Sacrifice Paddocks

A sacrifice paddock is one way people choose to manage their cows and pasture when there are no purpose built stand-off facilities, or where off-farm grazing is not an option.

A sacrifice paddock can take the pressure off the rest of the farm by allowing grass cover to build up while vulnerable soils are wet. The regrowth of a small area of pasture can be sacrificed to enhance the regrowth on the rest of the farm.

However, you need to do this in a way that is not risking the environment. Some farmers use sacrifice paddocks when it is dry in autumn. By feeding supplements on a sacrifice paddock it allows future paddocks in the round to build up pasture covers.

What risks do they present?

Soil structure can be damaged due to compaction leading to impaired drainage properties.
There is also the potential for sediment and effluent run-off to enter waterways from disturbed soil. Environment Waikato does not have any rules specifically on the use of sacrifice paddocks. However, the rules state that no effluent should be discharged into waterways.
The often muddy and wet conditions in sacrifice paddocks can increase the risk of mastitis and lameness if animals are not well managed.
There is a chance that cows may not get their daily feed requirements while on the sacrifice paddock.

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