We’ve been dove hunting a former graze-out wheat field that eventually became a super sunflower plot for several years now but the bottom fell out this year. Last season we had probably the best crop of sunflowers in years but absolute none at this year. Broom weeds have taken over. Nothing has changed other than a year’s worth of rain in the first four months of the year….and almost nothing since. Don’t think we are going to have much luck this year hunting a broom weed field.

Somewhere I remember hearing that if you plow a field or just disturb the soil in January or February, it will encourage sunflower growth. Any truth to that? Never had a plow in the field that time of year because it would have plowed up the wheat grazing.

Any suggestions as to how I can get my sunflower field’s mojo back?

Plow in Jan fed or March or run some cattle on the field. Cattle works also

I use to disc in Feb, seems I get a better stand if I disc in late Dec to the end of Jan. Fertilize every couple of years before you disc. Also every other year I will chisel then disc. Tried just chiseling several years ago and it didn't do very well, have to disc over it.

Just discing to bring up a crop is going to bring up the predominant seed in the soil. Could be sunflowers, could be Johnson grass, could be mustard or broom weed. Roll the dice and move your mice.

Cut the broom weeds right before they bloom this fall
Then disk in feb or march that will work

Do not wait till March to disc, you might get a stand and you might not. You must disc before the last freeze.