Tillage how-to?

LorenC

Member
Is there a guide somewhere that someone recommends on tillage processes? I want to make the pasture grow some real grass and I'm afraid the reason it won't is the clay is so compacted now it can't. I have a 300U and it's 2 bottom, and 6' and 8' discs, along with a real, real heavy drag that works almost as a blade I need to lighten up. This is 2.5 acres.
Where do I start with the equipment?
 
Plow, then disk,then seed. Here in Iowa we plow (if we do) in the fall. A good winter freeze will make it much more mellow to disk. Disk and seed in the spring. If it doesn't freeze where you are, then plow and give it a few months of sitting and rain to help mellow. If it's clay do NOT work it when it's wet. You'll wind up making slabs of near brick hard stuff you can't do anything with.
AaronSEIA
 
Rough primary tillage. This busts up deep, turns trash under or chops it smaller, buries weed seeds. 7-12 inches deep. Plow, very heavy disk, chisel, etc.

Leveling secondary tillage. This levels up the lumps, 3-5 inches deep. Kills off sprouting weeds as well. Typical light disk, field cultivator, etc. if you are in a hurry or real rough ground might take a couple passes.

Smoothing finishing pass(es). A harrow or drag or bed spring. Goes 1-2 inches deep. Smooths off the ground real level and kills sprouting weeds - not established green weeds, but just sprouting ones.

Aaron has a lot of good info too.

Paul
 
If its heavy clay I plant clover that will loosen the ground I've disc a piece of ground planted clover then later a different crop. Plowing would be good but it can leave the ground rough if it mellows out that is good but clay usually doesn't. Fall plowing and letting the frost works on it will mellow the ground out.
 
Here's a fact: Tillage can, and will, create more compaction that it relieves. If your pasture won't grow grass, start with a soil test. Find out about fertility levels, pH, CEC, etc. How is the drainage? How much livestock do you have out there?

Mother nature does not plow. Instead, worms, roots, etc. do that work. You need to figure out why they are not at this point, and correct it. A plow won't solve many issues- instead, they created them. Witness the dustbowl, etc.
 
Here's a fact: Tillage can, and will, create more compaction that it relieves. If your pasture won't grow grass, start with a soil test. Find out about fertility levels, pH, CEC, etc. How is the drainage? How much livestock do you have out there?

Mother nature does not plow. Instead, worms, roots, etc. do that work. You need to figure out why they are not at this point, and correct it. A plow won't solve many issues- instead, they created them. Witness the dustbowl, etc.
 
I would agree, doubt compaction is issue in pasture, get chemicals checked.

I have chisel plowed to break up hard pan, but it would be real rough to get a pasture to settle back down enough for it to be smooth.
 
X3. Find out why there is no growth first. If the ground is hard clay your plow might not go on the ground. If the plow does go in and you can pull it you will be pretty much guaranteed a rough pasture or hay field for the rest of your life unless you can smooth out plowing better than most.
 
(quoted from post at 15:14:07 09/06/16) X3. Find out why there is no growth first. If the ground is hard clay your plow might not go on the ground. If the plow does go in and you can pull it you will be pretty much guaranteed a rough pasture or hay field for the rest of your life unless you can smooth out plowing better than most.

Sort of in a spot like that now. Former farmer disked the pasture with a heavy disk and left it rough now it's so rough it's hard on equipment and ... heh operators! Now that the hay is almost played out and full of weeds I'm plowing and intend to disc a few times to get it powdery and smooth then plant this year before winter something like barley or rye then in the spring frost seed clover and later some other grass mixes.. whatever goes together. haven't looked at types yet.
 
If you have heavy clay. We have never done much good plowing it. We would spray with Round up .then when it has died. Disk probably 3 times at least. Pull a pipe or your drag. Over it trying to level and smooth it. then rent a fertilize buggy . With 300 potash 100 phosphate 200 pellet lime 100 nitrogen per acre. Also put your seed in the blender. Set buggy for 1/2 rate. Go over it twice. We just pull a roller to incorporate the seed. Maybe you could drag it with something light.
 
How can I tell if it's what you're calling heavy clay? I'm in the south end of the Willamette Valley in western Oregon.
I agree with you guys that I need to do a soil test first probably.
 
Been there and done what your wanting to due. I'm in Tx and dealing with heavy black gumbo clay on 4 acres. We grow Bermuda grass here and it does excellent in clay "once" you get it established. I only have and can affford equipment similar to yours. I got the same advise your getting here and had nothing to lose by ignoring it.

I soil tested and spent money on grass seed and fertilizer for years and never got a good stand.

I plowed, it was ugly, disced and dragged multiple times till I got it knocked down and smooth. Broad casted seed with fertilizer and lightly disced it in. I don't have a roller. It worked perfect. I know have an excellent stand going.
 

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