Management of agricultural buffer zones is more time consuming compared to fieldwork. Although the same machines can be used, working on narrow, curving slopes is slower than driving straight lines. The time spent on two management practises, mowing and baling, and harvesting with a field chopper, was studied and compared to the field working time. Harvesting buffer zones with a field chopper takes twice as much time per hectare compared to field harvesting. The driving speed is slower, turning times are greater, and the actual working width is less, because on a curving and possibly craggy surface it is difficult to maintain an even working width. Similarly, mowing is also somewhat slower in buffer zones. As for baling, there is little difference between the two times. The working width is smaller because of the mowing width, but the harvested mass and, thus, the number of bales is smaller in buffer zones compared to silage making. Wrapping and dropping the bales takes less time. The greater yield in fieldwork also slows down the driving speed, and, therefore, there is little difference in driving speed compared to buffer zones. The time used for preparation and transitions between the fields is very important in small tasks. The time taken to mow and bale four buffer zone strips was calculated as an example, and preparations and transitions comprised 37% of the total working time. To arrange the management of buffer zones efficiently and cost effectively, co-operation between local farmers would be advantageous, either working on one's own or hiring a contractor.