Hi All
We have 16 acres (at 900ft) and will be cropping late cut haylage for our horses (and sheep) from at least 50% of the land. Its meadow/old pasture, previously grazed by neighbour's sheep. It has been rested for a year whilst we took a 100% crop last summer before livestock introduced in autumn/winter. Land is quite heavy clay, gently sloping northwards with fairly good devon banks/tree shelter. We have a 30hp compact tractor with 3pt linkage.
Density?
We will be rotating pasture/ grazing with our 4 no. horses and 20 sheep (plus followers) with possibility of two house cows on 50% whilst haylage crop taken. Then continue on the aftermath thru autumn/winter. Horses will have restricted turn out in spring (and possibly autumn), so largely the 8 acres will be for the sheep and cattle. Is that ok in terms of stocking density? ie notionally 2 acres for cows and 6 acres x5 = 30 sheep. Does the 5 per acre allow for followers ie we could have 25-30 lambs next year. (gulp, just done that calculation....)
Equipment?
We know we definately we need a roller and a harrow (all that poaching and cutting up by horses, plus the mole hills). Question is what type and how large (field sizes are 2.5-5 acres) ie is a harrow in a frame we can lift up worth the extra money? One field is sort of reclaimed ie dips from an old stream/spreads from a spring in field above which has been diverted still evident. Salesman said a frameless harrow might be better but can't lift these up? Rest of land is fairly "smooth". Apart from removing the dead thatch, breaking up horse manure and flattening mole hills is primary use.
Do we need a topper and if so what type? Flail or rotary. New, former is 2x price at £2k (been looking on ebay, not much coming up). Hesitation with topper is if we have horses, sheep and cattle will we really have any roughs that need topped out? There is a small patch of reeds around the spring, but its so small it can be cut down by hand. However, I know to get a good haylage crop, topping to prevent seeding and encourage a good thick sward is much better than adding fertilizer. Is it possible to hire toppers if we only use it 1-2 a year? Or get a contractor in? (Contractor cuts our haylage).
Management?
Will I need to lime the land every year or every 2-3 years? I am working on basis that manure from animals will naturally fertilise the land but it does make it more acidic.
Anyone overseeded grass with clover or other grass types to improve instead of applying fertilizer? Could I use the manure from the horses stables and if so how long to let it rot down before spreading and how long before I could graze land again (especially with horses)?
Anyone recommend soil testing facility/lab in Devon/South west?
Rotation Plan?
My rotation plan is cows (with rams), then horses, then ewes/lambs - makes sense? What is optimum time for animals to stay on one section of pasture? My sheep course said 10 days-2 weeks, but 3-4 weeks is what I'm doing at present. Is that too long viz worms and foot rot?
Greatly appreciate advice from real life (and not just books and salesmen!). Head is spinning, so sorry for long post.