Agricultural Contracting
Grassland Care in Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire
The Hampshire Shepherd offers agricultural contracting for horse owners and smallholders across Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire, from paddock topping and harrowing to hedge cutting and hay making.
Grassland Care for Equine & Smallholdings
Another cornerstone of our business is agricultural contracting, focused mainly around grassland maintenance for the equine and smallholding markets.
Your soil is the living heartbeat of your land and as such needs to be nourished and cared for to keep it healthy and your grass in the best condition possible. We can help you with all of your land management and maintenance needs.
Your soil is the living heartbeat of your land and as such needs to be nourished and cared for to keep it healthy and your grass in the best condition possible. We can help you with all of your land management and maintenance needs.
Our Contracting Services
Topping (Rotary & Flail)
Regular topping keeps paddocks and grazing in good condition, cutting back weeds such as docks, nettles and thistles before they set seed and encouraging fresh, even grass growth. We offer both rotary and flail topping, so we can match the machine to the job, from a tidy paddock cut to rough, overgrown ground.
Fertilising
Healthy grass starts with healthy soil. We spread fertiliser to give your grassland the nutrients it needs, including organic options such as farmyard manure and seaweed-based soil conditioners that feed the soil as well as the grass.
Rolling
Spring rolling firms up the ground after winter, levelling hoof poaching and molehills and pressing loosened roots back into contact with the soil. It leaves paddocks safer underfoot for horses and gives a better finish for topping and hay cutting.
Harrowing
Harrowing pulls out dead grass and moss, spreads droppings and molehills, and opens up the sward so air, water and light can reach the roots. Done in spring or autumn, it is one of the simplest ways to revive tired grazing.
Re-seeding
Where paddocks have become bare, poached or overrun with weeds, re-seeding or overseeding brings them back to life. We prepare the ground and sow a suitable grass mix, whether your fields are for horses, sheep or hay.
Hedge Cutting
Well-kept hedges make better boundaries, give shelter to livestock and provide a home for wildlife. We cut hedges outside the bird nesting season to keep them tidy, stock-proof and healthy year after year.
Muck Heap Removal
Muck heaps build up quickly on any yard or smallholding. We clear and remove your muck heap so your yard stays tidy, with fewer smells, flies and run-off to worry about.
Cultivating
Whether you are preparing ground for re-seeding, a new paddock or a growing area, we cultivate the soil to create a fine, even seedbed that is ready for sowing.
Fencing
Good fencing keeps stock safe and makes grazing far easier to manage. We install new fencing and repair existing boundaries for horses, sheep and other livestock, including electric fencing for flexible grazing.
Hay Making
Turn your spare grass into winter forage. We make hay from your fields, giving you good-quality hay for your own animals or to sell on.
Get a Free, No-Pressure Quote
Simply drop us an email to discuss what we can do to help you, and get a free, no-pressure quote.
