When is it best to Disc

[MichiganIron]

We just had both of our fields sprayed down. It was about time, they were both over 8 years old, and started to get too heavy with Thistle and Nettle. We had them sprayed down the last week of August and are pretty well burnt off now. We plan to re-seed in the spring. Is it best to let it sit for the winter, or should the fields be disced just before the first frost to get the debris into the soil? All suggestions welcome.

 

[oldnslo]

What type of disc and what type of soil? If this is unbroken sod it will take a heavy disc or an offset disc to work it up unless light sandy soil.

What are you planting in the spring?

 

[MichiganIron]

What type of disc and what type of soil? If this is unbroken sod it will take a heavy disc or an offset disc to work it up unless light sandy soil.

What are you planting in the spring?

Heavy soil, not sod. The field is a burnt down Timothy / Alfalfa hay field. We use a 12 foot hydraulic lift gang disc. The disc weighs about 3000lbs.

We will be planting Timothy / Alfalfa with some Oats mixed in for cover next spring.

 

[scootr]

For what it's worth the wheat farmers in CA have already disced their fields in preparation for next years crop.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

We just had both of our fields sprayed down. It was about time, they were both over 8 years old, and started to get too heavy with Thistle and Nettle. We had them sprayed down the last week of August and are pretty well burnt off now. We plan to re-seed in the spring. Is it best to let it sit for the winter, or should the fields be disced just before the first frost to get the debris into the soil? All suggestions welcome.

I would want to disc or turn under now to start the breaking down process of the debris and then I would run over it again prior to planting as many times as needed to get it smooth for my future hay crop, but now I'm deep in the South and things can be different in other regions, it would be wise to ask an experienced farmer in your area. Good luck.

 

[masseyrider]

I would plow to turn up the roots and leave it over winter. Freezing should help kill the weeds.
Disc in the spring at your earliest practical chance.
If you just disc it now you won't do much to the deeper rooted weeds.
The field will look nicer but the roots will be ready to take off in the spring.

 

[oldnslo]

If your ground is as dry and hard as here in northern Illinois that disc may only scratch the surface. We are having traction problems pulling disc ripper since tire lugs won’t bite in the hard ground.

This is a 20,000 lb ripper and 50,000+ lb tractor.