The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: BacheBrook on September 07, 2011, 09:28:21 am
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Hey everyone!
I may be looking at letting out my 7 acres of pasture ground for winter grass keep! It has a good productive sward on it!
But I haven't got any livestock yet so aren't able to graze it myself! Hence why I'm looking at letting it out!
So basically just looking to see how much you would charge/pay if it were you!
I'm looking at letting it out for sheep from middle of October to middle of February, there is any water on the ground so I know this is a factor in the price :D
PLEASE HELP !!!!
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I meant there ISN'T any water on it :/
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Those with horses will be more likely to pay more money for the grazing, but they will probably want some sort of shelter and access to a water source. The other worry with horses is the fact that they will poach the ground horribly, especially through the wetter months.
Sheep grazing sits about 25-35p per head per week during the winter, the lack of water will not be such a worry but it will be used as a bargaining point to get a lower price by the grazier.
It may be worth while phoning your local auctioneers (McArtneys of Worcester, Bidwells?) They may have a list of local farmers who normally take on grazing throughout the winter and they could set up a proper commercial deal to ensure that you are legally covered and that your money is assured to be paid.
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On the water side of things, an old trailer (£20) and a 1000l plastic tub, IPC, (£40) and an old bath (free from a builder doing a place up) and you can solve your water probem permantly.
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Thanks guys! All Your advice is well appreciated! And dougal what an amazing idea :D
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On a similar theme we converted an ancient truck cab Landrover into a mobile water bowser using a couple of heavy duty posts for support and an IBC. Cant quite fill it to the top tho, with 1000 litres sloshing behind the centre of gravity of the Landy we wouldnt want to fill quite up to the top.....It works a treat and has given the old Landy a new role in life!
If using a cast iron bath (tho with the price of scrap thats unlikely to be free)get some foam pipe lagging for the edges, they can be lethal. If a steel bath. it should be weighted well down. Dont use a plastic one tho, it will shatter in the deep freeze we are promised or when kicked by a hoof. Good luck with finding a suitable trailer!
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Ive been using an IBC in the back of my pick-up as a water bowser as well. An alternative for a water trough is one of those big blue barrels. We got ours from a local printers who use water based inks and after a hot pressure wash and a disinfectant they were nice and clean. Then all I did was lay it down and cut an opening in the side. Sheep love it compared to a bath.