To plow or not to plow

[Edhill]

I have 3 to 4 acres of pasture that I am going to plow up and plant
some corn or orchardgrass (undecided). I am wondering what kind of plowing method I should look into. A chisel plow, or maybe a 2 bottom moldboard flip plow,or..... Have talked to many people and each one says something different. I already have a 20 disk Harrow which I can use. Tractor is a M6800 Kubota 4X4.
What do you guys use?

Any help would be appreciated

EDDIE

 

[Birdhunter1]

I usually use a moldboard plow and a disk but you could also use a chisel plow if you wanted. I have very hilly ground and I plow it cross ways with a 2 bottom plow, on flat stuff I may either use a 3 bottom or chisel plow as it does have a wider cut, but on the hillsides it's too hard for me to control tractor with my chisel or 3 bottom so I take the back plow off so it's a 2 bottom. If the ground hasn't been worked I a while I would use a moldboard plow over a chisel plow so that everything from underneath is turned over real well. After I plow it I would also let the sun dry it for a while and let it get rained on good to soften it up. Then take your disk to it and work it real good. After it is worked up good drag it with a harrow of some sorts or even drag one behind your disc. When ready to seed I usually use a broadcast spreader on my 4 wheeler and then go back afterwards and drag a piece of chainlink fencing over the top of the ground to cover the seed 1/2"-1/4" into the dirt.

 

[Egon]

If you have a disc why not load it up and see if it can do the job. A lot depends on the sod and soil conditions.

If the disc doesn't work think I'd go go for a plough as you already have a disc to complement it.

Egon

 

[Birdhunter1]

If the ground has not been tilled in a while then it is probably real tough. Here in Southern IL the dirt is clay, I would guess in Tennessee it's either rocky soil or clay but I don't know for sure. All a disk usually does for me in uncut ground is make it roougher, unless I spend a lot of time on it. The method I stated above works best for me in almost all of my situations which is tough clay.

 

[dixiedrifter]

All I can say is you should have plowed it back towards the end of July.

Your never gonna get those roots chopped up enough to make a decent seed bed before winter sets in.

You might could do corn in the spring though.

 

[JerryG]

Like Egon said, it depends allot on the soil conditions. I normally use a moldboard and a field cultivator. I have to many rocks to use a disk effectively.

 

[kensfarm]

If you're just going to plant orchard grass.. like Egon said.. try seeing if the 3pt disk will work the soil good enough.. if you're going to plant corn and the field hasn't been used for crops.. I'd use the moldboard plow... then disk it.

Are you talking about planting corn this season?

 

[cowboydoc]

We always chisel plow. You get much deeper penetration and this will release any compaction and let your grass get better root growth. I'm not sure why the one guy said not to plow now. This is the time we always will plow up old fields. Then we'll put lime or whatever else they need to be ready for spring. In spring disc, harrow, and plant and you will have a nice field. If you are planting grass use plenty of it on new seeding. The more you have the better your seeding is going to be.

 

[sweettractors]

PLow and Disc would be my choice--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *25 Used Sickle Bar Mowers, Belt Drive and Pitman*

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

All I can say is you should have plowed it back towards the end of July.

Ditto. You might get some winter rye in for a cover crop, but that's about it. I like rollover plowsl you can plow both ways. I never had much luck harrowing up sod, but you can try it.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Doc, do they get snow in Tenn.? Plowing might be different in non snow areas as we do plow in the fall also and let the frost break up the clumps during winter. After the snow melts and the ground dries we disc it and plant. However, if the weather just cools down and he doesn't get any snow he might have an erosion problem if there is no ground cover.

 

[cowboydoc]

Yes you sure may be right Robert. It wouldn't be the first time I've made the assumption that things are the same other places as they are where I'm from.

 

[Edhill]

Robert, Doc,

Most winters here around Chattanooga are just cold and wet. Normally we don't see much snow if any. What we do get the mountains around us get most of it. Temps average between 20 and 60 depending on the day and the month. It starts getting cooler around October as well as the first frost. For what I am going to end up doing I think I will probably look into a Moldboard or rollover plow.
Thanks to all for the help.

ED

 

[DK45C_Dave]

Hi Edhill,
Though it would not give you much seat time, the easiest plan would be to spray with Roundup this fall, have a local farmer no-till plant Roundup Ready corn in the spring, then plow next fall after harvest. You will spray Roundup once or twice durung the summer. The current sod will decay over the year, you will get a corn crop, and tillage will be easy next fall.
Good luck,
David