Roller compacted concrete (RCC) is a dense, durable surface placed with paving equipment and compacted with rollers. For feedlots, it creates a firm working surface that stands up to cattle, loaders and daily manure handling. Subterrain Excavating & Trucking Ltd. builds RCC feedlot surfaces for working operations.
Why RCC works for Alberta feedlots
Feedlot surfaces have to carry cattle, feed trucks and loaders through changing weather and repeated cleaning. RCC combines the strength of concrete with a placement method suited to large working areas, giving operators a practical alternative to surfaces that rut, shift or turn to mud.
Durability
A tightly compacted surface resists heavy equipment traffic, hoof action and the repeated scraping involved in manure handling.
Faster placement
RCC can be placed across broad areas efficiently, helping reduce disruption to an operation when the site is ready.
Practical cost
The method generally uses less forming and reinforcing steel than conventional concrete, which can simplify large feedlot paving work.
Lower upkeep
A stable surface avoids the frequent reshaping and added aggregate commonly required when heavily travelled gravel begins to break down.
Cleaner working areas
Proper grading supports drainage and gives crews a firm surface for scraping manure, limiting the deep mud that can develop during spring thaw and wet periods.
RCC can be coordinated with Subterrain's feedlot construction services so the surface, drainage and surrounding sitework function together.
Where it's used on a feedlot
RCC is suited to high-use areas where reliable footing and equipment access matter. Common applications include pen floors, feed bunk aprons, alleys and travel lanes, loading and livestock handling areas, and equipment pads. The layout can focus RCC where traffic and wear are greatest while tying those areas into the rest of the operation.
Site preparation
The finished surface depends on what is beneath it. Subterrain begins by reviewing the subgrade, existing drainage and how cattle and equipment move through the site. Crews shape the area to move water in the intended direction, prepare and compact the base, and verify grades before RCC placement begins.
GPS machine control helps operators build the designed elevations consistently across large pens and lanes. Keeping the earthwork and RCC work coordinated reduces handoffs and gives the paving crew a dependable platform. Learn more about our site preparation and grading capabilities.
Installation process and equipment
- Prepare the site. The subgrade and base are shaped, compacted and checked against the drainage plan.
- Coordinate the mix. RCC is produced at a concrete plant with a low-slump consistency suited to paving and rolling.
- Haul and place. Trucks deliver the material so it can be spread evenly with paving equipment.
- Compact the surface. Rollers make planned passes while the material is workable, creating a dense, uniform surface.
- Protect and cure. The finished area is managed through curing before it returns to feedlot traffic.
Timing and grade control matter throughout the sequence. Subterrain coordinates experienced operators with our fleet so placement, compaction and site access stay aligned.
Drainage, sanitation, durability and maintenance
An RCC surface works best as part of a complete grading and drainage plan. Positive drainage helps move water away from pens and traffic areas, while the firm surface gives operators better access for scraping and routine cleanup. That can reduce persistent muddy areas and make manure handling more predictable.
RCC also stands up to repeated cattle and loader traffic without the loose aggregate and ruts associated with an unbound surface. Like any working surface, it should be inspected and managed as drainage patterns or operating conditions change, but routine upkeep is generally less intensive than maintaining gravel in the same high-use area.
RCC vs. gravel vs. conventional concrete
| Factor | RCC | Gravel | Conventional concrete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durability | Higher | Lower | Higher |
| Drainage | Built to grade | Can rut and shift | Built to grade |
| Mud and manure handling | Easier | More difficult | Easier |
| Maintenance | Lower | Higher | Lower |
| Installation speed | Faster | Fastest | Slower |
| Forming and rebar | Lower requirement | Not required | Higher requirement |
| Relative cost | Moderate | Lower initially | Higher |
What affects RCC feedlot cost
Cost depends on the pen area and layout, the condition of the existing base, the amount of preparation required, distance from the concrete plant and access for trucks and paving equipment. The design thickness and the timing of work around cattle movement also affect planning. A site review allows the team to identify those variables before preparing a quote.
RCC service area
Based in Lethbridge County near Iron Springs, Subterrain installs RCC across Southern Alberta. Tell us how your pens, alleys or equipment areas are used, where water needs to move and when the work must fit into your operating schedule. We will review the site requirements and discuss a practical next step.