# CRP Case Study

# Conservation Effects for Decision Making

## Level One Analysis

**CONSERVATION TREATMENT:RESOURCE PROBLEMS:**

CRP  Reduced erosion and increased soil tilth due to     Sheet and rill erosion, declining soil tilth potential 

perennial cover establishment of species adapted to surface water quality problems from nutrients and

site.  Water quality will improve when nutrients and sediments.  Plant suitability to site.  Pest (weed)

sediments are retained on the field.  Weed sources willinvasion.  Lack of wildlife food and cover.

be reduced.  Wildlife food, cover and water needs will

be met.

**POSITIVE +NEGATIVE -**

**+Reduce soil erosion to meet T-Initial increase in labor to prepare and**

**+Reduce annual terrace repair costsinstall system**

**+Reduce or eliminate weed sources by-Potential for increased perennial weedy**

**seeding perennial grasses to competespecies**

**with weeds-Loss of crop production**

**+Sustained soil tilth-Maintenance costs**

**+Improve surface water quality by-Ten year contract**

**reducing surface water quality by**

**reducing surface loss of soil attached**

**pesticides and sediments**

**+Perennial grasses planted will be**

**suitable to site**

**+Eliminate weed sources**

**+Increase food, cover, and water**

**availability for targeted wildlife species**

**+Reduced labor after establishment**

**+Potential cost share to apply system**

**+Annual payments to maintain grass**

**stand for 10 years**

Conservation Effects for Decision Making

## Level Two Analysis

**CONSERVATION TREATMENT:RESOURCE PROBLEMS:**

CRP  Reduced erosion and increased soil tilth due to     Sheet and rill erosion, declining soil tilth potential 

perennial cover establishment of species adapted to surface water quality problems from nutrients and

site.  Water quality will improve when nutrients and sediments.  Plant suitability to site.  Pest (weed)

sediments are retained on the field.  Weed sources willinvasion.  Lack of wildlife food and cover.

be reduced.  Wildlife food, cover and water needs will

be met.

**POSITIVE +NEGATIVE -**

**+Reduce soil erosion to meet T-Initial increase in labor to prepare and**

***From 7 to 3 Tons/Acre = 4 Ton/Acre*               install system**

***8,000 Tons over 2,000 Acres**200 Hours * $8/Hour = $1,600 or $160/Year***

**+Reduce annual terrace repair costs-Potential for increased perennial weedy**

***$.03/Foot/Year Maintenance Cost*                   species**

***12,000 Feet /2,000 Acres = $360/Year***

**-Loss of crop production**

**+Reduce or eliminate weed sources by *50 Bushels/every other year, @ $3.25/Bu,***

**seeding perennial grasses to compete *2,000 Acres, minus production cost $1.25/Bu***

**with weeds              *= $100,000***

**+Sustained soil tilth-Maintenance costs**

***$.25/Acre * 2,000 Acres = $500/Year***

**+Improve surface water quality by**

**reducing surface water quality by                   - Ten year contract**

**reducing surface loss of soil attached**

**pesticides and sediments**

**+Perennial grasses planted will be**

**suitable to site**

**+Eliminate weed sources**

**+Increase food, cover, and water**

**availability for targeted wildlife species**

**+Reduced labor after establishment**

***Save 250 Hours/Year @ $8/Hr = $2,000/Yr***

**+Potential cost share to apply system**

***50% of $12,000 = $6,000, or $600/Year***

**+Annual payments to maintain grass**

**stand for 10 years**

***$55/Acre CRP pmt, 2,000 Acres = $110,000/Year***

### Total Dollar Benefits = $112,960             Total Dollar Costs = $100,660

####                                        Net Benefit = +$12,300