You Can Lead Livestock to Water...but Don't Let Them Step In It!

In the last installment of "In The Field..." I talked about how to build a pond. I mentioned one of the reasons for building a pond was as a source of water for livestock. O.k., so now I'm going to add a clause or addendum to that statement and say "but it's better if you don't let the livestock in the water while they're drinking." But what about all those old westerns where the cows headed for the watering hole on a hot, dusty day, waded in knee deep, and drank? What could be wrong with that? A lot of things!

Traditionally, animals were allowed direct access to natural sources of water such as ponds and streams. Those days are over, however, as research has shown how this practice can affect animal health, water quality, and wildlife habitat. For instance:

  • No one, not even animals, want to drink dirty water. There's an old adage that "If you won't drink the water, you shouldn't expect your animals to drink it." This was substantiated in an Oregon study which showed that livestock prefer water from troughs over water from streams. Livestock gained up to 30% more weight on clean water and grazed more efficiently when troughs were distributed throughout pastures.
  • When livestock deposit manure in or near water, the manure adds nutrients to water that can be harmful. High levels of phosphorus will increase algae blooms, ammonia will kill fish, and coliform bacteria can sicken or kill people. The livestock themselves are at risk from algae toxins and water-borne diseases if they linger in the water
  • Wildlife depend on trees, shrubs, and tall grass normally found along streambanks and ponds for food and cover. Given free access, livestock trample these natural areas, wade through spawning beds, and muddy the water. Continued use can lead to unstable and eroded stream banks and increased sedimentation.
  • Lastly, realize that whatever happens upstream eventually makes it way downstream. So the effects of livestock entering the water won't be contained on the owner's farm.

So, what are the alternatives to watering livestock from natural water sources?

Alternative Livestock Watering Systems. These "alternatives" go hand in hand with practices intended to improve efficiency in grazing livestock, such as intensive rotational or paddock grazing. So in all actuality, a producer could see some economic gains and improve water quality at the same time.

There are several "alternative" systems to choose from such as watering tanks, spring developments, nose pumps, ram pumps, and solar powered pumps. And, what is best for one livestock producer may not be for another. A producer needs to consider the amount of water required, cost of equipment and installation, maintenance demands, and environmental effects.

Probably the first and most important consideration is how much water is needed. How much will the livestock drink?

This will depend on a lot of things, but it might be interesting to note a few facts here:

  • Limiting water reduces animal performance quicker than any other nutrient deficiency.
  • Sixty to 70 percent of an animal's live weight is water.
  • Domesticated animals can live about 60 days without food, but only about 7 without water.
  • Water helps the body perform many functions such as eliminating waste products, regulating blood osmotic pressure, producing milk and saliva, transporting nutrients within the body, and regulating body temperature.

That said, we can make a fairly accurate guesstimate the needed water from the following table:

Animal Gallons/Day*
Cows, Dry or Bred 6-15
Cows, Nursing 11-18
Bulls 7-19
Growing Cattle

4-15
Dairy Cattle 15-30
Sheep & Goats 2-3
Horses 10-15
*Note - consumption may vary depending on the size of the animal, level of activity, forage available, and weather.

It's good to understand the drinking process also. For instance, a cow drinks by inserting its muzzle approximately 1 to 2 inches into the water with her head inclined at about a 60 degree angle. In this position, the cow will consume about 3 to 5 gallons of water per minute.

In addition, animals, like people, are social, and this becomes apparent when the location of their water source is taken into account. When they have to travel 600 feet or less to water, they will drink individually when they are thirsty. If they must travel over that distance, then they go as a herd. Pecking order comes into play in a herd situation, and "boss" animals may discourage timid animals from drinking.

So with all these things in mind, the producer is ready to evaluate his watering alternatives. First he/she needs to consider what water sources are available.

Ponds and Streams

I've already stated that it's best to keep animals out of ponds and streams, but, if they can't be kept completely out of the water, the next best thing is to offer livestock limited access. This can be done by fencing animals out of the stream or pond and allowing them access only at constructed stream crossings or access ramps.

