Seeded down this field last spring with cover crop of oats. Well the oats were a little on the thick side and a few patches went down bad before combining. I should have done something with it last fall but for one excuse or another never got back there after baling the straw. Its the back field and you know what they say out of sight out of mind! So this spring I go back to see how the hay is coming up to see the matted down straw keeping my not so minor investment from growing. I am thinking I have to try and save the spots that are not growing somehow, but maybe its too late? I tryed the old dump rake but that was about as futile as beating a dead horse so I figure lets try setting the old allis rake low to the ground and run it over the matted down spots in tedder mode to at least pick the straw up and toss it around some. Well it kinda worked but now I am wondering if leaving the loose straw on the field is the right thing to do or should I try to pick it up somehow? The pic with rake and tractor in picture is about the worst spot. I really do not want to drive over my fresh seeding any more than I have to. Kinda thinking I am doing more damage than good?? I would appreciate opinions as I have several thousand dollars invested in this field. It is alfalfa, timothy, brome, treefoil mix. thanks for any and all advice.