Overview, with, examples of designing systems to supply drinking water to cattle and other livestock in management-intensive rotational grazing systems

1. Watering Systems
% Soil Organica Matter
Paddock Designs
• Hub and Wheel
– Central water, gathering point
• Texas Block
– Water in every paddock
• New Zealand Block
– Lane to water and paddocks
• Strip Break
– Front and back fence
– Frequent moves

2. Watering Systems
% Soil Organica Matter
Water Location
Water limits paddock design.
Water will control utilization.
Water in every paddock ideal.
Permanent water points become focus of
nutrient export and animal impact.
• Lanes to water can become seasonal
“sacrifice areas.”
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3. Watering Systems
% Soil Organica Matter
Water Quantity

4. Watering Systems
Water Quantity
Water Quantity
% Soil Organica Matter
Livestock
Water needed per
Water needed per
Animal (50̊ Day)
Animal (90̊ Day)
Dry Cow
8-12 gallons
20-30 gallons
Lactating Beef
12-20 gallons
25-35 gallons
Lactating Dairy
20-30 gallons
30-40 gallons
600 lb Steers
6-9 gallons
10-15 gallons
Horses
8-12 gallons
20-25 gallons
Sheep and goats
2-3 gallons
3-4 gallons

5. % Soil Organica Matter
Watering Systems
Mississippi State , 2008

6. Watering Systems
Water Quantity
% Soil Organica Matter
Lanes

7. Stabilized Stream Crossings
Diagrams Courtesy : Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture

8. The stabilized stream crossing has been sloped 5:1 and dug 10”
below the level of the stream. Sand is then hauled in.

9. The sand after it has been spread, 3 inches deep.

10. Geotextile fabric (8 mil.) is next placed on the sand. We used rebar
with washers welded on top to secure the fabric in place. The rebar is
driven into the ground on all corners and on the upstream edge.

11. Next we put down four sheets of geocell. The geocell is 6” deep and
comes in 8’ x 20’ honeycomb sheets. Notice that the corners are held
in place by temporary rebar driven into the ground.

12. The geotextile fabric in place.

13. Rock is then hauled in and dumped onto the geocell. It fills the
honeycomb structure and remains in place. Before the tractor drives
over the recently filled section of geocell, the rebar is removed to
prevent puncturing the tires.

14. % Soil Organica Matter
Watering Systems
Gravity Flow
Pipe lays flat on the bottom of the pond anchor by a cement block and the upright
pieces have several holes drilled in them to allow water flow into but not wildlife.

15. Watering Systems
Water Quantity
% Soil Organica Matter
Gravity Flow

16. % Soil Organica Matter
Watering Systems

17. Watering Systems
Water Quantity
% Soil Organica Matter
Solar

18. Watering Systems
% Soil Organica Matter
Solar
Folds down for highway transport
Easily moved with an all terrain vehicle
600 Galloon capacity
27 lineal ft. of drinking area
Low trough for calves to drink
Extremely balanced and easy to set up

19. Example
Sundog Solar
Link @ powerflexfence.com

20. Watering Systems
% Soil Organica Matter
Portable Water Systems

21. Watering Systems
Fence-Line Weaning

22. Watering Systems
% Soil Organica Matter
Used tires for tanks

23. When the water source is near their grazing, even herd animals
tend to drink individually. If they have to walk a distance to
water, they tend to travel as a group. The more watering points
and the closer they are, the better the nutrient distribution.

24. Watering Systems
% Soil Organica Matter
Water Quantity

25. Watering Systems
Water Quantity
% Soil Organica Matter
Sling Pump & Nose Pump

26. •
Designing a water system for future expansion may be the
best option for beginners with limited funds.
o Many producers use pipes and portable waters to create movable water
systems and design permanent systems based on this experience.
•
Flexiblity in locating water within paddocks should be part
of any final design.
Henson Bottoms
220 Acres

27. Watering Systems
Water Quantity
% Soil Organica Matter
Water Wagons

28. Watering Systems
% Soil Organica Matter
Water Quantity
Questions?