Wells

Wells can be an excellent source of water for livestock because they are normally located close to electricity so that an electric pump and piping system can be installed. I say "can be" because you should first consider if there will be enough water for present uses plus what's needed for the livestock. You don't want everybody in the household mad at you because the cows took a drink and now they can't! Also, you want to be sure that the well is sealed properly.

Springs and seeps

Springs and seeps form when water moving through rocks or soil is forced out of the ground. If they are in a suitable location and have a reliable flow, they can be a relatively inexpensive source of clean fresh water. And, they will last for decades if constructed and maintained properly.

Rural Water

The local rural water company can offer a steady supply of quality water without the hassle of pumps, however cost and availability need to be considered.

Hauled Water

Hauling water in from another source with a transportable tank has it's advantages, however the cost of the truck, water tanks, and gasoline may be limiting factors.

Now that we've evaluated where to get the water from, let's talk about how to make it available to the livestock.

Controlled Access

As I mentioned above, ponds and streams can be a good source of water if access is controlled. Stream crossings can be stabilized by underlaying the area with synthetic geotextile material and covering it with gravel. Access ramps used in ponds should be constructed in the same manner, and allow a gentle drop of 1 foot for every 6 feet of length to the water. Ramps should extend no more than 2 1/2 feet into the water and serve at least 30 cows at a time.

Gravity Systems

If the water supply is located higher than the delivery point, then taking advantage of gravity makes for a relatively inexpensive system, since there is no external power source required to move the water.

Most gravity systems are just tanks equipped with float valves located lower than the water source, which is oftentimes a pond. Float valves work by opening and allowing water to gravity flow in while animals drink, then closing again when the tank returns to full level. The change in elevation from the water source to the watering site needs to be determined when installing this type of system. Every 2.31 feet in elevation change represents 1 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure. So, if a float valve requires 5 psi to operate effectively, then 12 feet of fall in elevation is necessary.

Electric Pumps

For all-around convenience and dependability, standard AC-current, electric-pressure water systems can be the best bet for livestock water. Of course, the limiting factor here would be how close the AC is to the water source. The longer the distance between the power supply and pump location, the larger electric wire required (to avoid excessive voltage drop), and the higher the cost of installation.

Submersible and standard suction-lift model electric AC pumps are commonly used in pressure water systems. Submersibles are freeze-proof, because they sit below water level, and don't require priming. Suction-lift pumps must be placed close enough to the water surface so that the elevation difference between the water surface and pump does not exceed the lift capacity of the pump. This type of pump has to be protected from freezing.

Ram Pumps

Ram pumps have been around for centuries. They use the energy of falling water from a spring, pond or creek to pump the water to a higher elevation without the need for an external energy source. Ram pumps are very dependable when installed correctly.

The amount of water a ram pump will provide is directly proportional to the available elevation head from the water source to the pump location and the volume of inflow water available to the pump. These pumps discharge from 70-90% of the source water to drive the system while pumping the remainder into water storage for use by the livestock. Setup of this type pump should include a means to drain the discharged water away to a pond, stream, or other watering site.

Solar Pumps

In areas where utility AC power is not available, solar pumps can provide an alternative for watering livestock. In these systems, solar panels convert sunlight into DC electricity, which operates the pump. Dependability is an issue with solar driven systems, however. It is recommended that a battery be used to store electricity, or a large quantity of water be stored in an oversized tank, for backup on cloudy days.

Sling Pumps

Sling pumps are anchored in a stream and utilize the energy provided by the flowing water to pump water to a higher elevation. The sling pump has a propeller attached to a drum. As the propeller and drum turns, it picks up water that is then pumped to a tank. The faster the drum turns, the faster the water is pumped. Flow rates of one to two gallons per minute to heights of greater than 50 feet can be expected from sling pumps.

