Grass is green but lots of different shades. Can you remember why grass is green? - well it is all to do with the red and blue parts of the light spectrum being absorbed by the grass and green being reflected.

And what does grass do with the absorbed light - well that’s also a bit complex and gets us into the chemistry of photosynthesis and porphyrin rings and the like - I loved learning all about it back in the day but do you know what… it all happens whether you can remember - even if you ever knew the formulae for glucose and where the electrons get mopped up, or not.

And aren’t we glad that the ‘waste product’ of photosynthesis is oxygen, which is so cool because that’s just what we need for mopping up electrons in another chemical cycle in our bodies?

My aim is not to baffle you with science but simply suggest that a lot of things happen without us being involved or even noticing. Even if for some of those things it would be good if we did notice.

Autumn light continues to change and reduce each afternoon. Along with that is a slowing of the grass growing and producing carbohydrates and sugars for our alpacas to eat. I think the green of the grass has changed but it is difficult to be exact. This is more obvious in the spring when it suddenly changes from sunny but no rain, or rain but no sun and the grass bounds into life and vibrant green.

There are many grass species and alpacas will prefer types that are to be found in some of the permanent ley mixes available from seedsman such as Cotswold Seeds

More watching and checking needed as we approach winter - if very wet, check feet. If very cold, check body condition scores. Get AD&E paste supplies in stock and think coats.

Stay well and go spend some time with an alpaca