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dr p 
Orange Level
Joined: 24 Feb 2019
Location: new york
Points: 1392
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 Topic: Planting decision
Posted: 09 Jun 2021 at 9:42pm |
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I have a 20 acre field I acquired this spring. Has been not farmed in a couple of years. Not grown up but a lot of orchard grass and weeds. Has a pretty good slope to it. I could probably strip crop it but I think it is probably best seeded down to a long term grass for hay, Timothy is my choice but certainly will need a nurse crop for erosion control.
My original plan was to plant it early may with grain oats as the nurse crop, I just finished picking rocks tonight and I think it is too late and too hot for oats now. Anybody got a good idea how I should proceed now? Guess I could wait until September and seed the Timothy with winter wheat or triticale. Or could I put the Timothy in now and use forage oats as a nurse crop, or maybe annual ryegrass now. Crappy hay weather right now so I do have a window now.
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DiyDave
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Gambrills, MD
Points: 54030
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Posted: 10 Jun 2021 at 4:23am |
Buckwheat. Good cover crop, and it improves the soil, fights some weeds. Short window to get it in, though. JMHO... 
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jaybmiller
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Greensville,Ont
Points: 24644
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Posted: 10 Jun 2021 at 5:45am |
I planted buckwheat as a covercrop/weed destroyer one year in the wife's veggie garden. man it was pretty ! covered real good, took care of a LOT of weeds. It kept reseeding itself for 2-3 seasons........ Did the winter rye in the fall several years,kept one 12' strip to harvest,late next summer, with the Gleaner A. So does harvesting one 300' strip of rye make me a farmer ?
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Kansas99
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Joined: 26 Feb 2015
Location: W Kansas
Points: 4867
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Posted: 10 Jun 2021 at 5:52am |
"So does harvesting one 300' strip of rye make me a farmer ?"
I don't know if that makes you a farmer but when you got done if you went and cut for your neighbor and spread it in his wheat field with your A, then it would make you a custom cutter. 
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"Thank you for your service Joe & the Ho"-----Joseph Stalin
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Lars(wi)
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Permian Basin
Points: 8024
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Posted: 10 Jun 2021 at 6:25am |
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Probably too hot for wild radishes?
I’ve read they are popular wind erosion control crop, and have a aggressive tap root that loosens up the top soil.
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I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.
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modirt
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Joined: 18 Jul 2018
Location: Missouri
Points: 8672
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Posted: 10 Jun 2021 at 12:26pm |
If ground is too steep to seed down without fear of erosion, it would be too steep for me to consider using as cropland.
So if wanting to convert from one grass to another, you might consider leaving current hay there now and either hitting it with RoundUp before planting, then seed with no till drill. Our local FSA office had one they rented out. If that won't work, then work ground, seed it to wheat or rye as a winter cover, frost seed the timothy next spring, then cut the nurse crop off early.
Guys around here are having good results rolling that up very green, then bagging it.
If after getting the nurse crop off, you don't see a good stand, can then go back and no till drill into the stubble.
Timothy would be a good way to go. I live in a horse market and it is about 1.5 to 2X the price of most other hays.....at least to some buyers.
Horse hay market is an enigma. There may be a few that will pay whatever, but the vast majority of horse owners.....at least those around here......don't know one hay from the next. If it's cheap and horse is still alive come Spring, it was good enough.
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dr p
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Joined: 24 Feb 2019
Location: new york
Points: 1392
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Posted: 10 Jun 2021 at 8:04pm |
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Modirt. Lots good info there. I would have preferred not to work the field up, but the ground had lots of ruts from the last corn harvest. Why would you suggest frost seeding the Timothy rather than planting when I put the wheat in? I will definitely make balage with the wheat or chop it and mix it with citrus pulp and put it in the silo. Tried letting the wheat mature and the Timothy got so tall I constantly plugged the combine
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allisbred
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Joined: 28 Mar 2015
Location: Hanover Pa
Points: 1011
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Posted: 10 Jun 2021 at 8:06pm |
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Not sure how far North you are but round up ready soy beans would me my choice to clean that field. Will help make some nice soil to sow a spring hay crop as well and can hit twice with roundup to clean all the weeds out.
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jansmith
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Joined: 30 Jun 2023
Location: USA Seattle
Points: 1
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Posted: 30 Jun 2023 at 9:24am |
Hey there! Making decisions about planting and crop choices can be quite a challenge, especially when considering factors like timing and weather. When I find myself in a pickle, I like to rely on a little randomness to help me out. Whether it's flipping a coin or rolling a dice, it adds a fun element of surprise. Speaking of rolling dice, did you know you can now roll a dice online? It's super convenient, especially for board gaming. Check out https://flipsimu.com/dice-roller/roll-d4/ to give it a try! Now, onto your question. Remember, farming decisions can be tough, but with a little help and some luck, you'll find the best approach for your field.
Edited by jansmith - 05 Jul 2023 at 6:47am
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