Hillspring, Alta. – Pumping clean water to livestock could be like having money in the bank.
Producers attending a recent pasture school near Hillspring were told that even if water is pumped a short distance from a dugout, cattle tend to visit the trough for a clean drink, which improves their health and weight gain.
One of the big problems associated with cattle drinking directly from water bodies is the urine and feces they leave in the water, which raises fecal coliform numbers to as much as 5,000 parts per millilitre
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A hybrid wind and solar pump is one way to deliver water to livestock year round. The unit can also be moved throughout the pasture to spread manure more evenly.
These systems can cost thousands of dollars, but healthier animals can save producers money. An alternative is to build an individualized system.
“You can pay or you can build, whatever you choose,” said Joe Harrington of Alberta Agriculture.
Wind and solar systems are improving, but it is always a good idea to have a back-up system for cloudy or windless days.
A gas powered generator can help, but they are not perfect either.
“Some other systems don’t produce enough energy to lift the water to where it is needed,” Harrington said.
He favours pasture pipelines leading to troughs, which can economically move water moderate distances across pastures and may be better than building a number of dugouts or solar pumps in a pasture.
A high density polyethylene pipe can be buried six feet to prevent freezing and provide a year-round water supply.
Eight kilometre of two inch pipe at 45 psi can provide up to 10.5 gallons per minute. A shorter distance of three km with the same pipeline size and pressure can deliver 17.5 gallons per minute.
For many producers, natural springs may be the best source of water.
However, a licence is required in Alberta when developing a spring because water for livestock is considered an industry.
“You won’t see a problem until there is a complaint,” Harrington said.
Cattle can ruin a spring by stomping over it. As well, the water won’t flow if hydraulic pressure is lost.
A licence offers protection if something happens to the water source such as drying up or contamination.
“That licence could be worth some money to you,” he said.
As well, government money is available to develop water systems through the Canada-Alberta farm water program. Each eligible producer may apply for a maximum of $5,000 to cover the cost of water pipelines, solar systems, remote water systems, pumping, and digging wells and dugouts.
