Hi - Newbie here and to farming in general.

I have approx 4 acres of land on a 16 acre property that has been left to to its own thing for the past 5 years. The Setaria grass was 6 feet tall and I cut walking paths through it. Recently I have had neighbours horses chomping it down (with calcium supplements) and I have run a slasher over half of it.

I am wanting to fence off some paddocks for Alpaca, goats and some other small breeds.

I am concerned that the Hay and trampled down grass is so thick that it is stifling any regrowth - which is coming through very patchy.

Should I till the ground and grind it all in to decompose evenly, or rake it all up (with drag harrows or similar) to a pile and let it compost down (I am worried that will leave bare earth to dry out). Or should I just let it be and keep mowing it until it evens out?

The ground is clay and is on a flood plain so has lots of nutrients but is very heavy.

Photo attached. Any advice welcomed.

Thanks - I am sure I will be here lots!

David