Dead Oats covering fall Alfalfa. Can I burn it?

[svenlylethor]

I seeded fall Alfalfa directly on a field where I harvested Oats. I irrigated the field and some of the Oats grew with it. Some of the Oats grew a good 10 inches and died from winter so now. Now I've got a few places where it's caked on my field and it's preventing the Alfalfa from growing.

I was thinking about running a harrow over it on a low setting to break it up but now that it's burning season, do you think it would kill the Alfalfa if I just torched the bad spots?

 

[Egon]

Use the harrow.

 

[olPete]

Yep I'd harrow it too
If it's real heavy, you could maybe rake it to the corners and burn/ take away for compost. Fire will just scorch the seedlings.
At least oat straw doesn't become too acidic as it decomposes, like other cereals. Wheat and barley straws hurt seedlings if left too heavy and then rain/irrigation follows.

 

[powerscol]

They would burn it off around here. Should not hurt the Alfalfa. Check with you local agg office too