Full Circle Farming: Homegrown Organic Hay and Natural Alpaca Fertiliser
Sustainable farming is at the heart of everything we do at Grainmarket Alpacas. From the pasture our alpacas graze to the hay that feeds them through the winter, we aim to create a farming system that works naturally with the land.
By growing our own organic hay and returning alpaca manure to the soil as a natural fertiliser, we have created a simple, regenerative cycle that helps keep our land healthy and our herd thriving.
Homegrown Organic Hay
Our hay is grown here on the farm, giving us complete control over its quality, nutrition and environmental impact. Our fields are managed organically without pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilisers, helping to protect soil biodiversity while providing our alpacas with clean, natural forage.
Growing and baling our own hay also gives us complete traceability. We know exactly where every bale has come from and how it has been produced, while the variety of grasses within our fields provides nutritious forage for the herd.
Natural Alpaca Fertiliser
Alpaca manure is sometimes known as ‘black gold’ thanks to its value as a natural fertiliser. Rich in nutrients including nitrogen and potassium, it can help support healthy plant growth while improving the soil beneath it.
It is naturally low in odour and breaks down quickly, helping to feed soil microbes and improve soil structure. This makes alpaca manure useful for everything from vegetable beds and allotments to flower borders and larger growing areas.
Closing the Sustainable Loop
The hay grown on our land feeds our alpacas. Their manure is then composted and returned to the fields, helping nourish the grass that will become a future season’s hay.
This closed-loop approach helps build long-term soil fertility, improve moisture retention and reduce our reliance on external inputs. Most importantly, it allows us to continually put nutrients back into the land rather than simply taking from it.
Supporting Regenerative Farming
As British agriculture moves towards more sustainable and regenerative practices, we believe smaller farms have an important part to play. Healthy soils, greater biodiversity and reduced reliance on synthetic fertilisers can all contribute towards more resilient farming systems.
By feeding the soil that feeds our herd, we are creating a cycle that supports our alpacas, protects our land and helps it remain productive for generations to come.