Flail mower used for paddock topping

scientist

Weeds can be your friends! They bring minerals from lower in the soil strata to the surface. When you top your weeds, these minerals are returned to the upper strata of the soil, which makes them available for pasture growth. When the weed dies, the deep root structure rots away providing natural aeration of the soil.

Paddock topping

Grass has three stages of growth: the Vegetative stage, the Elongation Stage, and the Reproductive stage.

Diagram showing the 3 stages of growth of grass

Diagram reproduced courtesy of Jane Myers - "Managing Horses on Small Properties"

In managing your pasture the aim is to keep grass in stage 2 (Elongation) for as long as possible. This can be done through grazing and paddock topping.

Paddock topping allows you to manage weed growth before it turns to seed and helps to revitalise your soil by returning organic matter to the soil.

Faster Pasture uses a commercial grade flail mower, which reduces the clippings to small pieces, reducing the risk of fermentation affecting animals and increasing the rate of decomposition and return of organic matter to the soil.