Feedlots could save energy by using efficient plastic water troughs rather than the common concrete type, an Alberta Agriculture study indicates.
Project engineer Lawrence Papworth estimates energy reductions of up to 58 percent using troughs with smaller heaters and thermostats that shut off those heaters at a specific temperature.
“(Concrete troughs) typically aren’t very well insulated,” said Papworth.
“The concrete’s big feature is the durability because they can just put them in and cattle can rub on them and do anything they want. But typically they aren’t very energy efficient.”
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He has tested two readily available models of plastic troughs in a feedlot near Warner, Alta., and found both had good potential to reduce feedlot power consumption.
The plastic troughs, which are foam insulated, would probably require some type of metal guard to prevent damage from cattle.
“I would think it would have a long life,” he said.
“I think plastics are better now than they used to be many years ago.”
The newer units also have thermostats, so they can be set slightly higher than freezing.
Some older units had pre-set temperatures of 15 C, which meant they would run constantly throughout the winter.
“I’m just trying to promote the use of more energy efficient things,” Papworth said.
“The big thing is the insulation and the electronics are better now.”
Feedlot operators who don’t plan to install a new trough could mount thermostats near the breaker that goes to the troughs.
The thermostats can be set slightly higher than zero and will shut off the heaters when chinooks blow in during winter, as they frequently do in the feedlot intensive area near Leth-bridge.
“You can save a lot of energy there, too.”
Papworth has two years of data on the energy efficient troughs, and his report suggests it should be extended to investigate energy savings from other types of waterers.
The information he gathers will be used to determine whether livestock waterers should be included in Growing Forward 2 and possibly to develop a carbon offset protocol for watering livestock.
