Poaching occurs when soil and vegetation on poorly drained or waterlogged sites are damaged by livestock. Gateways, walkways and feeding areas are all at high risk from poaching. The problem can be minimised by preventing livestock access to wet areas and siting areas of heavy 'traffic' e.g. feeders, at places where poaching is at low risk. Hardcore can be used to improve walkways, entrances and exits, but consideration also needs to be given to foot health.
Poaching as it applies to different sectors...
Poaching leading to surface waterlogging can occur when sheep graze aftermaths are in wet conditions. The damage is close to, or, at the surface of the soil and easily corrected by ploughing if conditions will allow, and not compromise cross compliance regulations.
Poaching is when soil and vegetation is damaged by livestock moving over poorly drained or waterlogged soils. It is mostly found at gateways, walkways and around feeding areas. The problem can be reduced by preventing access to wet areas and by thinking about the soil conditions when siting areas of heavy 'traffic'. Hardcore can be used to improve walkways, entrances and exits, but consideration needs to be given to foot health.
Maize is extremely susceptible to compaction with crops grown on compacted soils unable to develop a deep root structure. A yellow stunted crop with poor yields is evidence that compaction is likely to be a problem. Subsoiling is carried out as part of routine cultivations on some farms especially where continuous maize is grown on heavier soil types. Secondary cultivations should be carried out using the minimum number of passes possible to avoid re compacting the soil after subsoiling and ploughing. Compaction and soil pans also produce similar problems in grass although they are less visual. Poaching causes compaction at around 5-10cm (2-4") with plough pans and heavy machinery pans occurring at 10-15cm (4-6"). To identify compaction dig holes with a spade and examine the vertical profile of the soil for consolidation and poor root penetration.
Poaching of wet soils can be a significant problem faced by producers. Moving houses or feeding points, if possible, can reduce this. Other techniques may include fencing off oblique corners in radial pens so that the pigs cannot congregate in the corner.
Powerpoint presentations on soil management for soil structure -www.Environmentsensitivefarming.co.uk
Best Farming Practice (2003) - Environment Agency
www.publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/epage
A guide to better soil structure 2001 - NSRI www.silsoe.cranfield.ac.uk/nsri/pdfs/structure_brochure.pdf
Fact sheet on soil physical damage - Macaulay Land Institute www.macaulay.ac.uk/aweg/soilphysicaldamage.pdf
Action for Profit - EBLEX
http://www.eblex.org.uk/
Grass+ chapter 4 & 7 - MDC
Grazing management programme - MDC
http://www.mdc.org.uk/
British Grassland Society
SAC
Farming Connect
ELS
Netherfield centre - Grassland management 1 day course
IGER Grassland Development Farms
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