Maintaining My Pastures and Hayfields
Here at the farm, the weather has been unseasonably warm with little to no wind - great conditions for working in my pastures and hayfields.
I am very fortunate to have several paddocks where my horses and donkeys can graze. I also designate three separate fields where I grow hay, so my herd has a steady and reliable supply. It is crucial that all these areas are well-maintained. This week, the fields were aerated and fed. Aeration is important, as it loosens compacted soil, increases oxygen into the soil, and allows for better water penetration. They were also fertilized and treated with agricultural lime. Agricultural lime is a soil additive made from pulverized limestone or chalk that works to correct the acidity of the soil, eradicate any noxious weeds, and raise the overall health of the land.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- Here is a wide view of one of my horse pastures. This day was perfect for aerating and treating – no wind, mild temperatures, and a beautiful blue sky.
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- My outdoor grouds crew foreman, Chhiring, uses my Land Pride tow-behind aerator. I am glad to be able to have all the farm equipment we need. The aerator is attached to the Kubota M4-071 tractor.
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- This type of aerator has spikes that make narrow slits in the ground instead of forming core plugs, but works in the same way to relieve soil compaction and allow air circulation in grassy surfaces.
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- Weights are placed on top of the aerator attachment to ensure even aeration over the surface and to maximize penetration into the soil.
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- Chhiring works counter clockwise, so he can best see the work he’s done and the areas he needs to go next. He also overlaps his passes, so he is certain he covers the entire space.
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- The aerator is led around the paddocks and pastures slowly, until the entire area is completed.
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- Here, one can see the slits left behind by the aerating spikes.
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- Here is a closer look at one of the slits. Aeration holes for pastures are typically two to four inches deep.
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- I am a big believer of aerating the fields. Compacted soils have too many solid particles in a certain volume or space, which prevents proper circulation of air, water, and nutrients. Aerating also improves drainage.
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- It only takes a few minutes to aerate a paddock. Chhiring gets all the pastures and hayfields done within a day.
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- After fertilizing, Chhiring then applies agricultural lime to all the pastures and fields. Lime consists mainly of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. The smaller the particle size the more effective the stone is at reacting in the soil. Lime comes in powder form and in a pelletized form such as this.
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- Here is the spreader, which is hitched to the back of the tractor. It moves the pulverized limestone and throws it about 30 feet out as it is driven through the field.
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- Our spreader features an opening system with split levers that allow distribution control.
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- In the back of the unit is the control for how much of the pelleted lime is released – it is important to lock this in place, so the lime is distributed properly. These are slinger blades that help to direct the lime as it is thrown.
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- The spreader is filled to the top with the lime.
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- And then Chhiring starts circling the fields again.
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- Chhiring goes slowly to ensure good coverage. He looks back often to check that the lime is running through the feeder correctly.
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- In addition to correcting the soil’s acidity levels, lime also improves the soil’s water absorption. It is quite dusty.
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- The lime is distributed evenly across the areas, but not much is needed. Agricultural lime should be spread in a thin layer, typically not exceeding 1/8 of an inch thick. The effectiveness of the lime comes from its surface contact with the soil, not its depth, so even distribution is more important than thickness.
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- This is one of three big hayfields, which is also aerated and treated with lime. My giant sycamore, the symbol of my farm and now bare of leaves, is in the distance. One of the best ways to care for one’s horses is to care for the land so it can provide healthy pastures and hay all year round.
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