Pasture Improvement: Trampling Effects

 

Excerpt from Publication 19, Pasture Production, Order this publication

Table of Contents

  1. Trampling Effects
  2. Other Pasture Improvement Recommendations
  3. Related Links

 

Trampling Effects

Livestock affect a pasture and its productivity in more ways than by just grazing. Animals walking or running across a pasture can cause damage. Trampling physically injures plants. It is easy to see the full effects of the damage on frequently travelled paths, near watering spots, mineral feeders or gateways. Some plant species such as alfalfa, red clover, and timothy are very susceptible to this type of damage, while bluegrasses, creeping red fescue, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass and white clovers are fairly resistant. The differences in tolerance to trampling can produce changes in the plant makeup of the pasture. The susceptible species die out and are replaced by the resistant species or new plants that germinate from seed in the ground. High stocking rates can depress yields because of trampling damage.

Table 3-4. Effect of Trampling Damage on Summer Dry Matter Yields Plants/m
Sheep per hectare
Perennial Ryegrass/m
Orchardgrass/m
Other grasses/m
0
840
110
270
40
800
40
120
80
760
30
120

Source: Edmond, D. The Influence of Animal Treading on Pasture Growth. Proceedings of the Xth International Congress, Helsinki, Finland, pp.453-45

Trampling damages pastures by causing soil compaction and puddling — where air or waterfilled pore spaces are replaced in the soil, restricting oxygen to plant’s roots. Tramping depresses fertilizer and water movement in the soil, nitrogen fixation is reduced and root growth is impeded. Plants on compacted soils develop more roots at shallower depths and become susceptible to dry weather. This type of trampling damage occurs when pastures on silt, clay, or soils with a high organic matter are grazed during wet conditions. Damage escalates as the size and number of animals grazing the pasture increases.

To keep trampling damage at a minimum follow these management practices.

  • Ensure a good level of soil fertility.
  • Use tolerant grasses and legumes on fields prone to trampling damage or for heavy traffic areas.
  • Improve field drainage where practical.
  • Use controlled grazing to encourage the development of a dense, healthy pasture.
  • Use one area as much as possible for grazing during wet periods. This limits the area exposed to trampling damage.

Much of the damage to soil from trampling is repaired by frost action and the activity of worms and other life forms in soil. If these are unable to overcome soil compaction and puddling, consider mechanically slitting the soil.

High stocking rates can lower yields because of trampling damage.

Related Links

... on forages and pastures, visit Forages and Pastures (OMAFRA)
... on weed control, order Publication 75 Guide to Weed Control: Forage Crops
... on agronomy for field crops, order Pub. 811 Agronomy Guide for Field Crops: Chapter 3 Forages
... on field crop protection, order Publication 812, Field Crop Protection Guide
... on livestock, visit Livestock (OMAFRA)

 


For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
Local: (519) 826-4047
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
Author: OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date: 01 February 2000
Last Reviewed: 15 July 2004