Most mounds will need reshaping and soil added each year. The basic goal of using mounds is to remove water as quickly as possible from the pen with minimum erosion of soil and manure. This requires short relatively steep slopes in the mound itself, with less slope in the valley, yet good drainage out of the pen. If long slopes are too steep, erosion of soil and manure will cause problems in management of runoff from the feedlot. Avoid using bedding as it absorbs and holds moisture, defeating the purpose of the mound.
Clay soil is the preferred material for mounds.
When packed, it sheds moisture well. For other soils or soil and manure mixtures, incorporating 2 inches of agricultural limestone in the surface of the mound will reduce the amount of water absorbed and increase run off. Some soft limestone may be soft enough that a rather coarse grind may be used. On the other hand, high grade limestones may need to be near the size of agricultural lime for this purpose. Start the access to the mounds at the bunk apron.