Farm Race FAQs | Zeolite | StockRock

StockRock Farm Race FAQs

1. What is it?
StockRock is made from zeolite, which is a sedimentary clay formed by ash sediments from volcanic activity settling in thermal lakes around the Rotorua region 200,000 years ago.

2. How thick do you lay it?
We lay StockRock at 180mm thickness, and compact to a finished 120mm thickness.

3. How long does StockRock last?
In most cases, StockRock races will last 3-5 years. Variances which need to be considered : how many cows moving up and down each race, how wide the races are and whether you hold the cows up in high pressure areas by operating a split herd system. Sometimes a minor top-up may be required close to the concrete yard after year 3, but the majority of the StockRock races in good conditions will last 5 years or longer.

4. I have a steep slope on my race. Can I lay the StockRock on the slope without it washing off?
StockRock has a natural weathering process which we call cementing. This cementing process is extremely important for getting rock to stay on hills.

5. Is StockRock slippery?
Yes StockRock can be slippery with cow muck when you have a light shower of rain.

When StockRock has been freshly laid, the fines in the StockRock can make the race surface slippery, but as time goes on and you get the StockRock weathering, you see the fines wearing away, exposing a rounded rock surface which is easy on your cows' hooves.

The weathering process can be sped up by using a watercart on the race as soon as the StockRock has been laid, immediately enhancing the traction for cows. In 99 percent of races, traction enhancement is not required. Please make contact if traction issues are of particular concern to you.  

6. Is this the same as Lime Rock or Brown Rock.
No StockRock (zeolite) comes from a very different geological family. It is unique. There is nothing else like it.

7. Can I get my contractor to lay StockRock?
Yes absolutely. But make sure your contractor uses a minimum of a 3 or 4 ton roller to compact the StockRock. We prefer that we talk to your contractor before he comes on site, to make sure he is up to date with our recommended laying process, or we can send you an Installation Guide.

8. Do I need to use a roller?
Yes most definitely. Do not consider laying StockRock without a roller. This is by far the most important part of any farm race installation of StockRock. Compaction is paramount.

9. Can I use StockRock on my feedpad or standoff pad?
Yes you can, however a couple of factors are very important : 1. Make sure you have a minimum laying thickness of 200mm instead of the standard 120mm. 2. Make sure that you use a Rubber scraper to clean the surface regularly. Failure to keep the cow muck to a minimum means that the StockRock is wetter than optimal, and life of StockRock is reduced.

10. Are there any farms in my area that I can look at? Can you send me some photos?
Yes, we can arrange site visits and/or send photos. We have many farms throughout the North Island with StockRock races. 

11. How much does StockRock weigh? 
StockRock weighs 1 ton per cubic metre minimum.

12. How far will a truck and trailer unit of StockRock cover on my farm race?
StockRock 100mm will cover 170 square metres and StockRock 65mm will cover 250 square metres.

13. Will StockRock reduce my lameness?
Yes, if the lameness is caused by farm race deterioration, StockRock installation has been seen to reduce lameness by up to 90%.  

14. Can StockRock be laid any time of the year?
Yes, as we have a shed-stored supply of StockRock, we can provide dry StockRock all year round and StockRock can even be laid in between showers of rain.

WANT TO ASK A DIFFERENT QUESTION? 
Email sean.hogan@stockrock.co.nz

 

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