GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Grassland is something more than an area for the animals to exercise; it is the most valuable source of cheap food there is. Do not destroy it through ‘over stocking’ (too many animals per hectare). Be aware that there is a limit to the capacity of any field or farm. Stocking rates differ according the type and quality of the grass, the positioning (eg lowland, well drained, mountainous), soil type, but it’s often quoted at four to six alpacas per acre. Less is more though, so it is best to aim for minimum rather than maximum stocking rates, especially when first beginning.

It is all too easy to start with a few breeding livestock, all of which are dearly loved, so none are sold and which multiply rapidly until they begin to ruin the grassland as a result of over stocking. Sometimes this can become a welfare issue in terms of competing for food.

Topping

Topping is cutting, at a height of 10cm to 15cm, of surplus grass and weeds in pasture. Alpacas do not do well on taller grasses and prefer lower, more leafy grasses.

The most delightful feature of grass, is that it thrives on being cut or grazed and immediately puts additional effort into growing more aggressively.

Grassland weeds such as docks, thistles and nettles can however, be seriously weakened by cutting when the seed heads are forming, which means that topping pastures can greatly assist their management, encouraging the grass whilst weakening the weeds.

It is important NOT to top poisonous weeds like Ragwort, because once dead, they will then be eaten by livestock whilst still poisonous. Ragwort is cumulative and although it rarely causes instant death it will cause damage leading to death over time. Most alpacas will not eat it if they have plenty of other grass, but it should not be in their grazing anyway especially as it spreads. It usually first arrives as a result of poor grazing management so the grass cannot compete but obviously seeds from road verges do not help.

Re-seeding

Establishing grass seeds successfully is one of the most difficult farming activities you can attempt. An intimate knowledge of the soil and how to cultivate it correctly, at the right time of year, together with an understanding and predicting of the weather are important factors in achieving a successful re-seed, which is more productive than the grass which was there before. The exercise is rarely worth the cost, the risk and the loss of production during the process. It is always better to try and improve the grass you have.

A pasture full of weeds can rarely be improved by re-seeding, because the soil will be full of weed seeds, all of which, being in their natural environment, will take advantage of the cultivations, to germinate and grow, swamping the carefully selected and sown grass, clover and herb seeds, which may be alien to that environment. If you are considering re seeding, shut off your paddock so it can rest and seek expert advice. Techniques like harrowing, rolling and eradicating weeds – you might need to spray – will encourage the grass to grow and you can try some extra grass seed in bad patches. You may need fertilizer but take advice, nitrogen is not usually the best one for damaged grassland, it needs longer lasting nutrients.

Weeds that damage fleeces

Clear thistles, brambles, conkers (these can cause digestive impactions if swallowed anyway), beech mast, cleavers, brambles and anything else which may invade your alpacas’ coats – time spent doing this will mean you have clean fleeces for processing, rather than spending hours picking out debris, or worse – just discarding their valuable fleeces. It will also further encourage grass growth.