Here's to a new year and no mud
- B.J. Yoder: Young Money
- January 5, 2024
- 436
It’s time to make New Year’s resolutions, and one could be to figure out a solution in the battle with mud.
Dealing with mud in the winter months can be a significant challenge for livestock managers. Mud creates logistical, management and animal well-being difficulties and can make even a simple task such as feeding a time-consuming and miserable endeavor. There are several effective ways to beat the mud and mitigate its impact on livestock.
Identifying drainage patterns, where water is naturally traveling, and ponding is the first step in the process. Excess water should be directed away from high-traffic areas as a way of prevention. Installing ditches, diversions or French drains to convey the water to a less traveled area is a large step in the right direction. Installing perforated drainage tile in key areas also will help lessen the amount of water. Functioning gutters and adequate outlets is one often overlooked practice that will pay off great dividends. Roofs catch a lot of stormwater, and directing the water through an underground pipe to a suitable outlet is another great way to help prevent problems before they begin.
Animals spend most of their time at their feeding and watering area, so how about a gravel or concrete heavy-use pad around these areas? Ensuring this area is in the correct location and has sufficient infrastructure is the second key step in fighting mud. It needs to be in a well-drained area and away from drainage ways or bodies of water. Making sure water won’t be ponding on the surface will help with its integrity, but we also want to make sure contaminated water isn’t running off into a drainage area or nearby stream.
Ideally, there would be wind protection around the site as well, but that may not be possible in all locations. Locating the best location for a heavy-use pad may mean moving away from the typical feeding area and finding a different location.
Infrastructure for a heavy-use pad could look very different. One option is a concrete pad with a roof over it. The concrete allows for easy cleanout, and the roof limits the potential for contaminated runoff water leaving the pad. The other end of the spectrum could be an unroofed gravel pad. Well-compacted, quality stone keeps the mud at bay and gives the animals a clean, dry place to feed. Both options can work well. Picking which scenario works best for your farm depends on a variety of factors.
Heavy-use pads need to be accessible so feed can be brought out to them, usually by a vehicle, tractor or skid steer. A dirt lane quickly turns to mud and slop, encouraging soil erosion, compaction and the chances of getting stuck. A gravel access road resolves the resource concerns and allows for ease of feeding. Geotextile fabric underneath good-quality limestone is imperative to have a long-lasting and durable road for years to come.
Having a well-working livestock system, especially in the winter, includes a lot of planning and well-thought-out infrastructure. Developing and designing this new system can seem overwhelming and insurmountable, but Holmes SWCD and NRCS are able to help with ideas, standards and designs.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is always accepting new applications, but the current funding batching date was recently announced as Feb. 16. This will be the deadline for your project to be considered for this year’s funding. This program is a great opportunity to receive cost-share funding to help make these practices possible for your operation. Josh Britton is the district conservationist with NRCS and is available to answer questions or receive applications at 330-600-3103 or at joshua.britton@usda.gov.