These pumps work best in streams with a good flow. They need to be checked frequently for debris to keep them operating properly. Trash, sticks, and leaves can clog the pump and stop it from rotating.

Nose pumps

Nose pumps are low cost pumping systems, and they're livestock operated! Animals provide the power by pushing a lever with their nose. Water is then pumped into a small bowl below the lever. Springs, streams, ponds, or shallow wells are suitable water sources in this type of system.

Animals normally catch onto the nose pump mechanics fairly quickly, but it helps if other water sources are removed from the pasture. Nose pumps provide water to one animal at a time at a low flow rate, so their use is limited to small numbers of animals. Locating them close to the grazing area will reduce the grouping nature of animals when drinking and reduce stress on the system.

Other things to think about:

Pipelines are an essential part of the pumping systems I've mentioned here. Pipes get the water to the pasture in the right amount at the right time (assuming of course, that you've calculated everything correctly!). They may be run underground, or on top of the ground using freeze- or burst-proof pipes. It's not a bad idea when running pipe, to leave it on top of the ground until you establish exactly how you want the pastures laid out; pipes can be buried after you're satisfied the system is working the way you want it.

The size of pipe used to supply the needed water is determined by the pressure pushing the water. Whether the pressure is by pump or gravity doesn't matter. Using gravity pressure, each 2 to 3 foot drop in elevation will increase water pressure by 1 psi. For pumps, the lower the pressure, the larger the pipe size has to be, and the higher the pressure, the smaller the pipe size.

Troughs and tanks should match the grazing system and livestock. By this I mean, they should hold enough water for the livestock to drink (as determined using the table above) and be in proportion to the size of the livestock. For instance, you don't want young calves trying to drink out of tank that they can't see over. The following table* provides guidelines for sizing a trough or tank.

Where livestock are rotational grazing within 600 feet to the water facility:
 

Cattle, horses and dairy:
Round or oval troughs or tanks should provide a minimum of 15 inches per head of perimeter tank space for 1/10 of the herd. (Diameter equals circumference divided by 3.1416)

Square or rectangle troughs or tanks should provide 20 inches per head of straight side tank space for 1/10 of the herd.
 

Sheep, goats and swine or similar livestock:
Round or oval troughs or tanks should provide a minimum of 10 inches per head of perimeter tank space for 1/10 of the herd.

Square or rectangle troughs or tanks should provide 14 inches per head of straight side tank space for 1/10 of the herd.
Where livestock are grazing over 600 feet from the water facility:
 

Cattle, horses and dairy:
Round or oval troughs or tanks should provide a minimum of 15 inches per head of perimeter tank space for 1/3 of the herd.

Square or rectangle troughs or tanks should provide 20 inches per head of straight side tank space for 1/3 of the herd.
 

Sheep, goats and swine or similar livestock:
Round or oval troughs or tanks should provide a minimum of 10 inches per head of perimeter tank space for 1/3 of the herd.

Square or rectangle troughs or tanks should provide 14 inches per head of straight side tank space for 1/3 of the herd.
*Source - NRCS FOTG Conservation Practice Standard - Water Facility (No.) Code 614

A tank doesn't have to cost a lot of money as long as it will do the job. Plastic 30 to 55 gallon barrels cut in half make good troughs as long as they haven't been contaminated with a toxic substance. Heavy equipment tires also make good tanks if you need something larger.

If the tank is in a multiple day paddock rotation, it's best to move it everyday if possible, to keep trampling of vegetation and mud to a minimum. Tanks in permanent locations should be set on level, well-drained sites; placing stone or gravel underlain with geotextile material around them will stabilize the area.

Not every watering system will look the same or cost the same; everyone's resources are different. However, whatever the system chosen, it needs to be monitored and maintained. Nothing lasts forever, as they say, especially when it's undergoing the daily wear and tear animals impose on it. Checking for damaged tanks, plugged water intakes, cracked supply lines, and corroded pipes on a routine basis can prevent a water crisis and a lot of headaches!


That's it for this edition of "In The Field." Come back again soon!

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