- Home
- Knowledge library
- Costing out a 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.
Working out the cost of your cow track
When you’re planning your new cow track, you’ll need to carry out a true costing of materials. Here are some points to bear in mind when you’re doing this:
- Do your calculations based on the quantities of material you’ll need to achieve your desired width, depth and length of track
- This allows a ‘true’ costing of the different materials to be done: a ‘cheap’ load of materials may turn into an expensive track if you don’t consider the quantity and maintenance regime of the track from the outset
- If you’re using chalk, sand, rubble or shale, make sure you get a quote for the correct grade of material, as it can vary a lot
- Remember to factor in the transport, labour and machinery costs that you’ll need for your chosen design
- Don’t forget to include the cost of the fencing alongside the track
As a rule of thumb, one square metre of track would need a tonne of material.
Useful links
Find out about the advantages of cow tracks
Learn how cows behave on a cow track
Find out what to consider when planning your cow track route
Learn about materials for your cow track
Discover how to design and build a cow track
Find out more about maintaining a cow track
Learn about draining your cow track
Learn how to fence a cow track
AHDB has a number of technical resources for you to use on farm and in the office. If you would like to order a hard copy of Cow tracks, please contact:
Email: publications@ahdb.org.uk
Telephone: 0247 799 0069
Alternatively, you can order online using the form below: