Cow tracks

Cow tracks enable your herd to move safely around your farm, as well as bringing several other advantages. Learn how to design and build an effective cow track that benefits both you and your cows.

What to consider when designing and building a cow track

Cow tracks allow your herd to move safely and comfortably around your farm.

They also bring other benefits, such as enabling a longer grazing season.

When designing and building a cow track on your farm, think about:

  • How cows behave on cow tracks
  • How to plan an effective track route and choose the right materials
  • How to design, build, drain, fence and maintain a cow track
  • How to budget for costs

Follow the links below to find out more about each aspect of installing a cow track.

Objectives of a cow track

Cow tracks bring a number of benefits to your farm and herd. Find out how installing a track can save you money, keep your cows healthy and minimise your environmental impact.

Explore the advantages of installing cow tracks

Cow behaviour on a cow track

Installing a cow track that works for your herd means taking into account the way cows behave when they’re moving around in groups.

Learn how cows behave on a cow track

Positioning a cow track

When deciding on a route for your new cow track there are a number of things to keep in mind.

Work through our checklist to make sure you’ve thought of everything.

Read our checklist of points to consider

Cow track materials

When choosing materials for building a cow track, you have a number of options.

Find out what to consider when deciding on the best material to use for your track and herd.

Explore cow track surface options

Designing and building a cow track

To give your new cow track the best chance of success, there are a few things to keep in mind when designing and building it.

Work through our checklist of considerations to make sure you’re constructing an effective and long-lasting track.

Learn how to design and build a cow track

Renovating and maintaining a cow track

We outline the telltale signs that may indicate problems with your track, and suggest how to maintain it to ensure it continues to aid cow flow and comfort.

Find out more about maintaining a cow track

Cow track drainage

Adequate drainage is critical to prolonging the life of your cow track. Here we look at how to ensure your track deals effectively with surface run-off.

Learn about draining your cow track

Costing out a cow track

What should you consider when working out the cost of your new cow track? Here we explain the different expenses to account for when calculating the cost of your chosen track design.

Find out how to calculate cow track costs

Fencing a cow track

The final aspect of your cow track to consider is what fencing to use and how to ensure it doesn’t slow down cow flow.

Here we look at what to bear in mind when fencing your cow track.

Learn how to fence a cow track


Useful links

Learn more about lameness in dairy cows

Information on mobility scoring for dairy cows

An introduction to the Healthy Feet Programme

View the latest Cow tracks and herding guide

We have a number of technical resources for you to use on farm and in the office.

To order a hard copy of the cow tracks publication:

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