Pasture Renovation - Soil Sample... Done. Now What?

[blueriver]

The Hay King renovator has coulters that slice the sod. That way, you don't tear up the sod in the first place. Coulters also allows the plow to run deeper with less resistance.

Yes thats correct and thats why I was saying I had the problem with the boxblade ... I have since added coulters to the unit I built and today I hope to finish the break away shanks ... I didn't do that at first and planted a shank in the ground!!!

I'm still fine tuning and will post some up to date pictures.

 

[kfvintx]

Forgot to ask ... did the soil test require any lime?

I was expecting it to require lime but surprised it doesn't really.

Soil sample results below. I previously posted K was recommended but it is not.


Sample 1-bare ground: pH=6.5 ; N=2 (95 lbs/acre) ; P=10 (100 lbs/acre) ; Sulfur=11 (5 lbs/acre) ; 0 lime recommended

Sample 2-weedy unmowed spot: pH=6.2 ; N=1 (95 lbs/acre) ; P=7 (105 lbs/acre) ; Sulfur=8 (10 lbs/acre) ; 0 lime recommended

Sample 3-good coastal hayed last year: pH=5.8 ; N=1 (95 lbs/acre) ; P=3 (115 lbs/acre) ; Sulfur=6 (10 lbs/acre) ; 1 ton/acre lime recommended

Sample 4-bare, weedy area: pH=7.1 ; N=2 (95 lbs/acre) ; P=5 (110 lbs/acre) ; Sulfur=7 (10 lbs/acre) ; 0 lime recommended

Trying to get more info from Ag Extension agent and find time to meet with them. My problem is this ranch is 4 hour drive from where I live so only up there usually on weekends. Therefore, I'm trying to educate myself as much as possible before so when I do get time with them it is most useful.

 

[kfvintx]

We sell Hayking Pasture Renovators. We also sell a lot of these used renovators that do all the work in 1 pass. Here is a example below. Ken Sweet
Used Farnam 7 Ft Seeder and Renovator, WE CAN SHIP,CALL 1-866-528-3323-M-F | eBay

I'm possibly interested in Hayking Renovator. I replied to your other thread "Pasture Renovator, Chain Harrows, Vertical Tillage" http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/232882-pasture-renovators-chain-harrows-vertical.html requesting quote for 4 or 5 shank model shipped to 77433 but never received response. I know everyone gets busy and I'm still interested if you can provide quote.

 

[Western]

Lime is usually not a problem here in N Texas.

As far as the cactus and mesquite, you'll want to get as much of the plant as you can. Cactus will regrow from every "leaf", so make sure you get it all. I would find a remote spot for a burn pile and pile it all there to burn next winter.
The bare spot. You can sprig those yourself. Buy the baled sprigs, disc the area that is bare, hand spread the sprigs, then lightly disc again, then fertilize. Do this as close to rain as possible. Early spring is best, while it is still dormant.

I have used a disc many times on coastal, cuts up the runners and makes it thicker. I also rented an aerator every 3rd year and ran it over the feeds, I used one that made 6" deep "plugs" and one that just made "slits". They both worked fine.

What I did and what I would do if I was you. I used liquid fertilizer the 1st time every year, in March usually. I had 2-4 D broad leaf weed killer added, (why I used liquid). The fertilizer company put this out for me.

I fertilized my coastal after every cutting using the soil test recommendations

 

[Western]

Lime is usually not a problem here in N Texas.

As far as the cactus and mesquite, you'll want to get as much of the plant as you can. Cactus will regrow from every "leaf", so make sure you get it all. I would find a remote spot for a burn pile and pile it all there to burn next winter.
The bare spot. You can sprig those yourself. Buy the baled sprigs, disc the area that is bare, hand spread the sprigs, then lightly disc again, then fertilize. Do this as close to rain as possible. Early spring is best, while it is still dormant.

I have used a disc many times on coastal, cuts up the runners and makes it thicker. I also rented an aerator every 3rd year and ran it over the feeds, I used one that made 6" deep "plugs" and one that just made "slits". They both worked fine.

