THE PUGGING OF GRASSLANDS

Abstract

PUGGING occurs on grassland when the hooves of grazing animals penetrate the soil surface in wet conditions and cause damage to the sward. The productivity of pastures can be affected as follows: (1) Herbage is wasted because it is pressed into the mud or otherwise rendered unpalatable. (2) Surface campaction reduces infiltration and results in surface ponding. (3) Pasture recovery from wet weather use is delayed and many productive plants will be replaced with weeds and poorer species. (4) In extreme conditions animal health will be affected and young lambs may drown in the mud.