The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Alan Timms on December 07, 2015, 04:06:32 pm

Title: Restoring field after pigs!
Post by: Alan Timms on December 07, 2015, 04:06:32 pm
Dear All

I am opening up areas of my paddock for pigs which arrive in the new year. I am very much aware that the land will resemble the Somme within a short period. My query is related to restoring the land when they are moved off. I have a compact tractor but am unsure which type of implement would be best to use in recreating a paddock. I don't want to go to the expense of several implements just wondered if anyone had thoughts. A plough would clearly be good but of course it won't leave it level so would appreciate your thoughts please.

Thank you in anticipation.

Alan
Title: Re: Restoring field after pigs!
Post by: Fleecewife on December 07, 2015, 04:11:56 pm
What we found after pigs is that , because their feet all sink in the same amount, there is a hard pan a bit below the surface.  Ideally this needs to be ploughed (a single furrow plough isn't expensive). After we let it stand for a while to weather, we would then go over it with a tractor driven rotavator (our little tractor is a Siromer).  The rotavator is useful for all sorts of things, but doesn't work the soil deeply enough to break up the hard pan.  It leaves it ready for planting straight afterwards.
Title: Re: Restoring field after pigs!
Post by: Carse Goodlifers on December 09, 2015, 09:59:29 pm
A small grubber would do to.
You may need to go over the area a couple of times and in perhaps different directions but providing that the ground is not too wet ( :roflanim:) it should get rid of any compaction below and leave a good enough tilth to allow you then to go over the area and seed it and then roll it straight after.
Title: Re: Restoring field after pigs!
Post by: Alan Timms on December 10, 2015, 09:17:18 pm
Many thanks both. What a very good community this is!
Title: Re: Restoring field after pigs!
Post by: Possum on December 12, 2015, 08:25:39 pm
Do you need a tractor for a grubber or can you hitch it to a 4x4?
Title: Re: Restoring field after pigs!
Post by: Carse Goodlifers on December 14, 2015, 09:28:29 pm
You would need a tractor in order to pull a grubber.
Title: Re: Restoring field after pigs!
Post by: Possum on December 15, 2015, 06:19:49 pm
Oh dear. I thought you might say that.  ::)