Good base for a cow lot besides concrete

Question

Concrete is not really affordable right now. I know in the long run it will be and will be better, but I need a short-term solution that's affordable now to get me to concrete. What is a good base to use to solidify the cow lot and not have a mud hole?

Answer

Big time cattle producer from SW Oklahoma. I know systems are different in MN, but we shy away from concrete whenever possible. Concrete is unnatural to cattle, and is often too hard on old feet and fairly slippery when wet, even with a rough surface. We are obviously much dryer than you are, so most of our lot bases are the native red dirt we have. Many sale barns locally use ground up asphalt millings, as they tend to set up over time as a solid base, but still have some “cushion” and offer plenty of traction. All of that was just my opinion and what works here. Things are obviously different around the country, I completely understand

Answer

Feedlots here in Western Nebraska use hard pan for their pens.

Answer

We have been using stone pads.  Put a layer geo etc fabric and then 12” of stone.  They hold up pretty good for us we feed on them all winter.  This past winter we just put corn stalk bales out and fed on them and it held up really well also.  In southern Ohio.

Answer

Last summer I was picking up concrete fence line bunks from a precast operation here in wc iowa. I knew not every slat that gets cast comes out perfect so I asked him if he had any seconds or damaged slats and what he wanted for them. Couple days later I got a whole semi load of slats that had some kind of imperfection for $10 a 4x10 slat. With a little grading with the skid loader I have a concrete feed slab in most of my feed areas. If they are set solid they can be cleaned off with a midsize skid loader without damage. Some were pretty poor but most just have a crack or voids and make for a solid, but drainable base.

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We like using lime builds a good base and helps with foot rot

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I know what you mean!! I deal with the same situation trying to carry a new born calf in and you loose a boot with the cow hot on your heels lol not fun!!! I have been pondering the idea of trying used wood mats that are used for pipelines and construction sites try laying them out in the high traveled area’s anyway

Answer

Get out some clay and then get crushed concrete for top layer. Give it a good pack it’ll take 50 years to dig it all out if you take tome to slope it right

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Good base for a cow lot besides concrete

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