Planting 40ac.

[foreman Etexas]

A couple things to ask yourself ... how long has it been since the ground has been renovated? How rough is this 40 acres?

It may be as simple as Mark stated, spray and no till ... if the ground needs work then think about subsoiling and discing and then seeding ... with weed control.

Father-in-laws cant recall if it ever has been renovated,its kinda sandy loam,I did drag the pasture cple months ago its not rough at all can run 5/6mph no problem. The place does have some good hills to pull not flat at all. I have to have a prepared seed bed(NRCS paper work states).The drought has took its toll,plus the last renter over grazed it,so not really any grass ,just in places. If it was closer my neighbor were I live has a 21ft tandem but said it will be to wide to haul it,the 30+miles there and driving it on these small rodes with barely a shoulder wouldnt go so well,so thats were im at,using the smaller equipment. I have another neighbor that I helped get his 13ac.done,is bringing his tractor to help,so I have another 7'disc he can pull. So far we are going to have 3 tractors,6ft disc, 7ft disc and 6ft tiller(if needed). Just trying to get some ideas,on what would be the most plained out way to run this project. Also may have another friend with 4x4 workmaster55 with 6ft tiller,if his schuele allows him.

 

[blueriver]

Father-in-laws cant recall if it ever has been renovated,its kinda sandy loam,I did drag the pasture cple months ago its not rough at all can run 5/6mph no problem. The place does have some good hills to pull not flat at all. I have to have a prepared seed bed(NRCS paper work states).The drought has took its toll,plus the last renter over grazed it,so not really any grass ,just in places. If it was closer my neighbor were I live has a 21ft tandem but said it will be to wide to haul it,the 30+miles there and driving it on these small rodes with barely a shoulder wouldnt go so well,so thats were im at,using the smaller equipment. I have another neighbor that I helped get his 13ac.done,is bringing his tractor to help,so I have another 7'disc he can pull. So far we are going to have 3 tractors,6ft disc, 7ft disc and 6ft tiller(if needed). Just trying to get some ideas,on what would be the most plained out way to run this project. Also may have another friend with 4x4 workmaster55 with 6ft tiller,if his schuele allows him.

I know from state to state things vary ... NRCS paperwork ... I assume you put it in the farm program for cost share? If so Atoka County Oklahoma office has a no till we can rent ... I think I'd ask the office if you can no till opposed to a prepared seed bed... they may also have one at your county office.

I have been told Bahia takes time to germinate and produce, with hills that you have ... prepared ground can wash away with rain and leave a real mess.

 

[foreman Etexas]

I know from state to state things vary ... NRCS paperwork ... I assume you put it in the farm program for cost share? If so Atoka County Oklahoma office has a no till we can rent ... I think I'd ask the office if you can no till opposed to a prepared seed bed... they may also have one at your county office.

I have been told Bahia takes time to germinate and produce, with hills that you have ... prepared ground can wash away with rain and leave a real mess.

I wonted to do no-till on the hills and told the rep that but when I got my paper work in the mail it states prepared seed bed. So I wont to do as the paper works states,I think I can do the one big hill in sections,going crossway on hill and use some square bales to keep wash to a minimium. I think no-till is a better route but the rental on one may be to high,cause im also building 2,000ft of fence at the same time. The grass seed has went from $140 a bag to $250 a bag so thats some extra cost,oh and most important taking the wife on vacation(without kids),we are going to witchita falls March 6-8 for farm show them probaly head up into Oklahoma and mess around,just going to take a drive...

Sorry didnt answer question.Yes cost shares program

 

[duke7595]

I AGREE with Kyle in Tex.
I live in s/w Missouri where the ground is hard and somewhat rocky.
Every year we would plant winter wheat for the cattle to graze. In early August
we would prepare the ground and plant the winter wheat. By late Sept. early October we would put the cows on it. Come spring we applied NITRATE to give the wheat a boost and when ready turn out the cattle.

The only way to break the ground in my area sufficiently is to use a big off set disk. You will need a large tractor to pull these disks at least 65- 70 H.P. but your results will be worth it.

