Factsheet 5. Cow tracks. Points to Consider. Multiple access entrance points to paddocks, preventing gateway poaching

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Helen Bradford
5 years ago
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1 Factsheet 5 Cow tracks How good are your current cow tracks? Evaluate them. When cows walk onto a track do they speed up or slow down? The measurement of speed and lameness can be used to evaluate how cow friendly different surfaces are for the cows to walk on Multiple access entrance points to paddocks, preventing gateway poaching Less pasture damage and quicker recovery of grass Altogether easier management of the grass and the cows. If there is a significant reduction in speed and increase in lameness seen when cows start to walk on the tracks, this is an indication that the track needs to be improved. The main causes of lameness due to bad cow tracks are:- Claw horn problems such as solar ulcers and white line damage caused by flints and sharp stones Secondary infection from mechanical damage Infection such as digital dermatitis and foul in the foot from muddy, wet tracks. The arguments for tracks are well rehearsed The risk of lameness is reduced with an effective track Cows with foot problems can walk more easily on a good surface Cows move faster on good tracks, this reduces the time taken travelling to and from grazing Essential for rotational grazing Easier access in spring and autumn (extending the grazing season) Well made tracks can make better tractor access Reduced poaching in gateways Simple gate handle using water pipe, enables multiple access into paddock. Courtesy of Will Edwards. Points to Consider The general layout of the farm should be evaluated before selecting the route of the track. A 5m width of which 4m is surfaced will enable good flow for up to 200 cows. Each additional 100 cows would require an extra 1m. (You would need 3-5 tonnes/meter run at 5 metres wide). It is not necessary to strip off top soil first for a cow track unlike a tractor track. Removing topsoil increases contracting and material costs without significant advantage. Is the proposed track on the level or on a slope. The gradient may determine the type of surface used 15:13

The maximum gradient for a track with a loose surface can be up to 12%, but ideally not more than 8% Tracks should not be in hollows or behind hedges where surfaces require more maintenance.

2 The maximum gradient for a track with a loose surface can be up to 12%, but ideally not more than 8% Tracks should not be in hollows or behind hedges where surfaces require more maintenance. Avoid tracks in heavy shade if possible (ie a south facing side of a hedge is better where there is a choice) Is poor drainage likely to be a problem in certain areas? The choice of surface depends on use, the importance of initial cost verses ongoing cost and the availability of materials Ideally visit several different farms with cow tracks to see how they are working in practice and to see how they could be modified for use on your farm Does the track need to service all areas of the farm? Take cropping pattern into consideration to maximise the use of the track Ideally you want to have the maximum access from the track for the least possible length of track. It should be sited to allow access to/from fields on both sides Check with your landlord or local authority with regard to use of local stone, selling topsoil, using landfill and planning permission to construct tracks If the track is to run within 1 metre of a waterway then specialist advice should be sought from the Environment Agency Start with a farm map and plan the ideal position of tracks, which may then be installed over a few years Do not remove the top soil for a cow track, this only adds to cost To minimise cost, use either an on-farm supply of shale/stone or building rubble that is cheap as a base material Good track, good accessibility from both sides, made from redundant farm buildings, 200 metres long, done over an Easter weekend for 800. Courtesy D & JM Homer. Talk to local contractors about what sort of materials are available locally as transport is often the biggest cost There are a number of options to be considered, these include; solid surfaces, such as concrete which is very expensive or softer surfaces such as wood peelings, sand and recycled rubber tyre chippings, which have been tested at the Institute of Animal Health, Compton. There are also a number of commercial materials such as Cow Carpet, TexWay and Cow Trax. Cows will walk better on the softer surfaces, but consider the following: The gradient of the track Weather conditions Disposal if no longer required Avoid lots of small stones eg tarmac planings, unless well consolidated/binded All material should be rolled with a heavy vibrating roller to consolidate it Finished surface; some on-farm dug shale may make an excellent finished surface, but builder s rubble will require a layer of lime dust (typically 50mm) or similar material, which will bind and solidify with time 15:14

Be aware that chalk, successfully used in the areas it is available, can become very slippery in wet conditions. This can be relieved to some extent by a very light dusting of sand.

concrete railway sleepers are cheap but need careful laying and they are only 2.5 metres wide, so two would be needed Drainage is critical.

