Mud/Erosion Problem

[ncboy34]

Been looking at doing some work around my barn and watering troughs in the pasture. High use areas, as expected, get really muddy and soupy throughout the year, especially during wet times of the year. My thoughts are coming in with some fill dirt to build it back up and putting some crush and run gravel over this. I've also considered putting some filter cloth underneath the gravel to help with the drainage. What do yall have for your high use areas to keep down the mud problems? Would I absolutely need the filter cloth or would the dirt and gravel do the job? The mud just makes it so hard to work cows effectively. Any thoughts?

 

[Deepsouth]

Check with your NCRS agent. They have a program for heavy use pads for water tanks and feed troughs. Basically they use crushed limestone or concrete. Six inches deep and 10 feet out from the edge of the tank. It can be either in the ground or above ground. They use a non-woven ground cloth.
These pads work good, I'm about to put 3 in.

 

[Black and Good]

I do excavation type work. What I've found that works pretty well for this. Is to not smooth out,leave the deep hoofs impressions and order some very dry limestone screenings put it over it, and wheel it in real well. That limestone screening will go down to what is soild and the water will make it get hard. It will brigde over the slop and frim it up. I had a high traffic area that the cows used they almost sunk to their bellys walking though. I did this there and now I keep my bulls there and they don't sink at all. Hope this helps. B&G

 

[denvermartinfarms]

I do excavation type work. What I've found that works pretty well for this. Is to not smooth out,leave the deep hoofs impressions and order some very dry limestone screenings put it over it, and wheel it in real well. That limestone screening will go down to what is soild and the water will make it get hard. It will brigde over the slop and frim it up. I had a high traffic area that the cows used they almost sunk to their bellys walking though. I did this there and now I keep my bulls there and they don't sink at all. Hope this helps. B&G

+1.