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AHCD's Off Site Watering System

AHCD is offering producers a chance to borrow the system, set it up on their land,for 2 or 3 weeks and evaluate the effectiveness of providing livestock water, away from shorelines.

In an attempt to direct watering away from riparian areas. This system still uses the same water source, dropping a pump into an adjacent pond or creek, but provides water to the herd on firmer ground.

While the expense of purchasing such a system may seem initially high, the benefits of purchasing a solar watering system and protecting your riparian areas, are well worth the price.

Direct watering of livestock from dugouts,lakes, etc. can cause a number of environmental, herd health, and pasture use problems.

These problems may include:

• Pathogens may enter the water supply from fecal material.
• Some pathogens can cause foot rot and other diseases in the herd.
• Excessive nutrient loading from manure will lead to algal blooms and can cause production of toxins from cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
• Biological breakdown of manure and algae causes oxygen depletion, turning water stagnant.
• Trampling of side slopes from hoof action leads to sedimentation.
• If the water smells and tastes bad (such as caused by stagnation or manure contamination), cattle will drink only what they have to. This leads to reduced feed conversion and decreased productivity.

The benefits of supplying clean water in a trough and fencing the riparian area include:

• Increasing the life span of the dugout.
• Protecting the water quality.
• Reducing the chance of disease causing pathogens to enter water systems.
• Increased herd health and productivity.
• Cattle will no longer get stuck or drown in the dugout.
• Providing habitat for native wildlife species such as waterfowl and shorebirds.

AHCD producers can try out the system,for $100.00

The objective of this program is to provide livestock producers the trial use of a solar powered off-site water system. The actual use of the system will offer information for the management decision of establishing a system in their operation.

AHCD staff will:

• provide technical assistance;
• install the system for a max. of 2 weeks;
• particpants will be notified 1 week priour to removal of system;
• users are responsible for notifying AHCD of any problems;
• AHCD is responsible for maintenance of the system.

Trial of a solar powered off-site watering sytem provides you with a chance to see the benefits for yourself! See AHCD's Links page for contacts and referrals.

If you are interested in this system or something similar, please send us an email and include a brief message about your particular situation. Often we can assist with advice or programs on an individual basis.