Current Prices for Grass/Grass Keep

[mjda]

Hello,
I'm looking for some help/input on current rates for grass/grass keep.

We have been making hay/keeping sheep on owned ground on the Kent/East Sussex border for a number years.

In recent times we have let the ground for sheep grazing and when it suited sold off the grass.

Typically easy blocks of 10 or so acres in the same vicinity but not adjoining.

We are looking to make an arrangement this year (only) with trusted neighbours for hay and sheep keep (all done under proper agreements) and want to strike a fair commercial price with them.

We do not want to screw them/they do not want to screw us.

Given current weather/lack of growth, current hay prices etc. etc. we want to get an idea of where prices are currently at.

Hay will be going for equestrian use.

I do not want to kick of a rambling discussion on all the variables of access/what makes good hay etc. etc. I and my neighbours know all of this already.

Question one:

Sheep Grazing - how much per head per week? Grazier has to bring water and look at the sheep, fields well fenced.

Question two:

Mowing Grass - how much per acre? or how much per 4ft round bale? (neighbours are trusted to not make super dense bales!)


Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[beefandsleep]

In the region of £150/acre in either circumstance without SFP.
That is mid/north Staffs but obviously your asking for information that is highly specific to location. That’s a lot I know but you simply won’t get any significant amount of ground unless you go there.

 

[Woolless]

@Formatted is in that area IIRC

 

[Woolless]

And so is @Frank-the-Wool

 

[Formatted]

Question one:

Sheep Grazing - how much per head per week? Grazier has to bring water and look at the sheep, fields well fenced.

£10-20 an acre, if not free.

Question two:

Mowing Grass - how much per acre? or how much per 4ft round bale? (neighbours are trusted to not make super dense bales!)

£40-50 an acre? How good is it actually and what other benefits do your neighbours bring by cutting it?

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

Hello,
I'm looking for some help/input on current rates for grass/grass keep.

We have been making hay/keeping sheep on owned ground on the Kent/East Sussex border for a number years.

In recent times we have let the ground for sheep grazing and when it suited sold off the grass.

Typically easy blocks of 10 or so acres in the same vicinity but not adjoining.

We are looking to make an arrangement this year (only) with trusted neighbours for hay and sheep keep (all done under proper agreements) and want to strike a fair commercial price with them.

We do not want to screw them/they do not want to screw us.

Given current weather/lack of growth, current hay prices etc. etc. we want to get an idea of where prices are currently at.

Hay will be going for equestrian use.

I do not want to kick of a rambling discussion on all the variables of access/what makes good hay etc. etc. I and my neighbours know all of this already.

Question one:

Sheep Grazing - how much per head per week? Grazier has to bring water and look at the sheep, fields well fenced.

Question two:

Mowing Grass - how much per acre? or how much per 4ft round bale? (neighbours are trusted to not make super dense bales!)


Thanks in advance for your input.

This is always "how long is a piece of string!"

Summer grazing for sheep in this area is free or you might get a lamb for your freezer unless you are doing the lookering. Loads of small paddocks looking for someone to keep tidy.

Mowing grass, I have just paid £25 an acre for around a 70 acre block and I graze the aftermath until the end of September. Reasonable grass but small fields. Probably get around 7 bales to the acre so £3.50. We hope to put in big squares if the weather plays ball as much easier and cheaper to haul.

Winter grazing has a value!

 

[Formatted]

Mowing grass, I have just paid £25 an acre for around a 70 acre block and I graze the aftermath until the end of September.

I've just been offered 40 acres for free if we look after the hedges in the Autumn but we need to keep this quiet or else the Welsh will all move down here.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

I've just been offered 40 acres for free if we look after the hedges in the Autumn but we need to keep this quiet or else the Welsh will all move down here.

Seems it's all about location ,but then if you make a business of selling grass as a crop you need to make it atratrative to the buyer

 

[Chae1]

In the region of £150/acre in either circumstance without SFP.
That is mid/north Staffs but obviously your asking for information that is highly specific to location. That’s a lot I know but you simply won’t get any significant amount of ground unless you go there.

Same in our part of Aberdeenshire

 

[Coximus]

In yorkshire I get that above at £40 acre for 9 months,

Previous years have paid £5 cut bale and sheep grazing the aftermath for free.

any more and a sensible farmer would just buy in the feed to fatten their lambs on their own ground, plus the benefit of the muck on their own ground imroving it.

 

[mjda]

Thanks for everyones input and comments.

Clearly huge regional and local variability.