Ok I'm having to learn this stuff as I go so sorry for the questions. I have a hay field that doesn't produce near as much as the other fields but it is kind of mound shaped. The middle of the field is the highest point. It would seem that this field would have harder time retaining moisture since it wants to run off in every direction from the middle. The ground also seems hard as a rock. I wondered if this field would benefit from ripping? I grew up farming the old ways and never ripping anything so I am trying to learn some of this stuff. I can see how it benefits many fields I just don't know if it would help in my case. I was thinking in the fall maybe ripping it and reseeding. Thank you for your help and steering me in the right direction.
- Thread starter Jason S.
- Start date
fixerupper
Well-known Member
If you rip it deep and seed it next spring you will have a rough field for as long as the seeding lasts. I found that out with some land I have in CRP filter strips. It was ripped the fall before I seeded it 18 years ago and it's still rough.
Second, the natural hardness of the soil depends on the clay content and the organic content. More clay equals harder soil. More organic matter matter means softer soil. Sometimes hills are harder because the organic topsoil has washed away leaving bare clay. If it's a sandy hill it will be softer. Jim
Second, the natural hardness of the soil depends on the clay content and the organic content. More clay equals harder soil. More organic matter matter means softer soil. Sometimes hills are harder because the organic topsoil has washed away leaving bare clay. If it's a sandy hill it will be softer. Jim
notjustair
Well-known Member
What does a soil test on it look like? People seem to overlook
their brome or grass patches when they fertilize. I do them
every year. Should it have been terraced? Rule out everything
but water before you go making speed bumps.
their brome or grass patches when they fertilize. I do them
every year. Should it have been terraced? Rule out everything
but water before you go making speed bumps.
I would bet that the mound has a different soil type than your other fields. That soil type may need treated differently for better yields. Like maybe more lime, maybe more Potash.
I would soil test it first. See if it is deficient in some nutrients.
Also go to the Soil conservation office. They will have a soil map of your farm. See how the soil on the mound compares to the rest of your hay ground.
You may just have to live with the fact that some soil just is not as fertile as others and will not yield as much.
As for it needing deep ripped. Take a soil probe and see if you have compaction. A soil probe is just a 3/8 or 1/2 rod with a tee handle on top of a four foot section. You shove it into the ground. it will push harder where there is compaction. Example: If it pushes easy for the first 10 inches and then hard for the next 3 inches and then easy again then you have a hardpan just below the 10 inch layer. So you would want to deep rip it at least 13 inches deep.
You need to figure out your field's problem before doing anything. Ripping a filed that does not need it can cause problems and wastes fuel/time/machinery.
I would soil test it first. See if it is deficient in some nutrients.
Also go to the Soil conservation office. They will have a soil map of your farm. See how the soil on the mound compares to the rest of your hay ground.
You may just have to live with the fact that some soil just is not as fertile as others and will not yield as much.
As for it needing deep ripped. Take a soil probe and see if you have compaction. A soil probe is just a 3/8 or 1/2 rod with a tee handle on top of a four foot section. You shove it into the ground. it will push harder where there is compaction. Example: If it pushes easy for the first 10 inches and then hard for the next 3 inches and then easy again then you have a hardpan just below the 10 inch layer. So you would want to deep rip it at least 13 inches deep.
You need to figure out your field's problem before doing anything. Ripping a filed that does not need it can cause problems and wastes fuel/time/machinery.
Allan in NE
Well-known Member
Hillsides are for pasture because they eroide so bad. Ripping will just make is worse.
Allan
Allan
I would suspect it is a chemical issue like other have said. It is a lot of work settling down an area that has been ripped, I would want to run over it with a soil finisher if ripped. The hill will then be open to erosion
You might want to mow it down and drill in oil radishes this fall, they will break up the hard pan and bring the nitrogen up to the surface.
You might want to mow it down and drill in oil radishes this fall, they will break up the hard pan and bring the nitrogen up to the surface.
Not a real farmer, but on a small scale,
I have clay here, and raised trails and mounds for my grandsons
'racetracks'
Hardpacked and dry from gravity drainage.
(don't drive near their bases after a rain LOL)
I can't work them obviously and the only thing that grows well is clover.
After landscape raking and seeding with clover, after a few years from the clovers nitrogen give back, normal stuff will grow well.
I have clay here, and raised trails and mounds for my grandsons
'racetracks'
Hardpacked and dry from gravity drainage.
(don't drive near their bases after a rain LOL)
I can't work them obviously and the only thing that grows well is clover.
After landscape raking and seeding with clover, after a few years from the clovers nitrogen give back, normal stuff will grow well.
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