Price of topping field

[Deborahm]

I just wondered if anyone knew what sort of price I should be paying a local ag contractor (just up the lane) to top a 4 acre field?

Any info appreciated.

 

[jrp204]

Best ask him? Prices will vary, we used to have a large ag. contracting business and would charge less to top/mow a large acreage than a small field. It depends on how accessable the field is, how stony it is and how much the contractor wants the work.
You then have to decide how much you want it done. We would charge between £10-15/acre.

 

[Deborahm]

Hmmmm. Well he helped himself to the field today (which is clay & no stones & is accessed through a gate on the lane) and says that'll be £100! Think I will be off to buy some second hand equipment sharp ish, as we've bought a small tractor and only have 4 acres...

 

[WelshD]

I've paid varying amounts for my three acres but it's always somewhere between £75-£110

Now we have sheep it's only needed once or twice a year thank goodness!

 

[Nicnac]

I pay around £100 for 5 acres - I think it's more 'a job' price rather than per acre nowadays as pay the same if I just have 2 acre winter field done (topped & harrowed) once a year. I do have a small tractor that I use to top and harrow with however the pro equipment does a much better job & it's much quicker.

 

[Honey08]

I think we paid about £120 for 8 acres (the acreage doesn't make too much diff - they spend the same on diesel getting there, the actual mowing didn't take too long..)

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Hmmmm. Well he helped himself to the field today (which is clay & no stones & is accessed through a gate on the lane) and says that'll be £100! Think I will be off to buy some second hand equipment sharp ish, as we've bought a small tractor and only have 4 acres...

If you get a smallish topper (say 6 footer, Fleming type make) new, it will be about £600ish, so make sure you dont overpay for a second hand one. The smaller/cheaper ones use shear bolts to protect the mechanism from stones so it is worth getting some spare bolts in so that if/when that happens you can just put a new bolt in and carry on, rather than having to trot off and source the bolt (they are pence to buy).

 

[Deborahm]

Thanks guys. Was just starting to wonder if I'd been taken for a mug! Really helpful to see that you pay about the same to your contractors.

 

[Polotash]

That does sound steep to me, but must depend where you are. I paid £40 for my mile of gallops to be done, and £60 for 8 acres last year (Hants).

 

[Twinkley Lights]

We pay about the same as most - polotash you are lucky.

 

[L&M]

I paid £40 for 3 acres topping this summer, but was a local farmer rather than a contractor.

 

[misst]

We paid £40 for 2 acres last summer. Local chap who did some adjoining fields for other people so only had to make one trip and charged £20 acre.