There are two water monitoring indicators that can address the timing and amount of water for livestock or other animal species on your farm, according to the Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable.
Intermittent or ephemeral sources or no water may limit use in some areas. Vegetation management has been shown to impact stream and spring flows. Drought also is a large influence.
Your management objectives would be improvements in timing and amounts of water from various sources.
The key indicators to watch are:
Frequency or duration of surface water (TIME) – The first water indicator addresses the volume of water available, and the length of time that this water is present in the case of ephemeral water features. If the availability of ephemeral water begins to decrease on an annual basis, you should determine the cause of this decline.
Volume of water available (AMOUNT) – This indicator can be quantified by answering some basic questions:
- What and how many reliable sources of water do you have (sumps, surface flows and ground water)?
- Do you have adequate water supply or reserves year-round or during periods of use?
- Do you have adequate depth in existing stock ponds and tanks?
- Do you have adequate storage or flow from a well to supply the water needed?
- Do you have enough water to allow adequate grazing distribution?
There are many different ways to get water to your herd. Here are some resources that can help, depending on your situation:
- The University of Nebraska – Lincoln developed a fence and water development handbook. In Chapter 4, “Basic Water Supply System Design,” you’ll find a description of a portable tank and water tubing system that can be expanded to fit your needs without the expense of permanent fixtures. By choosing tubing and fittings made for the job, you can tow your tanks and tubing from pasture to pasture with an ATV. The authors take you through all steps of the process – from installing portable air/vacuum vents to figuring out pressure and water flow so that you’re sure that flow capacity will match your livestock numbers. They include pictures of portable tanks being towed and how to secure the tubing as you’re making moves. They even show you how you can design your system to make water flow up hill.
- Dirk Philipp and Kenny Simon, associate professor and program associate, respectively, of forages at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research & Extension, share some ideas on watering systems for cattle ponds. This resource talks through the challenges of using ponds as a water source without letting them become contaminated.
- At Farm Marketing Solutions, a resource for farmers looking to start or build their farm business, Troy Bishopp talks about a inexpensive system he set up to water his cattle without letting them walk through his streams.
- Keeping stock watered in winter can be a challenge. OnPasture.com offers this factsheet from ranchers in Manitoba with four different solutions as well as some good tips to consider when you’re setting up winter watering.
For more information about ranch sustainability, check out this resource from the Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable.