Basic HTML Version
Design tips
for
roadways and tracks
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Width:
3.5-6m for roads; 1.8-2.4m
for tracks
…and to the parlour
On the approach to the parlour from the
field, Tom recommended a concrete
stretch of roadway. This needed regular
scraping or sweeping to remove stones
on the surface so as not to disrupt cow
flow or cause lameness.
He also advised: ‘At the entrance to the
collecting yard, it's a good idea to put
a kerb; this forces cows to lift their legs
and stops grit from being flicked forward
by cows. The roadway should also
widen to compensate for cows having
to slow down.
Ger added: ‘The walking order of cows
differs slightly from the milking order. So
once they have entered the collecting
yard, they need space and time to
rearrange themselves before they enter
the milking parlour.’
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Depth:
at least 30cm of hardcore,
and 5cm of 'dust'
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For surface layer:
use dusty material
with maximum pebble size of 5mm
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On steep sites:
use ramps or channels
to divert water at intervals
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Make roadways/tracks wider at
corners and T-junctions
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Site water troughs away from the road
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Regularly assess to spot emerging
defects
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Keep well-maintained - especially
heavy cow traffic areas
XLVETS CONFERENCE
SPRING 2014 ISSUE
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
12