I think the plough is like most things. It's a tool to be used. Sometimes it's the right thing to use and sometimes it isn't. The circumstances where it should be used is probably limited to claiming new ground from hill or scrub and getting rid of old grass leys that need levelling maybe?I'm actually a big fan of ploughing, and deeply. (Snigger) But - Only where appropriate. Ploughing long term grass is a n excellent way of removing compaction, and mixing OM throughout the soil. If its done infrequently (currently aiming for a 10 year rotation at its shortest) then you are unlikely to bring up too much rubbish, so you can get a clean seedbed for pickier grass mixes and not have to spray with too many nasties.
Trash remaining on the surface for a long time is an indicator of poor soil health IMO.
First field I ever ploughed was a rank old permanent pasture field that was badly compacted and tired. It was immediately down with stubble turnips and the soil cake me alive after the plough ran through it. It was about mid June and 2 weeks later it was a tinge of green turnip leaves among a sheet of white where the whole field was covered in field mushrooms. Never seen mushrooms there before. I filled carrier bags and took them to the pub to some of the older people there that used to ask me if I ever saw some about nowadays. They were so happy with my bounty I drank for free for about a month
Then I f**ked it and ploughed it again and it's a sticky mess still