3 Be aware that chalk, successfully used in the areas it is available, can become very slippery in wet conditions. This can be relieved to some extent by a very light dusting of sand. For example a farmer in Dorset spreads one good loader bucket of sand thinly over a 200 metre track to reduce slipperiness and finds it lasts about five to six weeks Other surfaces such as upturned concrete railway sleepers are cheap but need careful laying and they are only 2.5 metres wide, so two would be needed Drainage is critical. There must be either a cross fall of 150mm on the narrow tracks (less than four metres) or a camber of 150mm in the wider tracks. Water must not be allowed to run down tracks or remain on the surface otherwise it will erode and destroy them in no time, if necessary lay drains so water is not trapped on one side of the track in low spots. When planning tracks and any drains from them, avoid any run off into water courses Concrete sleeper track, good use of local material, good wide access, also potentially movable. Courtesy of Ed Dale. Wood peelings/bark although cows love this, it has become expensive (unless onfarm peelings are available) and has a high maintenance cost because it composts/rots For cows only the track needs to have mm base stone/shale For tractor traffic the track needs to be about twice this depth The last stretch of tracks could be without a hard surface (grass only) since they may only be used once every 21 days at most Good cambered track to drain water, track through middle of field to enable maximum access to paddocks, high tensile wire and mains electric. Courtesy of Will Edwards. In soft conditions a membrane may be a good investment at the base of the track, to prevent stone mixing with the soil or sub-soil Track width tracks can be narrower as they get further away from the buildings. This, however, could be false economy since most herds expand and therefore will usually need the extra width Avoid sharp corners, put a good sweep in them and plenty of width The stretch that leads to the yard/parlour may need to be concrete; particularly when cows are stood there for any length of time. This will allow it to be cleaned. It should be large enough to hold the whole herd 15:15

Water Run new 32mm main lines along tracks, under gates and up fence lines to supply new troughs Use large bore valves in the troughs so as not to restrict the flow Pick up water source as close to

Put as many paddock entrances as possible, use cheap insulated plastic handles.

4 Water Run new 32mm main lines along tracks, under gates and up fence lines to supply new troughs Use large bore valves in the troughs so as not to restrict the flow Pick up water source as close to the buildings as you can to bypass old and decrepit pipe Good wide track, sweeping bend for good cow flow, access either side of track. Courtesy of Derek Garrett. Put as many paddock entrances as possible, use cheap insulated plastic handles. Place large troughs under fence lines to service two paddocks, where you can move the fence with movable electric fence posts to allow access from both sides Fences Single strand high tensile wire fences are all that is needed to keep stock secure, provided that sufficient current is maintained Fences mains electric, put in a post at regular intervals of either 5, 10, 15m to make daily allocation easy Use under gate cable to carry the current. Do not rely on the use of gates and catches to do the job. These can be put in alkathene pipe Make each permanent gateway an entrance to two paddocks by off setting the fence post to create a notch. It may be an advantage to have slip fences as temporary gates to avoid over use of permanent gates Make sure gateways are well formed as they can be as important as the track Make gates the same width as the track so they can be swung across to guide stock in Try to put temporary daily allocation fences in to make blocks as grazing a block will be better than grazing a narrow strip because cows are less likely to pace up and down which could lead to soil and pasture damage Consider a single strand wire or coily spring type wire gates as a cheap alternative to field gates Good water trough, large volume, well placed usable from two paddocks, slightly raised base for good drainage. Install stopcocks on each area of the new mainlines to make maintenance and alterations simple Keep water troughs well away from tracks, this slows cow flow down. General Refurbishing existing tracks an excellent machine is available for this job, which is a very heavy duty rotavator, this is followed by a machine to camber or put a cross fall in the track, followed by a heavy vibrating roller Paddock size is not as important as the number of paddocks you have. As a general rule, 20 paddocks is a good starting point as, typically, cows will spend a good part of the season on about a 20 day rotation Paddocks do not have to be exactly the same size. Different sized paddocks give you flexibility. Get all young stock used to electric fences from the earliest possible age. 15:16

It is possible to rotationally graze with two rolls of electric wire and reels to enable complete flexibility of area allocated and take into account feed demand.

5 It is possible to rotationally graze with two rolls of electric wire and reels to enable complete flexibility of area allocated and take into account feed demand. A membrane should be laid over the base to prevent it from rising and mixing with the woodchip. Some tracks may also require a membrane under the hardcore to prevent it sinking and mixing with the soil. A 12cm layer of woodchip on the membrane-covered base will provide a comfortable walking surface. Woodchip tracks need regular maintenance and topping-up 2-4 times/year depending on the level of use and weather. Suitable fencing along both sides of the track is also essential to prevent soil being trodden into its edges. Electric fence reel gives maximum flexibility to allocate correct grazing area in any shaped field. Courtesy Will Edwards. Poor drainage is the most common reason for track failure. Building Woodchip Tracks Woodchip tracks are only suitable for smaller than average-sized herds. Woodchip tracks are best constructed on a 20cm deep trench filled with hard core or rubble and rolled to form a solid base. 15:17

HEALTHY FEET PROGRAMME. Cow tracks

HEALTHY FEET PROGRAMME. Cow tracks HEALTHY FEET PROGRAMME Cow tracks Contents 3 Objectives of a track 3 Cost benefits 4 Points to consider: cow behaviour 5 Points to consider: position of tracks 6 Points to consider: track materials 7 Design