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How Does Soil Compaction Impact Grazing Lands?

ATTRA

By Justin Morris Has your pasture been plagued by poor plant growth? Does water pond on the surface of your pasture either during or right after a rain or irrigation event? Or does water run off your pasture to the point that it leaves behind ugly scars of erosion or floods out other areas that are lower in the landscape?

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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

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.

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The Anatomy of a Pasture Walk

Wisconsin Farmers Union

What’s in a Pasture Walk? If you’ve been to one pasture walk or field day, you’ve almost certainly been to more because field days are like potato chips – once you try them, you can’t stop. However, getting to a field day or pasture walk can be tough with so many competing priorities in life. They’re incredibly valuable.

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Breaking Down Soil Compaction: Does It Increase Forage Production?

Caff

Maintaining a healthy and vigorous pasture should be a major objective of grazing management, but it should also be used as a tool for maintaining acceptable soil physical conditions. The post Breaking Down Soil Compaction: Does It Increase Forage Production? appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.

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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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Building Resilience Through the Conservation Stewardship Program

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Practice, CSP, FY2021 CSAF Category Practice Name Enhancement Name Code Financial Assistance Total Percentage of Total CSP Payments Nitrogen Management Nutrient Management 590 $3,369,356 $66,725,833 13.23% Improving nutrient uptake efficiency and reducing risk of nutrient losses E590A $38,293,260 Reduce risks (..)