thoughts on upening CRP bottom ground

michaelr · Sep 3, 2018

Have an 8 acre field, Bremer Silt Loam, that has been in CRP for decades. Bottom ground. One water way curved through the center. What are your thoughts on preparing it for row crop of beanscorn? It is in fair shape, as it got bush hogged every few years, did get pretty thorny for probably one time for 5 years without a mow and they had to get a skid steer with a rotary front cutter to go in and chop all the honey locust saplings down. It has a good sprinkling of 4ft tall honey locust on it now, and all fescue.

I would like your thoughts on a process to get it prepared.

NY 986 · Sep 3, 2018

Soil pH needs to be looked at with corn or beans liking a range of 6.25 to 7. Some flood plains dry readily after a rain and some hold wet for a while after. If the ground stays continually wet most seasons especially during the growing season that creates a problem. Corn and beans do not like water logged soil. Artificial drainage may be possible with a method such as drain tile but the water way has to allow for the water to get away from the drainage outlet. Beans like overall soil fertility so if the soil tests low in potash or phosphates then those levels need to be brought up prior to the growing season for that crop.

used red MN · Sep 3, 2018

Generally when honey locust are only bush hogged down the stump continues to increase in size. So if you have stumps large enough that a plow would not go through you are most likely looking at hiring or renting an excavator to dip out the stumps. Another option may be to run through it with a deep shank V ripper but you best go easy and have a supply of shear bolts on hand. Then some of the stumps that go between the shanks will still be difficult to remove. There will be a lot of root and stump cleanup after this as well. Good luck!

Ellis Kinney · Sep 3, 2018

Bog Harrow. Ellis

IA Roy · Sep 3, 2018

I think I would start with roundup to kill what there is to kill. Probably mix in some brush killer. Then think about no-tilling in the spring. My brothers did that with crp before roundup ready corn was available. Did beans. I don't think they had any brush issues though!
Listen to others as I do not farm.

rustyfarmall · Sep 3, 2018

First thing is to make sure it is no longer in the crp program, and then you will need to find out if that land is considered "wetlands" that cannot legally be farmed.

504 · Sep 5, 2018

My place was in CRP for 10 years, and then no till beans and corn. No plow,just no till for over twenty years now.

thoughts on upening CRP bottom ground

michaelr

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NY 986

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used red MN

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Ellis Kinney

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IA Roy

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rustyfarmall

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504

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