Re: [AlpacaTalk] Pasture Management

Hi,
Quick response to your mail - stocking density is best kept low to
maintain a healthy herd, especially clostridial infestation. The
normally recommended stocking density seems to be about 4 alpacas per
acre of pasture. Bear in mind though that this is quite a high stocking
density (in my opinion). We prefer to work with a lower stocking
density not only for the reasons of better health, but for psychological
wellbeing. Animals are much more relaxed. There's less competition for
grazing and less chance of cross infestation from dung piles.

We clean up around the main dung piles on a weekly basis; some do it
daily. We have a 6 acre pasure, and three smaller paddocks totalling
about 5 acres, so the task is to keep the feeding areas and heavily used
locations clean, otherwise the females dung randomly over the remainder
of grazing land, and the weather and time, does the rest.

Pasture management is an important part of the whole venture. As you
mentioned, resting pasture is vital. There are a number of tasks that
need to be considered: 'topping' (cutting the grass) in early spring
gets rid of overwintered growth that has little or no nutritional value,
then 'harrowing' (raking off) the area, airs the ground and allows seeds
to get into the ground, etc. These two tasks are usually carried out in
spring and then again mid summer to encourage new growth that is not
patchy. Good lush grass is important for females that have given birth
who will need the nutritious growth while feeding cria. Other tasks are
'dung spreading' (if you work organically and even if you don't), to
feed the ground naturally. Dung spreading is carried out in the late
spring/early summer weeks on pasture that is to be rested before stock
is put on it. Frost and rain breaks it down and the soil takes up the
nutrients and the grass says, 'yum'! Rotation of grazing is necessary to
ensure that you will have year round grazing for your animals and you
may want to rest one pasture for taking a cut of hay in the mid summer
months, to supply your winter and year round dry matter intake; vital
for alpacas year round.

It really depends on the land you have available, the number of alpacas
you have (or are intending to have). Sit down and plan your management
around these factors and especially taking into consideration the
birthing times of females. You will be able to make sure most bases are
covered.

I hope this helps. If you google 'pasture management', you will find a
wealth of information. It's worth checking out what horse pasture
management is like, as good practice. Good luck and Best Wishes

Amanda Poyner
Barton Alpacas
tomtmaine wrote:

>I was looking to see if there is a short list of key points that someone should keep in mind
>when thinking about their fields. In other words, how many alpacas per acre, how often you
>move the animals from one section to the next, waste management. Any thoughts
>appreciated!
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[AlpacaTalk] Pasture Management

I was looking to see if there is a short list of key points that someone should keep in mind
when thinking about their fields. In other words, how many alpacas per acre, how often you
move the animals from one section to the next, waste management. Any thoughts
appreciated!

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AlpacaTalk/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
AlpacaTalk-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/