From brush to pasture

[saltbranch]

Looking for some advice. Currently clearing brush,discing and came back and spray. then disc again. I am using the ratchet rake which removes alot roots and all, but I cant get it all. I wonder if plowing would help any, getting in deeper and turning it up more? My end goal is to plant seed for grazing. pics to show what I am doing.

thanks

 

[texasjohn]

Can't tell where you are from your profile.
Looks like South Texas to me...is that a mesquite in the middle of raked ground in last photo?
If so, need to take it out...else the beans will continue to fall, sprout and cause continual problems.
Am amazed you got that much done without plowing, yes, that will turn up more roots and result in greater brush kill/control. A chisel plow will do a great job of ripping up roots. With the ground work you've already done, residual grass seed is minimal, so, yes, reseeding is your path to grass.

 

[saltbranch]

Can't tell where you are from your profile.
Looks like South Texas to me...is that a mesquite in the middle of raked ground in last photo?
If so, need to take it out...else the beans will continue to fall, sprout and cause continual problems.
Am amazed you got that much done without plowing, yes, that will turn up more roots and result in greater brush kill/control. A chisel plow will do a great job of ripping up roots. With the ground work you've already done, residual grass seed is minimal, so, yes, reseeding is your path to grass.

Yes south of San Antonio about 50 miles. Mesquite brush and others various species. This area in the pics I did last year, have had some new growth. Sprayed and have disced again. I scrape everything and push into brush piles. New growth seems to come from what I can get out of the ground. What size chisel plow should I look at for a 53Hp 2 wd?
I have a larger area of brush I am going to start working in the next month.

Thanks

 

[texasjohn]

I know the area. Grew up in Uvalde area, Nueces river headwaters.

In theory, you want about 10 hp per chisel. In practice, it depends on what kind of chisel you have, 3ph or on wheels with hydraulic lift. I've used a chisel with 8 tines, 50hp 4wd tractor. Times bolt on, so you can remove one or more to match your tractor and needs. With wheels, you can control depth more easily than with 3ph, or so it seems to me. I think I get more hp to the implement with a wheeled plow, but either style works.

You can start off shallow, pass over entire field (tines will also kinda act as a rake, so will need to lift and drop collected debris from time to time) in one direction. Then, at an angle and somewhat deeper, then again at yet a different angle. The first pass seems to just scratch the ground, the second you begin to really get some action and clumps of dirt break up, the third pass, often I'm able to get tines about a foot or maybe more into the ground (houston black clay, not your sandy soil).

You burn a lot of fuel with a chisel plow but it does break up the ground, pull up roots and debris and rocks. You'll wish you had 4wd, but will be able to get the job done...remember you can lock the differential as needed. Moisture conditions are significant in getting results...each soil type is different, just pay attention to what works best and hopefully you can get the work done when conditions are favorable. However, if like me, you may have to get it done when you have the time, regardless of conditions.

Let's hope for rain!

 

[greasemonkeyok]

You may want to visit with an ag econ specialist unless you are also doing this for fun and ROI is not important. The amount of additional forage you will get by physically removing the brush may take a long time to pay back the cost of removal. Plus you will have more erosion doing what you are doing..

Have you explored the idea of spraying and letting the grass grow under the dead brush? That may actually give you a much quicker return on your investment. Then you can take your time removing the dead wood.