[blades]

I have recently moved to the country and am quite inexperienced with regards land techniques so was hoping someone could explain the steps throughout a year to maintaining a paddock. I keep a few alpacas and hope to get to the point that they keep most of the grass down. However at present in a couple of the paddocks the grass has become quite long. I have considered asking a local farmer to come in to cut and bale it for me but perhaps it is too late for that this year? I do have a compact tractor with a cutting deck so I could top the fields but then thought it was detrimental leaving the cut grass lying?
I would be grateful for any advice or perhaps a point in the right direction to find this information?

Thank you in advance

[robert waddell]

you dont say how many acres the paddocks are      if they are small the compact would do with the deck set at the highest setting   as long as the toppings are not to heavy it should wilt down alright

[blades]

you dont say how many acres the paddocks are      if they are small the compact would do with the deck set at the highest setting   as long as the toppings are not to heavy it should wilt down alright

Hi and thanks

The paddocks are 3x 1.5 acres plus a small one of around 1/2 acre. once this is done is it just a case of keep going over it with the mow deck on high? Should I consider a harrow?

[robert waddell]

only in the spring to level out mole hills and tear the dead grass out

[blades]

only in the spring to level out mole hills and tear the dead grass out

Thank you Robert

[Fronhaul]

Alpacas tend to make dung piles so you will probably need to pick up dung to avoid getting sour patches of long grass.  You definitely need to cut the grass because if it is too long the alpacas simply won't eat it and you will need to supplement their food.  And at £26 a bag that isn't a cheap exercise.

[blades]

Alpacas tend to make dung piles so you will probably need to pick up dung to avoid getting sour patches of long grass.  You definitely need to cut the grass because if it is too long the alpacas simply won't eat it and you will need to supplement their food.  And at £26 a bag that isn't a cheap exercise.

Thank you

[waterhouse]

Get a soil analysis done of your pasture to find if it needs feeding or liming etc.

I top the grass with a mower deck which chucks the cuttings out sideways. I used to have a topper but it left a neat line of grass piled up behind it which rotted and killed the grass beneath. 

The best value tool is a chain harrow

[blades]

Get a soil analysis done of your pasture to find if it needs feeding or liming etc.

I top the grass with a mower deck which chucks the cuttings out sideways. I used to have a topper but it left a neat line of grass piled up behind it which rotted and killed the grass beneath. 

The best value tool is a chain harrow

Thanks waterhouse..... can you do the soil analysis done yourself or do you get someone in to do it?

Yeah definitely intend to buy a chain harrow!

[waterhouse]

You can get basic self-test kits from anywhere but these use colour matching and are at best an indication.  There are plenty of specialist firms online who will send you sample pots.  Take samples from several different areas of your land, and make sure you dig into the real soil.  You will get a detailed analysis with recommendations.

In any case it's worthwhile digging some one foot cube holes just to look at the soil structure and to smell the soil.  You will learn a lot. It's part of the absolute truth that the best fertiliser is the farmer's boot.

[blades]

Thanks for the info