Cotton stalks and gin trash are not permitted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture for bedding because of herbicide and pesticide residues. It is advisable to score the surface perpendicular to cow traffic. Crisscross scoring gives better footing. Loose housing and corrals that are hard-surfaced generally require a 4 percent slope for proper drainage. Dirt lots may need a 4 percent slope or more, depending on soil type and rainfall.
Surface pumping to remove storm water from a corral area can help reduce mud problems.
However, corral scraping and excess manure removal before and after the rainy season are necessary. Feed manger configuration, placement, and width per cow are factors in reducing stress and increasing comfort for dairy cows. Length of feeder space per cow affects time available to eat and amount of feed the bunk can hold. Feed mangers must be cleaned regularly. This is particularly important with high moisture feeds during hot weather, since they can ferment and spoil if not consumed.