Using the Buffer Tool to Create CNMP Setback Zones

Last Modified: 07/28/2008

For best results, set ArcGIS to Advanced within the Toolkit Preferences

1. Digitize your fields according to the FSA map, if it is available.
2. Create a Grazing Layer. Click on the Toolkit Star button. Under Build Your Own, select Polygon. For Layer Name, enter Grazing. For File Name, scroll over polygon.shp and enter grazing.shp. The new layer will be saved in the Resource Maps folder of the Customer Folder. When the Editor toolbar appears, click on the Editor button, then click Stop Editing.
3. Create an Attribute Table for your new Grazing Layer. Right-click on the Grazing Layer in the Table of Contents (TOC). Click Open Attribute Table. Click on the Options button, then click Add Field. For name, enter Pad_num. For type, select text. For length, scroll over 50 and enter 20. Click OK.
4. Add another field. Click on the Options button, then click Add Field. For name, enter Forag_typ. For type, select text. For length, scroll over 50 and enter 20. Click OK. Close the Attribute table.
5. Set Selectable Layers. Click on the Selection menu, then click Set Selectable Layers. Click the Clear All button. Click on the Consplan layer. Close the Selection menu.
6. Select and copy features into the Grazing layer. Click on the Select tool and select only the landunits you will put in your grazing system. With the features selected, right-click and select Copy.
7. Paste features into the Grazing layer. Click on the Toolkit Pencil icon and start editing the Grazing Layer. Click on the Paste icon at the top of your view (or click on the Edit menu at the tope of your view, then click Paste). Your selected features should now be pasted into your Grazing Layer.
8. Create Grazing Paddocks. Use the Select and Split tools on the Editor toolbar to split out your individual grazing paddocks. Save your edits, but don't stop editing yet.
9. Attribute the paddocks. Click on the Attributes button (the button on the far right of the Polygon Editor toolbar). Click on the Select button and select a paddock. Type the Paddock number (ex. P1, P2, P3) and the Forage type (ex. orchardgrass) in the attribute table. Click on the next grazing paddock and continue entering attribute information.'
10. When you are finished attributing your features, click on the Editor button and click Stop Editing. Click on Yes to save your edits.

Contacts

Patty Engler
Maryland Toolkit Coordinator
Email: patricia.engler@md.usda.gov
Phone: 410-489-7987

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