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Leveling off an alfalfa field

J

jd-tom

Member
A few weeks ago someone told me of a way to smooth out a rough alfalfa field - you set your tandem disk to go an inch deep or so, then disk the field. He claimed that it works well and doesn't hurt the alfalfa plants. Has anyone out there heard of this or tried it? If so, what time of the year is the best time to do this?
 
I have always used a disc as you describe. Works great. You can also hook a drag on the back of the disc. That works even better. Jack
 
I've heard of discing an old alfalfa field to split the crowns and revive the field for a few years, but never for leveling it.
Let us know how it works!

Larry NE IL
 
I always used a springtooth with alfalfa teeth two angles across a field. It would rip out any grass and leave it on top to die. It also tears out the old crowns and lets rain and fertilizer penetrate better. I always liked spring before it starts to grow. On old fields I have done it in the fall and spring both....James
 
No rocks, very little small gravel near the river bottom, sandy loam soil. My problem with a drag is it plugs up with crowns and no loose dirt to level with....James
 
The "leveling effect" will be minimal at best.

The purpose is to kill unwanted weeds and grasses in an established stand of alfalfa.

Done when the soil is damp and before the crown starts to green up. Set the disc just as deep as it will cut.

Allan
 
We work our Alfalfa ground in the spring about the time things start greening up. You can disc it or use a Vibra-Shank, Triple K or what some folks call a digger. We also have a set of tine harrows mounted on the implement as well.
 
Would the same thing be beneficial in a grass hay field

If so, would I set the disc to cut at a minimum angle?

Also if I am reading right you all are saying early spring?
 
No, a disk is not a leveling tool. if the field is rough you may try a springtooth but I doubt you'll see much improvement. If you want a smooth field you have to start with a smooth field. Before you plant.
 
Allan, what Paul is talkin' 'bout is, if you have a field of Bahaia or brumda could you disk it? To answer you're question Paul: Yes you can and it, is good for the grass, defitly for brumda(Don't go past 2" though). Its best done right after fertilizing and must be followed by some sort of leveling item(nothin' with blades or teeth). The best items to use are ether an old gate or a cattle guard(the cattle guard must be upside down).
Alex
 
It was smooth when I planted it but I used oats as a nurse crop and when it was time to combine it the rain decided to start in. After laying in the windrow for 10 days, I ended up having to tip the oats windrows with a rotary rake to get them to dry out. They dried out the next day and we were able to combine the oats then. The trouble came when the one combine drive wheel drove where the oats windrow had been before I tipped it. That ground was still soft and it tracked up the field from that wheel. So now I have a rough field because of it. Guess I'll try some lighter type of harrow next spring but I'll probably just have to live with it.
 
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