Contour bunding, or contour farming, or contour ploughing is the farming practice of ploughing and planting across a slope following the elevation contour lines. These planting lines create a water break which reduces the formation of rills and gullies during times of heavy water run-off. The water break also allows more time for the water to settle into the soil. The technique results in furrows that curve around the land. This method is known for preventing tillage erosion, which is a major cause of soil erosion.
Soil erosion prevention practices such as contour farming can drastically decrease negative effects associated with soil erosion such as reduced crop productivity, worsened water quality, lower effective reservoir water levels, flooding, and gully formation. Contour farming is considered an active form of sustainable agriculture. Contour farming has been practiced since prehistoric times.
From the view point on the road please inspect the paddock and answer the following questions. Send your answers to the cache owner by email or message.
- Estimate the slope of the hill? Why is this hill contoured compared to the slope on the other side of the road?
- Estimate the height of the bunds? How many bunds are there? Why is there not more bunds?