4. Discussion

Degradation of freshwater resources with nutrients and sediment as a result of agricultural practices is a key global challenge (Novotny, 1999; Schulte et al., 2009; EEA 2018; EPA 2020). Direct cattle access to streams also represents a point source of nutrients, sediment and pathogens (Godwin and Miner, 1996; Belsky et al., 1999; Davies‐Colley et al., 2004; Conroy et al., 2016a; Bragina et al., 2017, Rice et al., 2021). In this study the efficacy of fencing as a means of reducing in-stream sediment deposition and improving stream ecological quality in both the short and longer term has been demonstrated.