The better way to do livestock tanks
…on the level

McDaniel Ranch improves its livestock operation by stabilizing cattle water access with TrueGrid permeable pavers.

“The permeable stock tank apron is fantastic. It has improved the ability for my cattle to drink water safely while keeping the surrounding area cleaner. Installation was simple and took just a couple of workdays.”
- Cody McDaniel, McDaniel Ranch

Challenge

Ever heard that the only thing constant is change? Well, in the world of a rancher, the only thing constant is chores. Whether fixing fence, harrowing pasture, or tending to the herd, the task list is never-ending. One such chore every rancher deals with is managing the ground level around stock tanks to ensure safe water access for calves and cattle.

In the hunting world it’s referred to as a “wallow”. In ranching, it’s that muddy, disgusting area around the stock tank that cattle repeatedly tear up and compact while accessing their water. The problem arises when, over the season, the weight and movement of these 1,200+ pound animals lowers the ground, often by 8+ inches, impeding access particularly for calves. If a calf can’t access water because the stock tank is too high, its life is in danger.

McDaniel Ranch in Townsend, Montana is no stranger to the incessant need each season to bring in dirt and gravel to watering areas to raise the level around their stock tanks. With hundreds of cattle to maintain, it’s an annoying pain on the long list of projects to get done before calving season starts.

A seed stock cooperative producer with Pharo Cattle Company, their focus is helping ranchers maximize profits by providing low maintenance, low input and easy-caving genetics that rely on natural forage rather than grain and hay input. They lean toward doing things the way nature intends through regenerative agriculture methods. So saving cost while optimizing the land is the way they run their operation.

BEFORE:
A typical stock tank with mud and compaction

AFTER:
Improved stock tank with permeable paving apron

Solution

This year was the year to do something permanent about the stock tank bog. Rather than continuing to spend hours regrading the area around several stock tanks, they looked into putting a concrete slab around the tank. That solution was interesting, but the logistics requiring pouring concrete in remote pasture areas were challenging. Plus water would flow from the slab to the surrounding ground and create more mud.

The ranch owner heard about permeable paving online. The decision hinged on a meeting with Montana Hardscape Hub to explore the options to improve water access with TrueGrid permeable pavers. They decided to test the concept on one of the muckiest stock tanks on the ranch.

Wanting to minimize cost, their investment focused on spending money on the right materials that would last for decades, while saving money doing the labor with their own ranch equipment and brawn.

Installation options were considered:

Excavate, prep, and install TrueGrid below grade and either set the stock tank on top of the TrueGrid or in-set it.
Build up from existing grade, framing the area surrounding the tank, adding the aggregate base layer and TrueGrid and either set the stock tank above or inset.

It was decided to go with option 2 with 8 feet of apron extending beyond the inset stock tank. Raising the grade against the 2-foot high tank achieved a tank rim height of 16-18 inches above the apron, ideal for safe calf access.

Here’s how they did it with a team of two:

The stock tank was removed temporarily to allow for an open workspace. The ground was scraped to level the surface. Considering cattle had compacted the area over time, no additional compaction of the organic material was needed.
Knowing that cattle would do their best to destroy anything they walk on, they used strong edging of treated 4x6 lumber to frame the area. Pro tip: They saved time and possible measurement errors by temporarily laying TrueGrid PRO PLUS to set the template for the edging, then removed it once the lumber was secured with rebar and screws.
Non-woven fabric (Mirafi 140N) was stapled in place, with extra to float up the edging.
Then road mix from the local gravel pit was brought in by tractor with a bucket and compacted to a 4 inch depth (TrueGrid recommends a 4 inch compacted angular aggregate base for livestock applications).
Then the real fun began. TrueGrid PRO PLUS was laid out and snapped together like LEGOS.
Spray paint was used to mark the arc of the stock tank to simplify cutting the material with a circular saw. 3/8 inch spikes added extra security, spaced out approximately 6 feet apart along the edges and near the stock tank.
The stock tank was returned to its normal position. The tractor with a bucket attachment returned to dump the aggregate on the prepared area and the gravel was distributed into the cells with standard rakes. They opted to overfill the area to ensure additional material to fill any gaps with settling.

It was the prettiest little stock tank apron anyone had ever seen! And ready for the ladies and their babies.

“We’re so impressed with how this stands up to our cattle, we’ll be retrofitting our other stock tanks and installing new ones with TrueGrid permeable aprons.”

- Cody McDaniel, McDaniel Ranch

Result

While TrueGrid PRO PLUS is proven to handle the weight of an 80,000 pound fire truck, could it stand up to the wear-and-tear of hundreds of cattle? The time came to move pastures and test the theory.

The apron has reliably held the weight of 20 cattle at a time without buckling or shifting. Since the TrueGrid system filters overflow and rainwater back down into the ground, runoff is minimized to prevent excessive mud in the adjacent area.

One of the most exciting outcomes is the longevity of the apron, expected to hold up for decades. Except for the occasional topping off with road mix (likely every few years), this rancher gets to spend chore time on other projects around the ranch.

TrueGrid is the world’s strongest permeable paver. Used in grass and gravel paving, it’s strong enough to park a crane on, stand up to Montana’s tough climate and snow plowing, and still last for decades.

Contact Montana Hardscape Hub here to learn if TrueGrid can solve you commercial , farm & ranch or residential paving problem.