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Author Topic: Cost of topping grassland meadows  (Read 5722 times)

Taliesin

  • Joined Aug 2016
Cost of topping grassland meadows
« on: June 15, 2017, 11:39:49 am »

We bought 12.5 acres of land last year, 5.5 acres of which are meadows. I've just asked our local farmer to top the 5.5 acres and he has done a good job taking care to go round all the newly planted fruit trees. I've left the grass to mulch back in to improve fertility though next year will remove for hay. He has asked me to pay him what I think it's worth. Looking for suggestions on how much to pay, especially as I'll need to get this done at least twice per year for until I can afford to buy a compact tractor and flail mower.

henchard

  • Joined Dec 2010
  • Carmarthenshire
    • Two Retirees Start a New Life in Wales
    • Facebook
Re: Cost of topping grassland meadows
« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2017, 11:48:43 am »
Recommended contractor rates (which tend to be on the high side) and are here

http://www.naac.co.uk/LatestContractorPricesGuide

stufe35

  • Joined Jan 2013
Re: Cost of topping grassland meadows
« Reply #2 on: June 15, 2017, 12:17:28 pm »
As he has spent time mowing around trees and because it is a small area  you need base your payment on an hourly rate rather than the rate per acre.

I cant imagine the average farmer would expect the hourly rate mentioned in the link above- but I might be wrong !


Taliesin

  • Joined Aug 2016
Re: Cost of topping grassland meadows
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2017, 04:46:43 pm »
Thanks, that's helpful advice which I shall heed.

Backinwellies

  • Global Moderator
  • Joined Sep 2012
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Re: Cost of topping grassland meadows
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2017, 05:12:28 pm »
Depends a lot where you are ..... Here in Wales £20 an hour is about the going rate.   
Linda

Don't wrestle with pigs, they will love it and you will just get all muddy.

Let go of who you are and become who you are meant to be.

http://nantygroes.blogspot.co.uk/
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pgkevet

  • Joined Jul 2011
Re: Cost of topping grassland meadows
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2017, 06:09:01 pm »
I pay the chap that tops my scarey slopes @ £10/hr but he is using my tractor and topper and red.

SallyintNorth

  • Joined Feb 2011
  • Cornwall
  • Rarely short of an opinion but I mean well
    • Trelay Cohousing Community
Re: Cost of topping grassland meadows
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2017, 09:13:41 pm »
Man + gear Cumbria £20/hr + diesel

Same North Cornwall £35/hr includes diesel

These both for local guy lives within 2-3 miles. 
Don't listen to the money men - they know the price of everything and the value of nothing

Live in a cohousing community with small farm for our own use.  Dairy cows (rearing their own calves for beef), pigs, sheep for meat and fleece, ducks and hens for eggs, veg and fruit growing

stufe35

  • Joined Jan 2013
Re: Cost of topping grassland meadows
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2017, 10:21:18 pm »
I was going to say about £20 an hour but chickened out....I'd say your man would be very happy with that and would come again when you ask him next.

Taliesin

  • Joined Aug 2016
Re: Cost of topping grassland meadows
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2017, 10:28:11 pm »


Brilliant, thanks all. Charging an hourly rate seems fair. £20 including tractor, flail mower and fuel included. I'll go with that!

bazzais

  • Joined Jan 2010
    • Allt Y Coed Farm and Campsite
Re: Cost of topping grassland meadows
« Reply #9 on: June 17, 2017, 06:04:23 pm »
About £80 cash in hand I would think.

Will get cheaper and quicker once they learn the field.

(or more expensive if youve got some machinery death rocks)
« Last Edit: June 17, 2017, 06:07:27 pm by bazzais »

Still playing with tractors

  • Joined Jul 2012
  • Cumbernauld
  • You can never have enough HP
Re: Cost of topping grassland meadows
« Reply #10 on: June 27, 2017, 01:15:00 pm »
Bazzais is bang on, that's what I would charge based on normal topping and not heavy undergrowth which would probably be about the 100-115 mark.

Taliesin

  • Joined Aug 2016
Re: Cost of topping grassland meadows
« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2018, 03:13:17 am »
Picking up on your point of compact tractor and flail mower... yes nice to have, but I manage mine with a ride on mower and/or quad bike and tow along mower.  It does mean that it has to be cut a bit more frequently to manage the grass length but it's a cheaper option to get you started.  Hope that helps..

Hi, appreciate your post was last year though I'm interested in what you say about a quad/mower. Any recommendations on machines for someone starting up?

Backinwellies

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Re: Cost of topping grassland meadows
« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2018, 03:59:31 pm »
My OH is at this moment outside with quad and flail mower cutting rushes ..... does great job
Linda

Don't wrestle with pigs, they will love it and you will just get all muddy.

Let go of who you are and become who you are meant to be.

http://nantygroes.blogspot.co.uk/
www.nantygroes.co.uk
Nantygroes  facebook page

 

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