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Thread: converting pastures

  1. #1
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    Default converting pastures

    I've got some old pastures that I've decided I'd rather plant than mow. They have broomstraw growing and I'm trying to decide whether to burn them before first discing or just disc in the organic matter. Mostly sandy loam soil. I may also spray them with roundup before discing just to kill the grass quicker. What's the conventional wisdom? Is it better to just disc over and over or first get rid of some of the chaff? One advantage of burning is that it will give me one or two more of the burns I need to log for my burn manager cert.

    When discing, is there any value in discing deep or should I just go deep enough to cut the roots?

    Any other questions I didn't know enough to ask?

  2. #2
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    What are you wanting to plant?
    Member of the Tenth Legion Since 2004

  3. #3
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    Feb 2003
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    united states of america
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    Burn it disc spray in a month disc again

  4. #4
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    In the thick of it.
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    Default

    Burn disc plant or burn spray plant(no-till). No way I’d plow in all the broomsedge and weeds, it’ll cut much better without it. Also, if you plan to lime, spread it just before discing. Broomsedge is an indicator of low pH.
    Quote Originally Posted by ecu1984 View Post
    Go Tigers!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
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    Default

    What are you wanting to get rid of and what are you wanting to plant? I'd burn, spray the fescue or Bermuda a time or two, plant a cover crop of some sort(depending on when you get rid of the pasture grass) and then plant some NWSG, partridge pea, ragweed, and put in some plum and blackberry patches. Maintain with a good winter disc or fire every couple years.

  6. #6
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    parkers ferry field pic.jpg I have 6 acres of this I want to plant for doves, looks like regular lawn grass- don't know what it is as I just bought the place. Would a sod company want it instead of me disking it under?

  7. #7
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    Bowman
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bad Habit View Post
    parkers ferry field pic.jpg I have 6 acres of this I want to plant for doves, looks like regular lawn grass- don't know what it is as I just bought the place. Would a sod company want it instead of me disking it under?
    No just disc it under
    cut\'em

  8. #8
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    I'd just disc it too. I was picturing an old field with knee to waist high broomsedge.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
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    Columbia
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    I don’t think there is a min size for your burn certification. Break the block into how ever many burns you need and call them in as separate burns.


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  10. #10
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    My fields don't look like the one somebody posted. Mine have substantial broomstraw and maybe a bit of dog fennel. Ultimately, a couple fields will be game food plots...maybe some chufa, clover, annual deer food, etc. Once I get a handle on the smaller fields, I want to turn an 8 acre pasture into a dove field

    Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

  11. #11
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    What sporting woodies said is what I do and it works beautifully
    I am a nobody, that met somebody, that can save anybody.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    Monticello, AR
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    Burn all the fields before you do anything. It’ll make your life much easier.
    For the ducks

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
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    Quote Originally Posted by Palmetto Bug View Post
    My fields don't look like the one somebody posted. Mine have substantial broomstraw and maybe a bit of dog fennel. Ultimately, a couple fields will be game food plots...maybe some chufa, clover, annual deer food, etc. Once I get a handle on the smaller fields, I want to turn an 8 acre pasture into a dove field

    Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
    It will be impressive when it burns. Id try to back burn it. Keep the nearby trees in mind. Nearby pines will probably brown up if the flames get high but should be fine. Hardwoods might not be as hardy

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
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    Newington GA
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    Leave it alone, a grown weed Field will hold more deer than a food plot.

  15. #15
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    Mar 2009
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    Ruffin
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    bottom plow then disc just my 2cents

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