Grazing Management

Protected heavy-use livestock traffic areas require special consideration and construction to prevent erosion and muddy conditions.

What it does for you

• Provides stable, safe footing for animals and farm operators.

• Provides convenient, mud-free access by animals and operators during wet weather.

• Reduces the amount of gravel required to maintain access areas.

Considerations

• Gate openings, areas around water tanks, feeding areas, travel lanes or hay storage areas may need protection.

• Heavy-use areas should be located away from water wells and streams to provide an appropriate buffer.

• These areas can be constructed by establishing grade to provide drainage, installing a permeable geotextile material (place material between the subgrade and the aggregate), and covering with a minimum of 6 inches of gravel. Choose lime or small aggregate, such as crusher-run, to cap the heavy-use areas.