Land reclamation advice needed

merryberry

Hi everyone. I’m looking for some advice on how to go about reclaiming c.8 acres of land. In the past, the land was used as lightly stocked rough grazing but it has been lying idle for some time now and it has become over grown with willow and birch. As a consequence, DAFM have it now described as non usable on the SPS. I want to bring it back into production. I dug some holes to see what’s going on under the ground. The land is dry on the surface but the water table is about 3 feet below the surface. The soil is black fen with marl about 4 feet down. I would imagine that it wouldn't take much to tear up the surface once surface vegetation is removed and the land is stocked. I want to put in subsurface drains as there is a main 8 foot deep drain into which the subsurface lateral drains could be directed. What sort of costs per meter are involved with sub surface drains and how far apart should they be spaced? I've tried to upload photos but with no success even though the photos are under the 4MB limit.

dharn

600 meters of shoring plus cleaning up existing drains cost me 4500 , this was in 7 acres boggy ground no clearing of bushes etc needed

just do it

merryberry wrote: »

Hi everyone. I’m looking for some advice on how to go about reclaiming c.8 acres of land. In the past, the land was used as lightly stocked rough grazing but it has been lying idle for some time now and it has become over grown with willow and birch. As a consequence, DAFM have it now described as non usable on the SPS. I want to bring it back into production. I dug some holes to see what’s going on under the ground. The land is dry on the surface but the water table is about 3 feet below the surface. The soil is black fen with marl about 4 feet down. I would imagine that it wouldn't take much to tear up the surface once surface vegetation is removed and the land is stocked. I want to put in subsurface drains as there is a main 8 foot deep drain into which the subsurface lateral drains could be directed. What sort of costs per meter are involved with sub surface drains and how far apart should they be spaced? I've tried to upload photos but with no success even though the photos are under the 4MB limit.

Does it need the drainage? From what you're saying I'd just clear it off and reseed it. Then rotational graze light stock on it. That would make it SPS eligible again and after a year or two you'll know the spots that need drainage.

merryberry

just do it wrote: »

Does it need the drainage? From what you're saying I'd just clear it off and reseed it. Then rotational graze light stock on it. That would make it SPS eligible again and after a year or two you'll know the spots that need drainage.

Thanks just do it. I would think that drainage would be needed to extend the grazing season on it although you and dharn have made me think. What I haven't mentioned was that I'm all tillage...I would find some use for this land (summer grazing/ hay) but is it worth spending that much money on it??? It is a bit questionable.

mf240

Could you grow some willow or fire wood in it?

merryberry

mf240 wrote: »

Could you grow some willow or fire wood in it?

Fair point. I would be worried that willow harvesting machinery might tear the place up plus is there a market near me for it. Fire wood is an option.