Sacrifice paddocks

A sacrifice paddock is an area deliberately selected for livestock use when other fields are too wet or vulnerable to grazing. Find out when and how to use them.

The purpose of sacrifice paddocks is to concentrate unavoidable damage in a planned area rather than allow it to spread across productive grassland.

They can be useful during prolonged wet weather when housing is limited and when normal grazing is impractical, as well as when livestock need access to an outdoor area.

However, it is not automatically the best option.

Where suitable housing, a stand-off pad or a better-drained grazing field is available, these may reduce soil damage and environmental risk.

Consider using one when:

• Prolonged rainfall has made parts of the grazing platform too wet to carry livestock
• You need to protect high-value grassland for future rotations
• Livestock require outdoor access but cannot safely graze the main grazing area
• A field is already earmarked for reseeding or renovation and can be managed accordingly
• You have a realistic plan to restore the paddock after the wet period

Don’t wait until all fields are severely poached before identifying a suitable area – select and prepare a contingency paddock in advance.

Choose an area with good drainage and suitable access that is a manageable distance from water, feed and handling facilities. Consider its slope, soil type, proximity to watercourses and the risk of run-off.

Avoid sites where concentrated livestock activity could cause pollution, including areas beside streams, ditches, drains or drinking-water sources.

A field that is convenient to access may not be suitable if it creates a high environmental risk.

Before use:

• Assess soil condition and drainage
• Plan water provision and feeding arrangements
• Establish a clear boundary and safe access
• Calculate the area needed for the number and type of animals
• Decide how manure, damaged sward and compacted soil will be managed afterwards

Control stocking density and the duration as far as possible.

Where practical, move feeders and water points to avoid concentrating all traffic in one location and maintain safe access to feed and water.

Monitor the surface frequently. If the area becomes heavily poached, standing water develops or run-off is carrying soil or manure, reassess the system and move livestock if possible.

Where possible, move livestock when severe poaching creates a risk of pollution, including where hoof prints are deeper than approximately 50 mm or brown water run-off is visible. These are warning signs, not a target level of damage to reach before acting.

Once livestock have been removed, assess the extent of the damage before deciding on remedial action:

• Allow the soil to dry sufficiently before driving machinery onto it to avoid further compaction
• Check soil structure and compaction
• Consider whether targeted reseeding or other intervention is needed
• Address drainage, gateways and feeding areas that caused repeated damage
• Review the paddock's suitability for future use during wet periods

A sacrifice paddock is a contingency, not a substitute for a wet-weather grazing plan.

Its value depends on preventing wider damage while keeping livestock healthy and minimising pollution.