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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.

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The Season of Mud

ATTRA

Our pastures are devastated by livestock feeding areas, hooves, gate ruts, excessive rain, snow melt, and lack of vegetative cover during the non-growing season. We are too aware of the cost of pasture forage restoration, truck fenders, and loss of man hours, but there is also a cost to the health and welfare of our livestock.

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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?

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The Causes of Soil Compaction on Grazing Lands

ATTRA

By Justin Morris In an earlier blog , we discussed what compaction is and how it negatively affects plants, soils, livestock, and even economics. But how is that compaction formed in the first place and what can be done to prevent it? Roots are essential for healthy soil structure to be maintained. Coincidence?