Benefits of reducing erosion
- Keeping topsoil in paddocks is beneficial for grass growth and milk production.
- Water quality is improved by reducing the amount of sediments entering waterways.
- Erosion-control trees such as hybrid willows and poplars provide shade and shelter for stock.
Click through the sliders below for information about how to avoid or minimise erosion.
-
Sheet, rill and gully erosion
(movement of soil overland in sheets or channels) -
Where does this occur?
- Any sloping surface where the soil is exposed.
- Sheet erosion will often remain relatively unseen.
- Gully erosion is usually very active and visible but can also start as tunnels under the surface.
-
- Exclude stock from erosion prone areas.
- Use cut-offs on races to direct water into paddocks.
- Avoid overgrazing.
- Select cropping paddocks carefully, limiting cropping on steep slopes and critical source areas.
- Plant erosion control species.
- Maintain good pasture cover over winter.
-
Mass movement
(earthflow, slips and slumps) -
Where does this occur?
- Usually on steep land.
- Can also occur in moderate to gently sloping areas.
-
- Plant erosion control trees such as hybrid willow species or poplars.
- Use lighter stock classes or lower stocking rates to reduce pressure on steep land.
- In severe cases, retire land from grazing and change land use to plantation forestry or native forest.
- Surface water controls may be required to divert water from critical areas. Call your regional council for more information.
-
Streambank erosion
-
Where does this occur?
- Streambanks, particularly:
- in flood plains.
- on the outside of bends.
- in areas prone to high flows or floods.
-
For actions to avoid or minimise erosion visit the Waterways Erosion section
-
Wind erosion
-
Where does this occur?
- All land where there is exposed soil and dry windy conditions.
- Particularly problematic with loess soil on the Canterbury plains.
-
- Place shelter belts at right angles to prevailing winds. Aim to block about 50% of the wind to prevent wind eddying or funnelling on the downward side of the shelter.
- Use minimum or no tillage cultivation practices to retain topsoil.
- Avoid cultivating crops during dry weather or strong winds to minimise soil loss.
- Do not over cultivate soils. This will leave them more vulnerable to wind erosion.