Archived RUSLE2 Information

November 21, 2005 – This version of the RUSLE2 program has been released. The old version must be uninstalled and not deleted before the new version can be installed. If you use delete to remove the old RUSLE2 program you will lose all your databases supporting within the RUSLE2 program. See instruction listed below in RUSLE2 Guidance Documents on proper installation of new RUSLE2 program. This new version of RUSLE2 is the official RUSLE2 program that is to be used. It has several upgrades including change in erodibility factors due to new science. You can down load the new version of RUSLE2 from the program file folder at: ftp://fargo.nserl.purdue.edu/pub/RUSLE2/RUSLE2_Program_File

You will also find a new Base database of RUSLE2 posted on the national RUSLE2 website. This update contains several new crops and tillage tools that have been developed. New RUSLE2 operations have been added that include combination tools under seedbed finishers and seedbed conditioners. Important updates that effect the management operations used for the Phoenix harrow and Phillips harrow are also listed in this new database. The correct tool to be used for the Phoenix and Phillips harrows on fragile residue such as soybeans is called "Harrow, rotary light, fluff fragile". The operation for Phoenix or Phillips harrow for non-fragile residue such as corn is the “Harrow rotary”. See Tillage Equipment Identification Guide listed below. To download the new database updates go to the RUSLE2 website subfolder called “Latest Base Database Updates” within the Base Database folder: NRCS_Moses_updates_030104to102505.gdb. By doing a simple import of the entire contents of this update file, the import will add all new and recently edited or corrected records.

The Crop Management Zone 4 and 16 have also been updated and need to be imported into the new RUSLE2 program. You can down load these crop management zones by going to the RUSLE2 website and click in Crop_Management_Templates\CMZ4 and CMZ16 and save it to your computer then do an import of these files into the RUSLE2 program management folder.

Counties Soils Databases – County soils data has been updated in 42 counties in Iowa. You can check to see which counties have been updated by going to the RUSLE2 website and click the folder called soils data and Iowa: ftp://fargo.nserl.purdue.edu/pub/RUSLE2/Soils_Data/Iowa. You can see which counties have been modified by looking in the last column at the modification date. If the soils file of the county you are working with has been modified since you downloaded it into RUSLE2 you will need to save the county soil data file and save it to your computer then do an import of the file into the RUSLE2 program soils folder. 

Yields used for RUSLE2 – When calculating RUSLE2 (Soil Conditioning Index and Soil Tillage Intensity Rating), determine the Dominant Critical Soil and use the yield associated within the eFOTG. Do not add the ten percent for technology improvements. Technical Note 29 provides guidance as to how to determine the Dominant Critical Soil. The eFOTG yields have been recently updated in all counties and are the appropriate yields to use in calculating RUSLE2.

Documents on this page may require Adobe Acrobat.

How to install RUSLE2 Version 1.25.5.0 (371 KB)

April 14, 2005 – In April 2005 the Base database of RUSLE2 was updated and posted on the national RUSLE2 website. This update contains several new tillage tools that have been developed. New RUSLE2 operations including the Phoenix harrow, Phillips harrow and coulter caddy and more are now available in this new database. The correct tool to be used for the Phoenix and Phillips harrows is called "Harrow, rotary lite, fluff residue". We are no longer to be using the “Heavy harrow heavy residue” tool to represent these harrow operations.   

On the RUSLE2 website a subfolder called “Latest Base Database Updates” within the Base Database folder has been created. The file name is: NRCS_Moses_updates_030104to040805.gdb. By doing a simple import of the entire contents of this update file, the import will add all new and recently edited or corrected records in the operations, vegetation, residue, EI distribution, and support practices folder of the database and leave all the local soils, climate, managements, profiles, worksheets and plans as is. Once the import is complete, all existing RUSLE2 managements, as well as profiles and worksheet runs, will utilize the new data as appropriate with the internal links to the existing record names in the database.

February 28, 2005 – Several training documents have been placed on the Iowa NRCS RUSLE2 homepage to assist on basic program operations and guidance on completing the RUSLE2 runs.

February 24, 2005 – In January 2005 the Base database of RUSLE2 was updated and posted on the national RUSLE2 website. This update contains important information that is needed for several database files in the RUSLE2 program. On the RUSLE2 website a subfolder called “Latest Base Database Updates” within the Base Database folder has been created. 

The file name is: NRCS_Moses_updates_030104to012405.gdb. By doing a simple import of the entire contents of this update file, the import will add all new and recently edited or corrected records in the operations, vegetation, residue, EI distribution, and support practices folder of the database and leave all the local soils, climate, managements, profiles, worksheets and plans as is. Once the import is complete, all existing RUSLE2 managements, as well as profiles and worksheet runs, will utilize the new data as appropriate with the internal links to the existing record names in the database.   

This base database update is to be used for all RUSLE2 calculation in Iowa. 

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