What I did and what I would do if I was you. I used liquid fertilizer the 1st time every year, in March usually. I had 2-4 D broad leaf weed killer added, (why I used liquid). The fertilizer company put this out for me. I used the fertilizer company's "bins" to put out fertilizer the rest of the year. (rinse the he$$ out of your truck and tractor when your done)

I fertilized my coastal after every cutting using the soil test recommendations

 

[bucktaker]

Yes thats correct and thats why I was saying I had the problem with the boxblade ... I have since added coulters to the unit I built and today I hope to finish the break away shanks ... I didn't do that at first and planted a shank in the ground!!!

I'm still fine tuning and will post some up to date pictures.

Are those formerly box blade rippers? I have two plans ... one tilt the bb forward so it will not collect or add length to my rippers by bolting some metal stock to them.if it work could even weld the additional length

What is a good depth to try to achieve 6+ inches below? or more
I want to try to improve my pasture as much as possible while it is in use. Fertilizer too far up in price. I do spread manure on the field after it has composted a year or so

 

[blueriver]

Are those formerly box blade rippers? I have two plans ... one tilt the bb forward so it will not collect or add length to my rippers by bolting some metal stock to them.if it work could even weld the additional length

What is a good depth to try to achieve 6+ inches below? or more
I want to try to improve my pasture as much as possible while it is in use. Fertilizer too far up in price. I do spread manure on the field after it has composted a year or so

These were the bars from old combines that the sickle sections bolted to. I'm going as deep as 14-16... A bottom plow will go 12" deep and I want to break the old plow pan, a disc will go 6" and devolope a disc pan ... so I breaking the disc and plow pan.

Some folks don't realize a disc can compact the ground.

 

[Bigfoot62]

I was expecting it to require lime but surprised it doesn't really.

Soil sample results below. I previously posted K was recommended but it is not.


Sample 1-bare ground: pH=6.5 ; N=2 (95 lbs/acre) ; P=10 (100 lbs/acre) ; Sulfur=11 (5 lbs/acre) ; 0 lime recommended

Sample 2-weedy unmowed spot: pH=6.2 ; N=1 (95 lbs/acre) ; P=7 (105 lbs/acre) ; Sulfur=8 (10 lbs/acre) ; 0 lime recommended

Sample 3-good coastal hayed last year: pH=5.8 ; N=1 (95 lbs/acre) ; P=3 (115 lbs/acre) ; Sulfur=6 (10 lbs/acre) ; 1 ton/acre lime recommended

Sample 4-bare, weedy area: pH=7.1 ; N=2 (95 lbs/acre) ; P=5 (110 lbs/acre) ; Sulfur=7 (10 lbs/acre) ; 0 lime recommended

Trying to get more info from Ag Extension agent and find time to meet with them. My problem is this ranch is 4 hour drive from where I live so only up there usually on weekends. Therefore, I'm trying to educate myself as much as possible before so when I do get time with them it is most useful.

"pH=6.2-6.5" While it may read "0 lime recommended," I would still put some. 7 is neutral. The closer you get to that, the better results you will get from your fertilizer. I limed my hay meadows last winter, even though there was "0 lime recommended" on my report as well. My pH was about the same as yours. (low 6's)

Check your report again. I'll bet that's not "lbs/acre," but it's "units" per acre. In other words, ammonium sulphate contains 21 units of N per 100 lbs. To get 95 units of N, you will need nearly 500 lbs per acre. Same with the Phosphorus. I think that the ammonium sulphate will take care of your Sulphur requirement.
See this chart for N: Nitrogen Conversion Chart

If you can't meet up with the County Agent where the farm is, then just drop by the office in the county where you live. They will probably be glad to help you. :thumbsup:

 

[sweettractors]

I'm possibly interested in Hayking Renovator. I replied to your other thread "Pasture Renovator, Chain Harrows, Vertical Tillage" http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/232882-pasture-renovators-chain-harrows-vertical.html requesting quote for 4 or 5 shank model shipped to 77433 but never received response. I know everyone gets busy and I'm still interested if you can provide quote.

I am waiting on my 2012 price list to get here so I can give you the correct quote. I am hoping to get it tomorrow. Ken Sweet

 

[bucktaker]

Ken ,post or pm me too