USDA Defines ‘Highly Erodible Land’ In Sodbuster Provision HARRISBURG - “Highly erodible land” is a new U.S. Department of Agriculture buzz word. According to a USDA con servationist, this term can have a big impact on fanning operations in Pennsylvania. “The conservation provisions of the 1985 Farm Bill require protection of highly erodible land against soil erosion to keep eligibility for other USDA programs,” declared Gene Thompson, Food & Agriculture Council (FAC) Chairman. Most county farmers benefit from one or more of the involved USDA programs, such as crop subsidies, farm loans, disaster payments and crop insurance. Nationally 80 percent of the farmers will be affected by this portion of the farm bill. The question of what is highly credible land is on the mind of many county farmers. USDA defines highly erodible You’re look ing at the ste; the century. $6OO off a Simplicity 4212 H m Lawn Tractor with 36" mower. I ■ Briggs & Stratton 12 hp Indus trial/Commercial engine. 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Kennett Square, Pa. 19348 215-444-5480 land as that with the potential to erode excessively when cultivated without adequate conservation treatment. In further refining the definition, land without cover or conservation practices which would erode eight or more times faster than it is being formed would be classes as highly erodible. Knee the definition includes the “potential to erode,” large acreages of pasture, woodland and other farmland will also come under the provisions if converted to cropland. Nationally, 117 million acres of cropland and 227 million acres of noncropland have been identified as highly erodible. Erodibility of the land is determined by a combination of the Land Capability Classification System and the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) as used by the Soil Conservation Service. USLE is a determination of the actual erosion occurring on the land. Both Sim* MOUNTAIN TOP NIEMEYER SERVICE LAWNMOWERSHOP CENTER 234 Church Rd. 19 S. Newtown St. Rd. Mountain Top, Newtown Square, Pa. 18707 Pa. 19073 717-474-5338 215-356-2672 JScSii WITH THIS COUPON $ 6OO OFF' Suggested Retail Price $2,599; Now Only $1,999 Model 4ZI2HW6 limit, one per purchaae. methods use the soil units in the county soil survey report as the basis for determination. Land Capability Classes I through VI are increasingly fragile. “All Class 111, IV and VI soils are highly erodible”, reported Robert Heidecker, Soil Con servation Service. Class I soils are not highly erodible. The questionable soils are in Class 11. Factors such as climate, topography and soil properties determine which Class II soils are or are not highly erodible. SCS is directed by the Farm Bill to identify highly erodible soils where they are intended for use as cropland, and where the fanner wishes to remain eligible for USDA benefits. SCS field offices are prepared to help fanners determine whether their fields have highly erodible soils. The amount of highly erodible land determines if a farmer must imfortable iperation. 2-year limited /arranty. Stop in and see the Simplicity 4212 H Lawn Tractor. Because missing a deal this good is a real crime. Financing Available. For qualified buyers with ap proved credit, 15% down and easy monthlypayments at competitive rates. Special deferred payment or low interest rate offers are avail able from time to time. Ask us for details. L.H. BRUBAKER 350 Strasburg Pike Lancaster, Pa. 17602 717-397-5179 apply soil conservation practices to benefit from other USDA programs. For a field to be con sidered highly erodible, one-third or more of the field must be highly erodible or the area of highly erodible soils must excede 50 acres. Under the provision commonly called sodbuster, all land not planted to a commodity crop during 1981-85 but plowed after Dec. 23, 1965 would require ap plication of needed soil con servation practices within two years of plowing to maintain USDA program eligibility. Any of this land plowed in 1968 or later must have the needed practices applied before plowing to remain eligible. Commodity crops are annual tilled crops. Under the conservation com pliance provision, any farmer who has been planting an annual crop BOLLINGER’S FARM MARKET 1755 W. Main St. Ephrata, Pa. 17522 Ephrata, Lancaster, Hershey 717-738-1131 © 1987 Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 7,1957-E9 on highly credible land must have a conservation plan and begin application of practices by January 1, 1990. Hie local con servation district must approve the conservation plan. The (dan must be implemented by January 1, 1995 to maintain eligibility Thompson cautioned that if far mers become ineligible, he or she loses USDA program benefits on all the land farmed by that in dividual, not just, on the highly erodiblepart. Farmers with questions about highly credible land should contact the USDA Soil Conservation Service office for their county. SCS will also assist with the develop ment of conservation plans and with the application of practices. Cost sharing for practice ap plication may be available from the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. TOLL FREE LONGDISTANCE PHONE SERVICE Call Anywhere In The U.S.A. For Only $lOO/Month Flat Rate NO TIME LIMIT OR NUMBER OF CALLS PER MONTH Enroll Others And Get Paid $7O And $2O Per Month, Plus $5 Each To And Including The 6th Level. Enroll 5 People And Have Your Long Distance Service FREE. I For More Information, Contact : IVAN MARTIN ■ 522 Prescott Rd. 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