What implements to use.

[Kosmo]

Hi,

I have no Ag experience but would like to prepare an old field/pasture for a 3-5 acre wildlife food plot. The area has obviously been worked befor but not since I bought the property 5 years ago. Consists now of some kind of tall grasses, goldenrod, Some pigweed, some patches of wild rasberries and rose. I have a 1995 NH 1715 4wd tractor w/ ag tires and a 5 foot brush cutter. The surrounding forrested land is hilly and rocky but the pasture itself is gently sloped. The soil here in NE PA is rocky but since this area does appear to have been worked in the past, is pretty free of large rocks. Could someone fill me in on what implements I might need and how to prepare this area for a food plot. I don't have unlimited funds so will try to get by with only the necessities. I am hoping for a July planting for fall and winter food sources. Thanks for any and all help.

 

[Agrantina]

With limited funds. I would go with a small disc. You can get one used for $500. I would buzz cut the 3-5 acres and then spray with glyphosate(roundup).. wait 2 weeks and start discing. I have used a 1710 before and it will work a small disc just have to be carefull and not buy to big/heavy one. You can always add weight if you need to. That would be the cheapest thing I see for you.. If you are planting oats or other ceral grain then you really dont have to turn the soil into dust just break it up some after you kill all the green off with the spraying...

AndyG

 

[terry.dinerman]

If you are planting something along the lines of oats, crowder peas or soybeans, use whatever ground-breaking implement you can borrow....

A disc, chain harrow, middle buster with a plow or ripper, a box blade with rippers....anything that will open the ground.

Surf Craigslist long enough and a good deal on something will turn up...but borrowing is better yet....I get free $$$ access to a nice piece of property by keeping up the food plots...when there is enough rain to make it worthwhile, that is....

You could probably make a deal with a neighbor....favors beget more of the same....

Save the money for glyphosate and seed.

After you broadcast your seed, the tractor tires can do for a cultipacker on a small plot...

I hope you get a bit more water up there than we have been getting here in Texas....it's been two years since I could plant any feed plots....it's so dry around my place this year, the bullfrogs from our pond have been knocking on the back door and asking for a glass of water ....

Terry

 

[johnrex62]

I feel your pain, Terry. Are any of those bullfrogs big enough to invite in for dinner? :licking:

 

[Kosmo]

Thanks folks for the input. Actually we've had more than enough rain this spring for most of us without fins. Waitin' for it to dry out to get busy! Thanks again

 

[terry.dinerman]

I feel your pain, Terry. Are any of those bullfrogs big enough to invite in for dinner? :licking:

PAIN is right, Bruddah ... cattle tanks that you could have called "Year Round" last year are looking pretty sparce .... and my little pond, which has never run dry only has a few feet left in it ....

Of course, we have not gone up in flames yet, so I can still count us as lucky ....

The Old Philosopher used to say; "It don't rain EVERY day....or SHINE neither...."

Terry

 

[DeeDubya]

Hi,

I have no Ag experience but would like to prepare an old field/pasture for a 3-5 acre wildlife food plot. The area has obviously been worked befor but not since I bought the property 5 years ago. Consists now of some kind of tall grasses, goldenrod, Some pigweed, some patches of wild rasberries and rose. I have a 1995 NH 1715 4wd tractor w/ ag tires and a 5 foot brush cutter. The surrounding forrested land is hilly and rocky but the pasture itself is gently sloped. The soil here in NE PA is rocky but since this area does appear to have been worked in the past, is pretty free of large rocks. Could someone fill me in on what implements I might need and how to prepare this area for a food plot. I don't have unlimited funds so will try to get by with only the necessities. I am hoping for a July planting for fall and winter food sources. Thanks for any and all help.

If you've got that much tall grass I would cut it as short as you can with the brush cutter and then disc it as this will further cut up some of the grass. A drill would be best to plant in the rocky soil but you can spread the seed and disc again. A harrow would not work as it would stack up with loose grass.

 

[jonyyuma]

Until we bought more equipment, we bush-hogged and then disked. Waited, then sowed it by hand, and disked the seed in.It worked if it rained soon after. jy.