article thumbnail

How Does Soil Compaction Impact Grazing Lands?

ATTRA

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then your pasture likely has soil compaction. But what is soil compaction and what are all the ways it can affect grazing lands? What is soil compaction? Soil compaction occurs when the density of the soil increases because of external or internal factors.

article thumbnail

The Season of Mud

ATTRA

The challenges associated with mud on livestock farms, particularly cattle and horse farms, need to be addressed because their health affects production goals. Let’s examine how mud affects cattle and horses, as they often create muddy conditions. Mud in the winter will result in soil compaction later.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Diagnosing Soil Compaction on Grazing Lands

ATTRA

By Justin Morris In an earlier blog , we discussed the causes of soil compaction, largely driven by overgrazing, which reduces rooting depth, root exudation, and soil aggregation. Now that we know the cause of soil compaction, how can we determine if soil compaction is present and the severity of it?

article thumbnail

The Causes of Soil Compaction on Grazing Lands

ATTRA

Fortunately, knowing how compaction forms and how extensive it is, are the keys to knowing how to eliminate it forever. Causes of Compaction There are generally two major causes of soil compaction on pastures: hoof impact and overgrazing. ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.