Close attention must be given to all aspects of management to assure success of the first crop of either corn, soybeans, or wheat on Conservation Reserve Program acres. Soybeans may be the best choice and wheat the most risky for planting the first year. Several potential problems must be considered that first year. The number 1 problem the crops, especially corn, likely will face is prairie voles. Voles, in fields which have vegetative cover maintained for more than a year prior to planting no-till, can severely reduce corn, soybean, or wheat plant stands.
Mature voles are reddish-brown to gray, larger than a house or field mouse, but smaller than a rat.
Voles' ears are very small and their bodies torpedo-shaped. Voles require a full canopy cover for protection from predators. Voles' worst enemy is the moldboard plow. It is the most effective tool in controlling rodents because it destroys voles' habitat. Chisel plowing is less effective.