Survey of management practices used for reserve acreage and grassed waterways

ABSTRACT:

During 1991 a mail survey of Illinois farmers was conducted to determine cover crop usage and pest control practices on government subsidized program plantings. Ninety four percent of the respondents reported having Acreage Reduction Program (ARP)plantings, 21 % having Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)plantings, and 29% having grass waterways or filter strips. Results of the survey indicate that oats (Avena sativa), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), and clover (Trifolium spp.)were the most widely used crops for ARP plantings while perennial grasses, alfalfa, and clover combinations were widely used for CRP plantings. Herbicides were used by only 9% of the farmers for control of weeds on ARP. In the opinion of the farmers surveyed, wildlife populations have increased for several animals. While weeds in program plantings were noted by a large number of farmerr, injury by insects in crops adjacent to ARP and CRP was reported by fewer than 20% of the farmers.