Livestock watering systems: a profitable solution!

1. Livestock watering systems: a profitable solution! Presented by Roberto Toffoli, agronomist Set-up: Julie Marcoux, dta

2. Overview of presentation, part 1 Good reasons to act… • Current situation • Expected outcomes • Profitability and financial aid • Environmental benefits for the farm and the community

3. Presentation overview, part 2 Simple methods… • Watering systems: • supplied from the barn • supplied from a water source in the pasture • Setting up a watering system

4. Presentation overview, part 2 Simple methods… • Controlling access to streams: • Crossings • Fences

5. Presentation overview, part 3 Costs of a watering system Available financial aid

6. Current situation, part 1 Is the water: • Easily accessible? • Of a good quality? • Available in sufficient quantity? • Accessible in each pasture ?

7. Easily accessible ?

8. Easily accessible?

9. Of good quality?

10. Of good quality?

11. A sufficient supply?

12. Available in each paddock?

13. Expected outcomes • Improved weight gains • Increased milk production • Better use of pastures by a more even grazing • Herd health • Profitability • Environmental benefits

14. Improved weight gain • 5 to 30% increase in calves and steers younger than 1 yr (Lethbridge, Alberta (1992)). • ¼ lb to ½ lb more / day: for growing animals (Oregon, Idaho, USA).

15. Improved weight gain Results from the Townships ADG of 10% higher per weaned calf (PATBQ, one farm)

16. Improved milk production Townships results: Increase milk production from 1% to 9% during pasture season (PATLQ, 2 farms)

17. Better use of pastures • More uniform grazing • Prolongs the grazing season • 2 to 9 min. spent at through vs 15 min. to 3 hours at the pond (Montana, USA).

18. Herd health • Injuries- fractures • Foot rot • Diarrhea • Mastitis

19. Profitability 2500$ • Average net investment (after aid) • Dairy and beef production • Recoup time is short: • Dairy: less than a year • Beef: 1 to 2 years

20. Environmental benefits • Protection of banks and beds of streams • Improved water quality • Good relations with neighbours • Image of farmers as stewards of the land in the community

21. Watering systems, part 2 • Supplied from the barn • Supplied from a water source: • creek, spring, pond or underground water

22. Barn supplied: advantages • Same water quality as at the barn • Reliable • Pressurized system, so slope and elevations are not an issue • Supply is known and demand often high • Cheap

23. Barn supplied: Inconveniences • May reduce the amount of water avaiable for other uses: barn, home, pool, etc. • May require a more powerful pump.

24. Pasture supplied Ground level Water head Water intake Tank / through Stream bed Water level Gravity fed

25. From a water source Advantages • Able to supply cattle with water far from barn • Cheap

26. From a water source Disadvantages • Flow is difficult to evaluate • Water quality must be verified • Insuffisance slope to waterer • If low pressure pay attention to choice of float valve

27. Set-up of a surface well Spring - fed

28. Set-up of a surface well Stream - fed

29. SURFACE WELL Fence to protect the well Cover 1 m ou + 30 cm minimum 30 cm soil Niveau de l ’eau 30 cm minimum Pierres Tuyau 1 à 2 po vers le réservoir 20 cm 30 cm Conception : Roland Marchand Roberto Toffoli Pauline Samson MAPAQ-Estrie Octobre 2002 A 4" drain must be installed to control the water table at the well and evacuate excess water. A fence protects the well and maintains the quality of the water. An overflow pipe may be required to evacuate excess water.

30. Controlled access to streams Controling does not mean setting up 200 km of fences…! Short sections to: • Direct animals to stream crossing • Modify drinking habits

31. Fences • As little as possible (maintenance) • Only where needed • Temporary? • To change habits

32. Fences • At least 1m from top of bank After only one season

33. Stream crossing • Reduce slope of banks. Slope ±1:8 • Avoid drainage ditches

34. Crossing • 12 to 24 feet wide • Fenced on each side • Ramps with gravel / rock

35. Culvert • Small ditches • Streams

36. Watering stations On concrete pad (approx 8’X10’) With fences

37. Watering stations On limestone screenings Without a slab

38. Type of waterer Plastic • Light, durable, cheap • Entrance and exit holes are ready • Compartment to protect float valve

39. Type of waterer Galvanized steel • No pre-drilled holes • No protection for float

40. Type of waterer Tubs, tanks, etc • Ecological (recuperation) • OK but watch for capacity (at least 100 gal) • No protection for float

41. Type of waterer Insulated waterer Ideal for late in the fall grazing One per farm is suffisant

42. Protecting waterers Wood carver Jack-of-all-trades

43. Protecting waterers Welding 101 style Type: G string

44. Burying water pipes • Between 18-24" deep • Reduces maintenance and increase pipe lifespan • Protects agains early freezing • Keeps water cool

45. Types of float valves Dare-O-Matic

46. Types of float valves Rubbermaid

47. Types of float valves Gallagher

48. Types of float valves Keric

49. Types of float valves Hudson

50. Hydraulic ram