And you won't have to spray the weeds before hand and that in it self is a great savings.

Remember, you need a firm seed bed before you plant your wheat. Now you can take this for what it is. But find the largest cedar tree you can and
drag it over your field, you will surprised how well this compacts the seed bed.

Use a fertilizer buggy with your seed and fertilizer mixed together and spread it. After you have done that get your ceder tree and drag it over the entire field again, believe me this works so very very well. no need for the roller or anything else . This method is time tested in my area and works.

Good luck , Duke

 

[blueriver]

I wonted to do no-till on the hills and told the rep that but when I got my paper work in the mail it states prepared seed bed. So I wont to do as the paper works states,I think I can do the one big hill in sections,going crossway on hill and use some square bales to keep wash to a minimium. I think no-till is a better route but the rental on one may be to high,cause im also building 2,000ft of fence at the same time. The grass seed has went from $140 a bag to $250 a bag so thats some extra cost,oh and most important taking the wife on vacation(without kids),we are going to witchita falls March 6-8 for farm show them probaly head up into Oklahoma and mess around,just going to take a drive...

Sorry didnt answer question.Yes cost shares program

Okay ... I've been in those programs and really ... talk with them, they are very open minded ... share your concerns and they will listen. I found in the past they can even come up with "emergency" funding if you whine about some of the cost going up since you made the application ... once I even stated "Well just cancel the contract cause I can't do my end" ... well all of a sudden there was emergency funding available to finish the job.... they need to spend the money so they can get the allotment for next year.

 

[blueriver]

Also ... if your coming to Oklahoma and you get in the area of Caney, Ok ... let me know !! We'll sit down and visit. If you think you may be in my area pm me and I'll shoot you my cell phone ... Well heck its on my website!!!

 

[foreman Etexas]

Well I been thinking now since the Tifton9 has went to 250 a bag,should I be thinking about maybe another type of grass seed since the cost per acre is up anyways..

 

[TroySD]

We are from No Till country so I am a bit biased....but how is it possibly even close to be cheaper to make 3 passes across a field vs. renting a no till drill? Fuel, time, compaction from tractor, wear/maint...?

A proper no till application will be far superior to a "prepared seed bed" if the wind comes up or major precip comes your way.

Now if there isn't an implement available thats another situation entirely. Surely 40 acres can't take you very long to do with a no till right?

 

[foreman Etexas]

We are from No Till country so I am a bit biased....but how is it possibly even close to be cheaper to make 3 passes across a field vs. renting a no till drill? Fuel, time, compaction from tractor, wear/maint...?

A proper no till application will be far superior to a "prepared seed bed" if the wind comes up or major precip comes your way.

Now if there isn't an implement available thats another situation entirely. Surely 40 acres can't take you very long to do with a no till right?

Probaly wouldnt use a tank of fuel in each tractor,and the time is free. I spend every free minute helping others and when I finally ask for some help,I believe that others will show if able and own a tractor.I have been blessed to have what I do and will go an extra mile to help anyone in need. Im just going by my paper work,and no-till isnt an option but I will ask if I can but there just isnt alot of no-till rentals around here,I have a short window cause I have a full-time job,help take care of my parents ranch,take care of my own places,keep my boys when my wife is at college or work,help a guy feed his cows after i get off work,cause he has been going threw health problems,I help my neighbor work cows when needed,I help another neighbor since he didnt have a tractor but I sold him a tractor I had to help him get started for hardly nothing,I was helping coach little dribblers until they found a coach,im the type of guy that is going to pull over to lend a hand or be the guy you can call on(all for free).I dont drink,smoke,do drugs and my family is first.....................

Im just glad im not having to use a pulling MULE

 

[powerpace]

I would remind the NRCS boys what caused the Dust Bowl. Deep plowing and disturbing the topsoil in time of drought. Once you break the top crust of soil even on a loose soil moisture will be lost.

No-till would seem to be the route to take. I know you say it is not in the budget but one pass as opposed to several seems more cost saving.