I'm Barbara Klein with the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.
To call something "marginal" means it is not very good.
Farmers have their own way to define marginal land: It is the last to be
planted under good conditions, and the first to be avoided under poor
conditions.
Low quality soil is not the only reason land could be considered
marginal. It might be in an area where rainfall is limited, or a hillside
might rise too steeply.
There are uses for marginal land, however. Most often it is used as
grassland. Grasses provide excellent feed for grazing animals like cattle,
sheep and goats.
Grass seed can be bought from a supplier. Or native grasses can be
used. But it is important to establish good ground cover to avoid soil loss
through erosion.
Forage crops like clover and alfalfa can be planted. These
members of the legume family
provide high protein food for grazing animals. They also improve the
quality of the soil.
Most plants use up nitrogen. But legumes put nitrogen back into the
soil. Forage crops also help limit erosion.
However, using marginal land for grazing is not a simple issue. There
is a risk of overgrazing.
Cattle can damage forage crops by eating down to the roots. Also, the
weight of the animals crushes the soil and can make it too hard for
growing.
A way to reduce the harm is to move animals from one field to another.
This method is known as rotational grazing. Experts say rotational grazing
is extremely important for marginal land.
Another use for marginal land is for tree crops. Studies have shown
that the white pine and loblolly
pine are two kinds of trees that grow well on such land.
They grow fast and provide good quality wood. Another tree is the poplar,
found in many parts of the world. Slower-growing trees like the black
walnut also provide a nut crop.
Trees support the soil. They reduce the effects of wind and rain. And
they help block the sun.
Failure to take the care needed to protect marginal lands can make a
bad situation worse. But good planning can turn a marginal resource into a
highly productive one.
This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written by Mario
Ritter. Our reports are online at www.voaspecialenglish.com. If
you have a question about agriculture, send it to special@voanews.com. We
might answer it on our program. I'm Barbara Klein. |