**CCRP Practice**

**CP5A Field Windbreak Establishment**

The purpose of this practice is to establish windbreaks to improve the
environmental benefits on a farm or ranch to, first, reduce cropland
erosion below soil loss tolerance and, second, enhance wildlife habitat.

The maximum allowable practice width will consist of 1 to 3 rows of
trees and/or shrubs spaced according to guidance in the
Windbreak/Shelterbelt Standard, Code 380. The spacing between rows
(row-to-row width) depends on the total number of rows, the species of
trees or shrubs to be planted, and the type of weed control to be used.
Row spacing may vary and row spacing guidance and spacing maximums are
listed in the standard. Multiple field windbreaks in the same field will
be spaced according to the contributing erosion factors using WEQ\*. See
Diagram 2 for field windbreak examples.

At the participant's option, an additional area up to one rod in width
is eligible for enrollment adjacent to the outside row of any windbreak.
This area will provide access to maintain the windbreak and allow the
tree canopy to develop over the life of the contract.

Field windbreaks must be located, positioned, and documented to provide
wind erosion control benefits. Wind erosion potential for the CP5A site
will be documented on the CP5A eligibility sheet. Eligible fields must
be determined to have potential wind erosion (PE) that exceeds "T", the
tolerable soil loss rate. Potential wind erosion will be calculated
using EI (erosion index) found in the National Food Security Act Manual
HEL determination for wind erosion, NFSAM 180, Part 511.01.

A temporary cover crop, not to exceed 2 years, is allowed if the
following circumstances are justified: 1) seedlings are not available;
2) the normal planting period has passed or the practice will not be
completed within 12 months from the CRP-1 effective starting date; 3)
chemical residues are likely to carry-over in the soil. Longer cover
crops may be considered if: 1) steep slopes are present; 2) water or
wind erosion is present; or 3) other unique site conditions exist. For
all situations where grass cover will be established (both temporary and
long term) with the CP-5A practice the table below lists the
[only]{.underline} approved species that can be used.

[Crop]{.underline} [Rate/acre]{.underline}

Small grains (Oats, Wheat, Barley, Rye) 1 ½ to 2 ½ bu.

Perennial rye 8 lbs.

Timothy 2 to 3 lbs.

All grasses and weeds located within the row must be controlled for the
life of the contract. If within-row soil erosion control or weed
suppression is needed, use as appropriate, mulch, fabric, mechanical
and/or chemical control methods. Annual mowing of CRP acreage for
generic weed control is prohibited after a final status review has been
received from NRCS. According to 2-CRP (Rev. 4) Paragraph 442B, cost
share is allowed for one weed and/or insect control treatment within 24
months after the planting of trees/shrubs if approved by the COC and it
is a part of the conservation plan.

\* WEQ information is located in Section I of the FOTG. When more than
one windbreak is planned for the same field the spacing between
windbreaks will be determined using the WEQ critical period procedure.

**Diagram 2 Field Windbreaks**

**Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)**

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="0.6770833333333334in"
height="0.6041666666666666in"}

APPLICANT: [     ]{.mark} COUNTY: [     ]{.mark} **Resource Concerns for
Eligibility**

**Wind Erosion**

FSA TRACT NO.: [     ]{.mark} FSA FIELD NO.: [     ]{.mark}

**Practice Eligibility (Need and feasibility):**

Soil Map Unit Symbol**\*** [     ]{.mark} or Soil Map Unit Name**\***
[     ]{.mark}

**\*Use predominant soil of significant extent for planning purposes**

Soil Loss Tolerance for the Map Unit (T) tons/acre/year [ ]{.mark}

C Factor (expressed as a %) for County [  ]{.mark} I Factor for Soil Map
Unit [   ]{.mark}

Potential Erodibility (PE**\*\***) **(PE=C\*I/T)** [    ]{.mark}
tons/acre/year

**\*\*Refer to the NFSAM 180, Part 511.01**

Documented potential wind erodibility is equal to or greater than T? Yes
No**\***

When more then one windbreak is planned in the same field the distance
between windbreaks will be determined using WEQ critical period
procedure.

**Ineligible Practice:**

**\***Documented potential wind erodibility is less than T.

**Site Suitability (from site visit):**

Acreage is suitable for the practice? Yes No**\*\***

**(Use the Conservation Tree and Shrub Groups from Section I of the FOTG
to determine tree or shrub suitability for the offered acres)**

Notes:

[     ]{.mark}

**\*\***The site is unsuitable for the practice

**Extent of Windbreak (# of rows, check one, and width)**

One: Width [  ]{.mark} ft. (Max. width is ***up to*** 33 ft. including
maintenance area**\***)

Two: Width [  ]{.mark} ft. (Max. width is ***up to*** 53 ft. including
maintenance area**\***)

Three: Width [  ]{.mark} ft. (Max. width is ***up to*** 73 ft. including
maintenance area**\***)

**\*One rod width (16.5 ft) may, at the participant's option, be
enrolled along the outside row(s) of the windbreak for maintenance
access and canopy development.**