Many livestock producers would say that mud is a natural part of livestock production. But the creation of mud costs producers money and makes them less competitive. Livestock that walk through mud require more feed for energy but actually eat less because walking in mud requires more effort to get to feed and water. Therefore, mud decreases average daily gains.

The benefits of hardened surfaces for livestock operations are that they have the potential to increase production and profitability by decreasing mud. In many cases, the costs of installing all weather surfaces are outweighed by the benefits in production. In addition, these best management practices can add improve aesthetics and water quality, creating a more successful farming enterprise. This publication gives a step by step guide to building an inexpensive all-weather feed pad or dry lot. Download full publication here .