I have a large field of goatweed. Majority of the plants are 2 foot tall or taller. Birds are in and around the field, I've been seeing them on the fenceline daily.

How do I prepare the field for opening day? Leave it alone or shred/plow some under? I've heard the seeds won't drop until October. Is there a method to maximize it for the birds or should I just leave it alone? I was thinking shredding the tops would knock out some seed.

Thank you

Shred part of it and, if you can, pick up cutting (our guy bales them and uses as field hay). Plowing under would work too. Dove like to eat on open ground, if possible.

Thank you for the suggestion. Pick up the cuttings in order to have the ground as clean as possible, correct?

Yep. You can also drag a harrow or rake across it too. Not really what a harrow is made for, but it works ok.

Put some cows in there. They'll eat the grass and leave the goat weed. The doves will find the seeds easier without the grass.

I love the smell of goatweed in September

Shred around the edges and fence rows, that gives them a landing zone.

Have a 80 acre field, dumped the cows in end of June shredded the edges and an X across the field today. Seeing a good number of birds. On a side note caught 3 trespassers today and ran off about 4 more. Sure brazen with us working the field. Come the 1st no more warnings just arrest and prosecute. The Old Man Hates Trespassers.