CRP Gras Mixtures. Why?

by Thomas L. Flowers, District Conservationist
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Meade, Kansas

The very popular Conservation Reserve Program or “CRP” was first authorized with the 1985 Farm Bill and has been re-authorized with each subsequent farm bill. Not only has it been re-authorized, but it has also been expanded with each farm bill. As government programs go, probably none has been as successful as the CRP.

The CRP in Kansas tries to establish native grasses or trees on cropland. As the program grew, its mission changed from treatment of highly erodible land to also providing habitat for certain wildlife species. In Meade County, the entire county has been designated as a priority treatment area for the lesser prairie chicken and grass plantings are designed specifically to address the habitat needs of this species.

Lessons have been learned as the CRP grew. Early plantings provided excellent winter habitat for a large number of species. Many songbird species responded well to the plantings. Pheasant, quail, and prairie chickens did not respond as well as was hoped. The reason? Lack of suitable brood habitat!

Wildlife biologists identified that while nesting habitat was excellent for most bird species, a critical item was missing in maturing stands of CRP grasses. Young birds eat the insects that live on wildflowers and weeds, known also as forbs. Landowners did too good a job of weed control on these plantings and young birds suffered.

Newer plantings under the CRP now include various wildflowers and legumes in the grass mixture providing that critical element for young pheasants, quail, prairie chickens, and other native birds. This appears to be working well.

So, what about the grasses? Most CRP plantings are composed of four to seven grass species and two forbs native to our area. Although there is some flexibility in the species selection, the mixture is primarily designed to fit the specific soils of the field.

Another design consideration is the grazability of the grasses at the end of the CRP contract. Species selections and varieties are chosen for palatability and overall protein content. A typical CRP planting will have protein all year for livestock. For example, western wheatgrass will have high protein early in the spring while buffalograss and blue grama cure well and provide winter protein. Even the wildflowers are selected for their protein content. Maximilian’s sunflower is a highly palatable, nutritious plant for livestock.

For more information about CRP and native grasses, please contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office or conservation district office located at your local county USDA Service Center.

For more information about NRCS programs, visit the Kansas NRCS Web site at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov.

CRP Plants, Switchgrass Switchgrass is "king" of the native hay grasses. It provides dense stands of grass suitable for haying or grazing. High protein early in the summer make it the grass of choice for livestock. It grows best on rich bottomland soils or in areas receiving supplemental water such as in draws or terrace channels.	CRP Plants, Indiangrass Indiangrass is one of several species of native grasses found in traditional CRP grass plantings. The state grass of Oklahoma, Indiangrass provides high protein levels for livestock throughout the summer months.
CRP Plants, Little Bluestem Little Bluestem is another native grass in traditional CRP grass mixtures. It thrives on depleted soils and provides excellent early season forage for livestock. Being a bunchgrass, it also provides suitable nesting habitat for many native grassland songbirds.	CRP Plants, Maximilian's Sunflower Maximilian's Sunflower is one of the native wildflowers which has been added to many Conservation Reserve Program grass seeding mixtures. This beautiful wildflower serves a dual purpose in providing high quality forage for livestock and also in providing insects needed for young birds to survive their first few weeks of life.

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Last Modified: 09/17/2008