Equine, Paddock Maintenance and Estate Management
At Midland Services we offer a wide variety of paddock and ground maintenance services for the equine, large estates and small holdings’ Our services include topping, harrowing and rolling, over seeding, weed spraying and fertiliser spreading. We use specialist seeds for all our seeding projects include some we have had produced by Germinal Seeds specifically for our requirements, i.e. specialists seed to reduce the chances of contracting Laminitis.
All our equipment and machinery is compact in design and size thus providing a low impact on the soil and allowing us access to areas that larger machinery can’t reach.
PADDOCK ROLLING
Rolling grassed areas helps remove hoof marks, flattens out uneven poached areas and helps to thicken the sward.
Rolled soils create a better seedbed for germinating seeds and prevent seeds from washing out of the soil.
HEDGE CUTTING
Hedge cutting is carried out from the 1st September to the end of February as per Department of Agriculture requirements. Less vigorous trimming can be done during the summer months but always done respecting the birds and wildlife that inhabit and breed in the hedges during this important time.
EQUESTRIAN & AGRICULTURAL FENCING
Stock fencing is an important part of animal welfare. Traditional post and rail fencing is attractive and suits many equine properties but we can also supply horse mesh and other fencing options. In addition to the traditional timber options eco-friendly recycled plastic fencing posts and rails can be supplied. Recycled plastic mud matts for preventing damage and poaching of paddocks and gate areas are becoming very popular and these can also be supplied or supplied and installed.
PASTURE & GRASSLAND FERTILISING
Fertiliser spreading is normally carried out in the spring to help start the grass growing. We use Suregrow for all equine paddocks and a variety of other fertilisers for other livestock areas.
SOIL AERATION
Poor soil aeration affects the availability of some nutrients and elements to plant roots. Often over looked but very important. Soil aeration helps relieve compaction, increases root development and helps drainage.
GRASS HARROWING
Spring tine harrows are used to remove thatch, weeds and debris from pasture. Harrowing removes dead thatch lifts vegetation up and levels any mole hills. Its job is to allow air movement and root aeration which helps the soil to breathe and improves water infiltration.
OVER SEEDING
Over seeding can be a very useful, low cost way of improving ex sting equine pasture, which may have become thin and tired with age or damaged through over-grazing and late August to mid September is a good time to over seed, when the existing grass is slowing down
PASTURE SPRAYING
Keeping weeds at bay by spraying the correct selective herbicide applicable to the problem is an important aspect of grassland maintenance. Spraying must be done when plants are growing vigorously before flowering and before they become a major problem. Spring is the ideal time to spray off new weeds be ore they get established but all year spraying is done to deal with specific clients needs.
PASTURE TOPPING
The main goal of topping is to induce growth and nutritional quality. By cutting off reproductive pasture, grass growth will be encouraged and pasture quality will improve through the production of a vegetative sward. We use a variety of mowers depending on the requirements.
