Story: Soils and regional land use

Dairying on peat soils

Dairying on peat soils

The first step in developing peat soils for pasture is to put in deep drains to lower the water table. This results in the peat decomposing and shrinking, and the land sinking, especially near the drains, forming a domed landscape. Sinkage is 14–33 millimetres per year, and can disrupt fences and buildings. The rate of sinking can be reduced by damming the drains in spring to manage the level of the water table.

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How to cite this page:

Allan Gillingham, 'Soils and regional land use - South Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17091/dairying-on-peat-soils (accessed 12 May 2024)

Story by Allan Gillingham, published 24 Nov 2008