Advantages of mowing native CRP plantings during establishment years

In order to have a successful prairie planting, it is important to manage the weeds so that they don’t outcompete the prairie seedlings. One of the best ways to manage weeds in a new CRP planting with native species (CP2, CP25, CP33, CP42) is through mowing.

New plantings should be mowed several times during the first, and possibly the second year, to ensure establishment of adequate cover. Producers don’t need to get permission from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to mow during the first two years of a new planting. The best results are usually obtained by mowing three to five times during the first year and often one to two times during the second year.

A good rule of thumb is to mow when the weeds are calf high (approximately 12 inches) and it will be most beneficial to mow to a height of six to eight inches. The prairie plantings may have to be mowed once a month from June to September during the first season, depending on when the seeding was completed and rainfall amount.

After the seeding is established, spot mowing during the primary nesting season (May 15-August 1) must be approved by the FSA County Committee in advance. Outside of the nesting season, spot mowing for weed control is allowed.

Anyone with questions about CRP establishment or maintenance is asked to contact the Allamakee NRCS office at 563-568-2246, ext. 3 or the Allamakee FSA office at 563-568-2148, ext. 2.