Burcombe Estate Vinery paddock management
Notes from the field

Things worth knowing

Practical advice on paddocks, weeds, kit, and seasonal jobs — written from the seat of a tractor.

Featured
Flail collecting ragwort
·July 2026

Why We Flail Large Ragwort Before Spraying

When ragwort gets too big, spraying alone isn't always the best solution. Here's why we sometimes flail and collect the plants before applying herbicide, and why this approach delivers better long-term results for horse paddocks. Ragwort is one of the most dangerous weeds found in horse paddocks.…

Read the post →
Browse by topic53 posts
Tight space access

How to Control Bracken in Horse Paddocks and Grazing Land: Using Squire Ultra and Thrust

Bracken is one of the most stubborn and persistent weeds found on UK grazing land. Once established, it can quickly dominate paddocks, woodland edges, banks and rough grazing, reducing the amount of usable pasture and making fields increasingly difficult to manage. For horse paddocks in particular,…

Are Acorns Poisonous to Horses? Why Every Horse Owner Should Remove Acorns from Their Paddocks

Every autumn, thousands of horse owners across the UK face a hidden danger lurking in their fields. While colourful oak trees can make a paddock look picturesque, the acorns they produce can pose a serious health risk to horses. If your horse grazes in a field with oak trees nearby, understanding…

John Deere 2038R stone burying and seeding Burcombe estate vineyard

Finishing Vineyard Rows with a Sub-Compact Tractor and Stone Burier Seeder

Finishing off the rows at a vineyard near Salisbury with a sub-compact John Deere 2038R and a Winton stone burier seeder — rotavating, burying stones and seeding between the vines in a single pass.

When to Harrow Paddocks: Timing, Benefits, and Best Practices

Harrowing is one of the most effective and affordable pasture management practices available to livestock farmers. When carried out at the correct time, harrowing can improve pasture utilisation, distribute nutrients more evenly, reduce pasture waste, encourage healthy grass growth, and help…

Rotavating

Super Compacted Paddocks Are Stopping Your Grass Growing. Here’s How to Fix It.

One of the biggest hidden problems in horse paddocks and grazing land is soil compaction. On the surface a field may just look tired, patchy, or overgrazed, but underneath the grass there is often a much bigger issue developing. Years of machinery traffic, heavy horses, livestock pressure, and…

Flat fan vs Air inclusion nozzles for paddock spraying

For anyone involved in paddock management, spraying is never something to be taken lightly. Whether you are controlling ragwort, docks, nettles, buttercups or invasive weeds, you are applying chemicals into an environment where horses and livestock live, graze and feed. Done correctly, herbicide…

Buttercup spraying

Using Envy to Control Buttercups in Horse Paddocks

Buttercups might look harmless when they flower across a paddock in spring, but for horse owners they are often a warning sign that grazing quality is deteriorating. Heavy infestations of creeping buttercup and meadow buttercup can quickly outcompete productive grasses, reduce grazing value, and…

Paddock Management in Hampshire and surrounding counties

Paddock management and paddock maintenance are critical to keeping horses healthy, preserving pasture quality, and avoiding costly land degradation over time. A well managed paddock supports consistent grass growth, reduces weed pressure, improves drainage, and minimises the risk of injury or…

We're Now Licensed to Spray — Here's What That Means for Your Paddocks

We're pleased to share some news that we think will make a real difference for horse owners and landowners across Hampshire: Hampshire Paddock Management … Read More

What Height Should Your Paddock Grass Be in Winter

Paddock care doesn’t stop once the temperature drops. Grass growth may slow down in winter, but keeping pasture in the best condition means paying … Read More

Start Strong with Paddock Fertiliser Techniques

Introduction If you're managing a paddock in Hampshire, knowing when and how to spray fertiliser can make all the difference. Fertiliser spraying helps your … Read More

field maintenance

Recognise When Your Paddock Needs Professional Care

Introduction Maintaining a paddock takes more than just keeping the grass trimmed. Whether you're using it for livestock or simply want it to stay … Read More

All notes

Reading is fine. Doing is better.

If your paddock needs work and you’d rather someone else handled it, get in touch.

Get a quote →