Advice for a new land owner regarding pasture management

OTR

Member
Location
Oxon
Hi All,

I've recently bought 11 acres of good pasture land in West Oxfordshire with the idea of starting a farming project that I can dedicate 2 days/week (the land is 1:15hr away, and I work 5 days/week in an office job). I'm hoping to move closer in the next 18 months so I can spend more time there.

Meanwhile, as weather temperature started rising the grass is getting longer very quickly. Clearly, I have no means to cut it and sell it as hay.

If I manage to find a farmer nearby with the equipment to cut it and bale it, is it reasonable to expect some income from that? Clearly it will be on a much reduced price as they have done most of the work.

Other suggestions are welcome!
 

Werzle

Member
Location
Midlands
After you have paid the farmer or contractor to mow, ted , row up, bale and stack the hay/silage you are going to earn less than if you just lett it for grazing or mowing at somewhere around or above the £50 /acre mark .
 
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Pasty

Member
Location
Devon
Agree with Werzle. Speak to a local land agents about grazing licenses, not tenancies. This means someone just buys the crop of grass from you but you retain access to the land and you can always leave a plot out if you want a little bit to play with short term. I was charging £65/ac but could probably have got more and that was sheep / mowing only from March to December. If you do allow cattle, make sure there is a clause to get them off by end of Sept or so, depending on the soil. Depending on your BPS / tax plans, you may want to make sure you retain 'Active Farmer' status as well. That would mean you would need to be in charge of topping, hedge cutting, fences etc. But that may not matter to you.
 

GreenerGrass

Member
Location
Wilts
You could always sell it as a standing crop of hay, if you want to put your own stock on it in due course you may regret letting someone else’s animals potentially contaminate it with parasites. All depends on what your mid/longer term plans are...
 

chaffcutter

Moderator
Arable Farmer
Location
S. Staffs
Try and get sheep, as they will do less damage to the field than cattle if they are on it through a very wet spell

A local agent is your best bet, they may hold a spring auction of grass keep, around here can make up to £100/acre if it’s in good order.
 

OTR

Member
Location
Oxon
Thanks for the feedback.
The grass is in great condition; and the land has fencing all around, albeit it's barbed wire.
I'd love to keep some sheep, but being 1+ hour away from the land makes it harder to check on them everyday. Not until I move closer.
 

Pasty

Member
Location
Devon
You will struggle to keep sheep in with even 3 strands of barbed. You will need some stock net. If the posts are good, that could easily be put on though and wouldn't cost the earth.
 
I know of a local Shepard who has a lot of sheep dotted about. There are also a few good agents in our area.

PM me if you want any more Info, best of luck. You will got lots of good advice on here (y)
 

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