Agricultural Services
We provide a variety of services to the agricultural and equestrian sector which will aid with the maintenance of paddocks and fields alike whether this is to improve the visual appearance of the area or to promote a healthy crop for effective grazing of stock. For horse and livestock owners we recognise that helping you with careful management of grassland can pay dividends through improved animal health and by reducing feed costs.
We can provide the following Agricultural Services
We offer our Agricultural Services throughout Furness and South Cumbria. If you have any requirements for support in these areas, please feel free to contact us so that we can discuss them in more detail.
Chain Harrowing
Chain Harrowing removes dead grass and shallow rooted weeds, aerates the soil and allows both air and light to penetrate the grass cover all of which encourages healthy growth. Harrowing also helps level uneven ground, particularly poached areas which are usually found around gateways, in corners and feeding areas after winter grazing.
Chain harrowing is usually carried out in spring.
Rolling
Rolling is usually carried out at around the same time as Chain Harrowing and helps to further level out unevenness caused by poaching. Rolling also helps firm up the ground reducing further hoof / foot damage and crushes the grass crowns to encourage the spreading of the plant and further promote spring growth. Rolling is particularly important for paddocks or fields where the grass is going to be mown later in the season.
Fertiliser Application
We can accurately apply a variety of different fertiliser types at varying application rates dependent on the condition and needs of the paddock or field at the time. Ideally, the needs should be identified via soil analysis, but we are more than happy to apply materials at rates defined by the customer.
Topping
Topping helps achieve fresh and nutritious pasture as it removes any stalky, unpalatable grass and allows fresh new grass to spread. Topping should be done throughout the growing season to maintain the grass length at between 2 and 3 inches (5 and 7.5 cm) which is an ideal length for effective grazing. Topping is also an effective method of reducing the spread of weeds.
Aerating
Aerating relieves compaction, provides better drainage of water into the soil structure and improves grass production; the aerator perforates the top 100 mm of the soil structure allowing water, air and nutrients to the roots, the process also tears existing root structures to generate new growth, alleviates compaction and improves water drainage.
The best times to aerate are early in the season, prior to grass starting to grow and after the last silage cut of the year.
Muck Spreading
Application of muck will promote grass growth. For horse owners it can also reap other benefits; it could alleviate the need for muck heap removal and save on the costs of artificial fertiliser.
Other Services
We are always keen to expand the services on offer so please feel free to contact us should you have any requirements which are not listed above. Please also note that we can offer Lime Spreading and Spraying capability through approved sub-contractors.