Description
Due to difficult weather conditions in spring and autumn, especially in 2018, it was necessary for pasture farmers to have good roadways to expand the grazing season into late autumn because of a great shortage of forage. The Hanken farm is on peat soil and relies on good roadways. The two herds get access to pasture over two main roads with different underground. The group discussed about advantages and disadvantages of different subsoils:
- Concrete roads are durable and usable for bigger machineries but need to be checked for small cracks and loose stones, which can get stuck in the cow’s hoof.
- Old thick rubber mats from the railway crossings are durable, soft ground is good for the hoof’s health, cows prefer to walk on mats than on concrete roads.
- Geotextile as underground is needed for construction on peat soils/high organic matter soils.
The farmer got inspired by his Ireland trip last spring and built a typical Irish roadway with different layers of material on peat soil. Since some construction material is unavailable in Germany, he used the diameter specification from Ireland for the different layers.
- Irish roadway with German material on peat soils can be easily created
- Topsoil should not be removed on peat soil
- Geotextile should be put underneath
- Slope must be ensured that water can drain off to the side
- Dust-like material should be used for the top layer, because it hardens quickly under good weather conditions
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