Range Renovation - Chiseling and Scalping

Range and Pasture Technical Note Number MT-24

If you encounter any problems with the file provided on this page, please contact Technical Resources at 406-587-6822.

A printer-friendly versions of this technical note is available in Adobe Reader format.

Range and Pasture Technical Note Number MT-24 (PDF; 106 KB)

June 1977.
By Joe Wirak, Range Conservationist, SCS.

Chiseling and scalping on rangeland breaks up the low-growing, sod-forming species such as blue grama and clubmoss. Taller-growing, deeper-rooted grasses are given a better chance to compete for moisture and nutrients. Water infiltration rates are increased and runoff reduced.

Chiseling requires a standard chisel-type cultivator. Four to six inch wide chisels should be spaced 1 foot apart and operated at a depth of 4 to 6 inches.

Scalping requires a special built cultivator that removes sod strips but leaves undisturbed strips between the removed sections.

For scalping the machine should remove 18 to 28 inch wide sod strips spaced 4 to 5.5 feet apart. The cut should be at a depth of 3 to 5 inches. The stripped sod will be turned over with half on either side of the scalped row. The overturned sod will cover 18 to 28 inches of sod between the furrows leaving 5 to 12 inches of sod undisturbed. On sloping land, the scalper should be raised out of the ground periodically to leave natural dams for controlling runoff. It is extremely important that operating speed be controlled so that the sod is turned completely upside-down next to the furrow.

Chiseling and scalping can be used to hasten recovery of rangeland when the following conditions exist.

1. Low-growing, sod-forming species such as clubmoss and blue grama occur in such abundance that plant vigor of the more desirable species is reduced.
2. Desirable species such as needleandthread, green needlegrass ,western wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass, or bluebunch wheatgrass must be present in sufficient quantity (at least 20 percent) to increase by seed or rhizomes in area to be treated. Where less than 20 percent of the desirable species are present, prepare a seedbed and seed according to range seeding or pasture seeding specifications.
3. On range sites of sandy, silty, clayey, and panspots in 10 to 19 inch precipitation zones with less than 15 percent slopes.
4. Little or no possibility of noxious weed invasion.
5. The area will receive good grazing management after treatment.

When the above conditions exist and chiseling and scalping is considered the following planning is necessary.

a. Renovate during plant dormancy in late fall or early spring when soil moisture is adequate for efficient tillaqe.
b. All mechanical treatment should be on the contour.
c. Allow for travel lanes in the treatment area.
d. Apply treatment in large blocks so it can be fenced and managed as a separate unit. (Within the renovated area keep untreated range to a minimum).
e. Do not chisel or scalp the natural waterways.
f. Defer grazing at least two years following renovation.
g. Program the range renovation into a long-term deferred or rest- rotation grazing system to assure longevity of treatment.

Practical experience indicates that production can be increased by approximately three times that of range in low condition. Production increase is due to change in plant composition and from the release of nutrients of decomposing vegetation during the first two or three years.

Interseeding is not recommended with renovation. Response and change in vegetation is from reproduction of existing desirable species. The following points should be helpful in selection of renovation method.

1. For scalping make sure a machine is available that will do the job as described. Chisel equipment is nearly always available and easily adapted for range chiseling.
2. Scalping works best in rock-free surfaces with slopes less than 10 percent. Chiseling adapts well to all situations as previously described.
3. After scalping the surface is extremely rough and will remain so for many years. Chiseling will mellow down in 6 to 8 years.
4. Costs are usually one to two dollars more per acre for scalping.
5. Soil moisture storage is greater under the scalping treatment and may have a longer lasting benefit.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Ronald Nadwornick, State Resource Conservationist
Phone: (406) 587-6998
Email: Ronald.Nadwornick

< Back to Range and Pasture Technical Notes

Last Modified: 08/19/2008