I'm trying to decide if the cost of a no till drill is worth the investment. I currently plant around 9 acres of oats for deer and my cattle. I do like the idea of no more disking before planting. I usually do some type of plot year round. Would like to hear some thought if the expense of no till drill is worth it. Also thinking with a no till I could do more winter pastures for my cows and cut the winter time feed bill drastically. Thanks for the input.
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I will tell you that if you think you will never have to disc again that is not true. The land will compact eventually and you will have to break it up, especially if you have cattle? Our area we have lots of mesquites and if you do they will take over. My guess is that about 2 to 3 yrs expect to have to deep plow it again.
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I always wanted a no till drill but after talking to people that have them they still disk every time so don't think it cost effectiveLast edited by Anythinghunter8; 11-14-2017, 03:12 PM.
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Thanks for the responses. Did not realize you will still have to disk often. My thinking is I own a 70hp tractor and a 7' disk. It takes me a while to get the plots ready by making 2-3 passes. I don't think my tractor will handle a much bigger disk. So with out buying a new bigger tractor and a bigger disk I could buy a used no till for less money. I also do weed spray every year so the mesquites are taken care of.
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Originally posted by Soggy Bottom View PostThanks for the responses. Did not realize you will still have to disk often. My thinking is I own a 70hp tractor and a 7' disk. It takes me a while to get the plots ready by making 2-3 passes. I don't think my tractor will handle a much bigger disk. So with out buying a new bigger tractor and a bigger disk I could buy a used no till for less money. I also do weed spray every year so the mesquites are taken care of.
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I havent disced in years. No till only . Extensive use of rotational planting works great for me. Never clean the table. Candidly don't use synthetic fertilizer anymore either. I find crop rotations and occasional chicken litter works just fine for all nutrient needs. My soil isn't good enough for commercial ag but plenty good enough for deer.
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Originally posted by txarcher View PostYou shouldn't have to keep discing. If you put in the proper cover crops and build up the organic matter in the soil, compaction will eventually not be an issue. Using chemical to control weeds and mesquites is also key.
You got to have a sprayer that's a key ingredient to no till planting. Especially if the cover crop doesn't come up. Likely you'll have the worst problems with weeds and mesquite if your cover crop doesn't take over so you'll have to double down on torching it with chemicals.
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