We're working on a plan for the 30'x60'muddy cow paddock -
first - we have to keep the water from emptying from the field to the paddock - the ring of hills surrounding the field dump tons of water into the highest traffic area - a great recipe for deep mud. So - just before the paddock and the front of the field, we'll build a higher hill to allow water to pool in the center of the field, and not flow over the existing small hill, into the backyard. We'll also keep one area from being grazed, so water that makes it over the hill can pool there temporarily in the long grass.
We'll leave the paddock with a high spot and low spot, and dump 4 inches of 1 1/2 inch gravel in the low spot. We'll cover the paddock with 1 roll of 15x300 geotextile (road fabric). I think we're buying a product called Cow Carpet. then we'll cover the fabric with 6 inches of 1/2 inch gravel with fines, and put 3 inches of pea gravel on top. We'll scoop the manure out as necessary, and I'm sure some of the pea gravel will end up in the manure sometimes, but that's no big deal.
Doing it this way will stop the flooding - but will stop the mud from working up to the surface too. We need the paddock to be dry and not smelly - for us and the cows.
I'm still working on all the costs but the fabric is $600, drop shipped. The gravel is going to be about $1000 total, but not delivered. We'll have to get our guy who can spread the gravel to also pick it up - and his cost will be the highest part. So - the whole thing may cost $2000. The trick now is to figure out if it will all really work - and if that's the true cost.