2000 Annual Report for FNC00-297
Livestock Watering Systems
Summary
In an attempt to improve grazing management, producers look for better ways of watering their livestock so that pastures can be paddocked for rotational or other grazing systems. Traditional watering systems in Nebraska are allowing livestock access to streams or farm ponds.
Objectives: 1) To satisfy human food and fiber needs, 2) to enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends, 3) to make the most efficient use of non-renewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate natural biological cycles and controls, 4) to sustain the economic viability of farm operations, and 5) to enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
The producer fenced out dams and creeks, and piped water downhill to ram and nose pumps that pump water to a high point of the farm at 124 feet higher than ram pumps. The water is then gravity-fed to tanks in various paddocks.
Results: The producer developed this system at only one-third of the cost of conventional watering systems. Not only does this watering system protect waterways from stream bank degradation, surface water contamination ,and uneven grazing, but also substantially increases pasture efficiency and carry capacity.