150 years worth of Gopher mounds

[bigtiller]

" had cows on it since the Civil War"
Is compaction not a concern?

It would be around here and I would hire a farmer with a JD 2700 mulch ripper.

 

[jyoutz]

Ah, man. You said that word too. Anyway, have you priced those machines?

Yes, for bait stations where the area can be controlled and cleaned. I still wouldn't burry poison in the ground.

As far as I know (and I’ve researched this a lot), the underground burrow builder machine and baiting system is the only recommended method for severe gopher infestation over broad areas. USDA agencies that I referenced in an earlier post can provide specific recommendations.

 

[Avenger]

Typically, I'd be hesitant to contact any government agency with help or advice on anything, especially related to my land. "We're from the government, and we're here to help."

However, in my dealings with the USDA and Forest Service specifically, I'd consider it. They seem to want to help and make sure your problem actually gets solved. They understand your issues and in helping others, know what will and will not work. The NRCS have the tools and knowledge.

But always remember, when you invite the evil into your home, its hard to get them out.

Just my .02

 

[jeff9366]

You need to start with a Moldboard Plow or a relatively rare Disk Plow, which is not a Disc Harrow. Both are designed for primary tillage, inverting hard though moist soil.

Reasons to plow: Along with making clean vegetation free soil for a seed bed you would be plowing down vegetation to rot and help fertilize as well as to keep the soil porous for drainage and water retention. The rotting vegetation attracts earth warms that help keep the soil porous and fertile. Soil with rotting vegetation lets the roots of the crop go deeper. Deeper roots will take on more nutrients for better yields as well as withstand dryer weather.

If you use a three-bottom, 16" plow your will plow a 48" swathe. Hard to estimate a what speed you can plow, but assuming three miles per hour you can plow about 1.4 acres per hour. Most plow for fertility about once per ten years. Your field is overdue. Old but serviceable three bottom plows sell for around $400 in Florida.

You will have a more fertile field after plowing than you will have using a LPGS/Land Plane. However, in its favor, an LPGS has a short learning curve. It takes some time to learn to moldboard plow well. A Disc Plow has a short learning curve, if you can find one.

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[big bubba]

sounds like a lot of work & expense for the return. if you poison now & soil prep, how do you know they won't be back on the hay field later on like the feral hogs are around here? interesting project though, & best in your efforts.

 

[jyoutz]

sounds like a lot of work & expense for the return. if you poison now & soil prep, how do you know they won't be back on the hay field later on like the feral hogs are around here? interesting project though, & best in your efforts.

In my experience, if you can greatly reduce the population, you can keep them controlled by spot treatments, but you can’t spot treat an infestation. As for a lot of work, what are the alternatives? The land is useless in its current condition.

 

[oosik]

Same with the pocket gophers and chipmunks around here. For every one I eliminate - two more waiting out in the wings to "come on down". Poison seems to be the preferred method around here. Less invasive and effective.

 

[oldnslo]

Will you be rotating crops on this ground or wanting to leave it pasture indefinitely? We I dairy farmed we rotated hay fields approx every five years. This significantly reduced gopher problems. Never had much problem with gophers in our pastures.

We did have a gopher poisoner that looked like a one row corn planter with mole tube. Key to making them work is finding out how deep the gopher runs are and then setting mole tube to very similar depth. This way gophers travel those runs and find the bait. We typically just did areas with gophers and perimeter of field if along woods.

If sandy soil will tunnels collapse?

 

[dbeeler]

sounds like a lot of work & expense for the return. if you poison now & soil prep, how do you know they won't be back on the hay field later on like the feral hogs are around here? interesting project though, & best in your efforts.

I dont know that, ither than what I've heard from others experiences in the same area who said it worked for them. And I'm fine with knocking down some fresh mounds. But right now there are 3-4 different "levels" of mounds and they're historic. Lol

Will you be rotating crops on this ground or wanting to leave it pasture indefinitely? We I dairy farmed we rotated hay fields approx every five years. This significantly reduced gopher problems. Never had much problem with gophers in our pastures.

We did have a gopher poisoner that looked like a one row corn planter with mole tube. Key to making them work is finding out how deep the gopher runs are and then setting mole tube to very similar depth. This way gophers travel those runs and find the bait. We typically just did areas with gophers and perimeter of field if along woods.

If sandy soil will tunnels collapse?

Probably pasture forever. Some of it might be turned into native grasses for deer habitat in the future.

 

[big bubba]

The 1st question would be does the OP intend to make this a money maker. Or is it just personal ambition.
he's smart to do the homework & post in the forum beforehand. My mt neighbors sometimes shake their heads when they see how much i put into my place w/o financial return.

But i won't attempt to try to exterminate, poison, or shoot feral hogs (1st & 4th pic) cause i know they'll be back. much prefer to enjoy the north pond (2nd pic) on the way back home today. the 3rd taken yr ago. i'd love to see the marauders gone as the OP intends to gophers, but have learned to accept & back drag as needed.
best regards to OP re: hay ambitions, document your progress & post, cheers