared at 50% with following exceptions:

• Brush Management (314) – 65%
• Dike (356) – 65%
• Diversion (362) – 65%
• Diversion, minor structure (362A) - 65%
• Grassed Waterway (412) – 65%
• Terraces (600) – 65%
• Irrigation System Trickle (441), in association with windbreak (380), 75%
• Windbreak/shelterbelt establishment (380) – 75%

The LWG recommended brush management be set at 65% cost share rate as established for all adjoining counties. The application of this particular practice is extremely costly to producers with mechanical grubbing of Mesquite costing $50/ac to control a light infestation of this invasive species. Though the application of this practice is needed in a very small portion of the Central Curry SWCD, it is the opinion of the LWG that producers should be afforded the higher cost share rate in an effort to help defray the cost and maintain the productivity of their rangeland. The LWG is requesting a 65% cost share rate for common excavation and placement associated with the construction of dikes, diversions, grassed waterways, and terraces. These practices are commonly applied on dry cropland and will not result in increasing the producer’s profit margin through increased yields. However, these costly conservation practices are very valuable in terms of protecting the resource base from water erosion. Windbreak establishment and drip irrigation associated with this practice have historically been set at 75%. The LWG is requesting a continuation of 75% cost share. Windbreaks play an important role in reducing soil erosion around farmsteads, providing protection for livestock and habitat for wildlife. A 50% cost share rate would discourage producers from applying this practice.  

Incentive payments: The LWG is recommending an incentive payment of $7.50/acre for prescribed grazing (528A) when applied to enhance habitat for the Lesser Prairie Chicken. The incentive will be awarded if a confirmed lek site is within one mile of EQIP contracted acreage and pastures are deferred from grazing for a time frame specified as August 1 through June 1. The LWG is also recommending an incentive payment of $40.00/acre on dry cropland for producers who apply the practice of Residue Management, No-Till (329B). A 1993 publication documenting chemical costs associated with various wheat/grain sorghum/fallow cropping combinations indicates costs could be as high as $37.54/acre. It is the recommendation of the LWG that residue not be baled or grazed on no till acres. Justification for the recommendation of $40.00/acre is based on several factors; increased chemical costs (above 1993 publication), loss of revenue from not grazing cattle, and the fact that no-till is not a widely adopted conservation practice within the Central Curry SWCD. The LWG is recommending the practice be limited to no more than 480 acres for three consecutive years per producer regardless of county. Producers currently applying no-till, or who have previously received cost share payments for this practice are not eligible.

There will be a $50,000 per contract financial assistance limitation for Manure Transfer (634) and Brush Management (314).

 Ranking Criteria:

The LWG reviewed and discussed the use of the Ranking Criteria Worksheets for Irrigated Cropland, Dry Cropland, Rangeland, Livestock Manure Management, and Windbreaks. The attached Worksheets are recommended for the FY2003 EQIP Program. The ranking criteria worksheets are self-explanatory. Points are assigned based on the priority resource concerns. The higher priority applications will be awarded contracts until funds are exhausted. Tie breakers are established as follows:

• Irrigated Cropland – Points under Section 1 (water quantity), irrigation system efficiency as evaluated by FIRS.
• Dry Cropland – Soil Erodibility Index. If still tied, a random drawing will be conducted.
• Rangeland – Applications will be eliminated from consideration from funding if no points are awarded under Section 1 (similarity index).
• Livestock Manure Management concern – Age of Dairy (see ranking criteria).
• Windbreaks – No tie breaker specified. Differentiations on applications will occur as a result of the length modifier.

Timelines, Evaluation Periods:

The deadline for accepting applications for FY 2003 was established as March 14, 2003. Applications will be ranked as EQIP program proposals and ranking criteria are approved. All EQIP funds will be obligated by July 3, 2003.

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