The Nature Trust of British Columbia
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RecommendationsFor optimum forage production on the river-bottom hayfields at the Cherry Creek Wildlife Area all hayfields described above, except H4 should be renovated. H5 could be deferred for a couple of years, but the others require prompt action if improved forage production is the objective. H2a and H3 should be monitored in 2002 to see if additional emergence of forage seeds leads to establishment of a better stand. There is some risk of a seeding failure in the current drought situation. Currently, the hayfields at the Cherry Creek Wildlife Area are not producing to their potential. An irrigation system is essential to reach this potential. However, this may exceed available resources at this time. Seeding rates will vary according to whether the hayfields are to be managed for irrigated or dryland production. Likewise, fertilizer rates will vary depending on production objectives. The expectations for dryland production are inferior to those of irrigated production. A minimum of four passes (one plough, two of disk or blade, one seeder/fertilizer and one herbicide) are required to renovate these hayfields. Custom machinery rates vary with the size and type of equipment and implements used. Seed, fertilizer, herbicide and fuel prices for next spring are unknown at this time. Cost estimates for re-establishing an irrigation system are beyond the scope of this report. Example recommendations for each hayfield are presented in Table 2. Alfalfa, orchardgrass, timothy and pubescent wheatgrass are domestic forage species which are adapted to the soil conditions found here. Ungulate diet studies conducted by the East Kootenay Trench Agriculture/Wildlife Committee (EKTAW) (Ross 1997) indicate alfalfa and orchardgrass, in particular, are important components of elk and cattle diets throughout the year, and deer diets in spring. Weed control is important. Some annuals will be found in the establishment year in most seedings, but a well-established forage crop will out-compete them. Renovating the hayfields at the Cherry Creek Wildlife Area for optimum forage production requires: 1) Irrigation, particularly on dry years. 2) Hayfields H1 and H2b should be renovated immediately. 3) H2a and H3 should be monitored in 2002. 4) H5 should be renovated in 2002 if possible, but 2003 is also acceptable. 5) All fields should be fertilized as per soil test recommendations (Appendix 3). 6) Planting depth must not exceed 1 cm. 7) No cover crop. 8) Weed control.
- disking at $60-85/hour (2 passes) - $6 - $8/a ($14.80- $19.75/ha) assume 65 ha X 2 = $1924 to $2568 - seed and fertilizer applied together – at $4 -$6/a ($9.90 - $$14.80/ha) – assume 65 ha = $644 to $962 - herbicide – at 1.75 l/ha @ $22.50 +$39.38/ha – application rate $3.50 - $5.50/a ($8.65 - $13.60/ha) assume 74 ha = $640 to $1006 Estimated total for all field operations ranges from $4,170 to $5,820. Estimated material costs at the time of writing is approximately $13,834. The estimated costs for renovating these hayfields without irrigation is $13,834 for material and between $4170 and $5820 for application costs (Table 2). The total project expenditure will range between $18,004 and $19,654 as of November, 2001.
2000. Custom rates survey. Statistics and Data Development Unit. Edmonton, Alta., 145 p. BC Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. 1996. Field crop guide to weed, disease, insect, bird and rodent control for commercial growers. BC Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Victoria, BC. 312 p. BC Ministry of Forests. 1998. 1:20,000 Forest cover maps. 82G 062, 072. Inventory Branch, Victoria, BC. BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. 2001. Water license information system. Water Management Branch, Victoria, BC. Bohn, H. L., B.L. McNeal and G.A. O’Connor. 1979. Soil Chemistry. John Wiley and Sons Inc. Toronto, Ont., 329 pp. Braumdahl, T. F. and M. P. Curran. 1992. A field guide for site identification and interpretation for the Nelson Forest Region. BC Ministry of Forests, Nelson, BC, 311 p. Canada Land Inventory. 1976. 1:250,000 wildlife capability map. Wildlife Section of the Environment and Land Use Committee Secretariat. Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle, Wa., 730 p. Holland, S.S. 1976. Landforms of British Columbia, a physiographic outline. Bulletin 48. British Columbia Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources. Victoria, BC. 138 p. Jamieson, R. and P. Ohanjanian. 1990. The Bummer’s Flats-Cherry Creek Wildlife Property Management Plan. unpublished mimeo, Wildlife Branch, BC Ministry of Environment, Cranbrook, BC, 72 p. Lacelle, L.E.H. 1990. Biophysical resources of the East Kootenay area: Soils. Wildlife Technical Monograph TM-1. Report No. 20 BC Soil Survey. BC Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC, 359 p.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Achillea millefolium,ACMI, 2 Western yarrow Agrostis alba,AGAL, 1 Redtop Agropyron cristatum,AGCR, 1 Crested wheatgrass Agropyron elongatum,AGEL, 1 Tall wheatgrass Agropyron repens,AGRE, 1 Quackgrass Agropyron spicatum,AGSP, 1 Bluebunch wheatgrass Agropyron subsecundum,AGSU, 1 Bearded wheatgrass Agropyron trichophorum,AGTI, 1 Pubescent wheatgrass Agropyron trachycaulum,AGTR, 1 Slender wheatgrass Alnus tenuifolia,ALTE, 3 Mountain alder Alopecurus pratensis,ALPR, 1 Meadow foxtail Amelanchier alnifolia,AMAL, 3 Saskatoon Arctium minor,ARMI, 2 Common burdock Aster ericoides,ASER, 2 Tufted white prairie aster Aster foliaceous,ASFO, 2 Leafy aster Betula glandulosa, BEGL, 3 Bog-birch Brassica spp.,BRSP, 2 Mustards Bromus inermis,BRIN, 1 Smooth bromegrass Bromus tectorum,BRTE, 1 Cheatgrass Bryophytes,BRYO, 4 Mosses and Lichens Calamagrostis canadensis,CACA, 1 Bluejoint Calamagrostis rubescens,CARU, 1 Pinegrass Carex rostrata,CARO, 1 Beaked sedge Carex spp.,CARX, 1 Sedge species Centaurea maculosa,CEMA, 2 Spotted knapweed Chenopodium album,CHAL, 2 Lamb’s quarters Cirsium arvense,CIAR, 2 Canada thistle
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