Livestock watering systems: Livestock watering systems: a profitable solution!a profitable solution!

Presented by Roberto Toffoli, Presented by Roberto Toffoli, agronomistagronomist

Set-up: Julie Marcoux, dtaSet-up: Julie Marcoux, dta

Overview of presentationOverview of presentation, , part 1part 1

Good reasons to act…Good reasons to act…

• Current situationCurrent situation

• Expected outcomesExpected outcomes

• Profitability and financial aidProfitability and financial aid

• Environmental benefits for the farm and the Environmental benefits for the farm and the community community

Presentation overviewPresentation overview, , part 2part 2

Simple methods…Simple methods…

• Watering systems:Watering systems:

– supplied from the barnsupplied from the barn

– supplied from a water source in the pasture supplied from a water source in the pasture

• Setting up a watering systemSetting up a watering system

Presentation overview, Presentation overview, part 2part 2

• Controlling access to streams:Controlling access to streams:

– CrossingsCrossings

– FencesFences

Simple methods…Simple methods…

Presentation overview, Presentation overview, part 3part 3

• Costs of a watering systemCosts of a watering system

• Available financial aidAvailable financial aid

Is the water:Is the water:

• Easily accessible?Easily accessible?

• Of a good quality?Of a good quality?

• Available in sufficient Available in sufficient

quantity?quantity?

• Accessible in each Accessible in each

pasture ?pasture ?

Current situation, Current situation, part 1part 1

Easily accessible ?Easily accessible ?

Easily accessible?Easily accessible?

Of good quality?Of good quality?

Of good quality?Of good quality?

A sufficient supply?A sufficient supply?

Available in each paddock?Available in each paddock?

Expected outcomesExpected outcomes

• Improved weight gainsImproved weight gains

• Increased milk productionIncreased milk production

• Better use of pastures by a more even grazingBetter use of pastures by a more even grazing

• Herd healthHerd health

• Profitability Profitability

• Environmental benefitsEnvironmental benefits

Improved weight gainImproved weight gain

• 5 to 30% increase in calves 5 to 30% increase in calves and steers younger than 1 yr and steers younger than 1 yr (Lethbridge, Alberta (1992)).(Lethbridge, Alberta (1992)).

• ¼¼ lb to ½ lb more lb to ½ lb more / day: for / day: for growing animalsgrowing animals

(Oregon, Idaho, USA).(Oregon, Idaho, USA).

Results from the TownshipsResults from the Townships

ADG of 10% higher per ADG of 10% higher per

weaned calf weaned calf

(PATBQ, one farm)(PATBQ, one farm)

Improved weight gainImproved weight gain

Improved milk productionImproved milk production

Townships results:Townships results:

Increase milk Increase milk production from 1% to production from 1% to

9% during pasture 9% during pasture season season

(PATLQ, 2 farms)(PATLQ, 2 farms)

Better use of pasturesBetter use of pastures

• More uniform grazingMore uniform grazing

• Prolongs the grazing Prolongs the grazing seasonseason

• 2 to 9 min. spent at 2 to 9 min. spent at through vs 15 min. to through vs 15 min. to 3 hours at the pond 3 hours at the pond (Montana, USA).(Montana, USA).

Herd healthHerd health

• Injuries- fracturesInjuries- fractures

• Foot rotFoot rot

• DiarrheaDiarrhea

• MastitisMastitis

ProfitabilityProfitability

• Average net investment (after Average net investment (after aid)aid)• Dairy and beef productionDairy and beef production

• Recoup time is short: Recoup time is short:

• Dairy: less than a yearDairy: less than a year

• Beef: 1 to 2 yearsBeef: 1 to 2 years

2500$2500$

Environmental benefitsEnvironmental benefits

• Protection of banks and Protection of banks and beds of streamsbeds of streams

• Improved water qualityImproved water quality

• Good relations with Good relations with neighboursneighbours

• Image of farmers as Image of farmers as stewards of the land in the stewards of the land in the communitycommunity

Watering systems, Watering systems, part 2part 2

• Supplied from the barnSupplied from the barn

• Supplied from a water source: Supplied from a water source:

– creek, spring, pond or underground watercreek, spring, pond or underground water

Barn supplied: advantagesBarn supplied: advantages

• Same water quality as at Same water quality as at the barnthe barn

• ReliableReliable

• Pressurized system, so Pressurized system, so slope and elevations are slope and elevations are not an issue not an issue

• Supply is known and Supply is known and demand often highdemand often high

• CheapCheap

Barn supplied: Barn supplied: InconveniencesInconveniences

• May reduce the May reduce the amount of water amount of water avaiable for other avaiable for other uses: barn, home, uses: barn, home, pool, etc. pool, etc.

• May require a more May require a more powerful pump.powerful pump.

Ground levelGround level

Water intakeWater intake

Stream bedStream bed

Water headWater head

Water levelWater level

Tank Tank / through/ through

Pasture suppliedPasture supplied

Gravity fedGravity fed

From a water source From a water source AdvantagesAdvantages

• Able to supply cattle Able to supply cattle with water far from with water far from barnbarn

• CheapCheap

• Flow is difficult to evaluateFlow is difficult to evaluate

• Water quality must be Water quality must be verifiedverified

• Insuffisance slope to Insuffisance slope to watererwaterer

• If low pressure pay If low pressure pay attention to choice of float attention to choice of float valvevalve

From a water source From a water source DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Set-up of a surface wellSet-up of a surface well

Spring - fedSpring - fed

Set-up of a surface wellSet-up of a surface wellStream - fedStream - fed

CoverCover

Fence to protect the Fence to protect the wellwell

1 m ou +1 m ou +

30 cm minimum30 cm minimum

30 cm soil30 cm soil

PierresPierres

30 cm30 cm

A 4A 4" drain must be installed to control the water table at the well and evacuate excess " 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 water. A fence protects the well and maintains the quality of the water. An overflow pipe may be required to evacuate excess water.may be required to evacuate excess water.

Conception : Conception :

Roland Marchand Roland Marchand Roberto Roberto Toffoli Pauline Toffoli Pauline Samson MAPAQ-Samson MAPAQ-Estrie Octobre 2002Estrie Octobre 2002

SURFACE WELLSURFACE WELL

30 cm 30 cm minimumminimum

Niveau de l ’eauNiveau de l ’eau

20 cm20 cm

Tuyau 1 à 2 po vers le réservoirTuyau 1 à 2 po vers le réservoir

Controlled access to streamsControlled access to streams

ControlingControling does not mean setting up 200 km of does not mean setting up 200 km of

fences…!fences…!

Short sections to:Short sections to:

– Direct animals to stream crossingDirect animals to stream crossing

– Modify drinking habitsModify drinking habits

FencesFences

• As little as possible As little as possible (maintenance)(maintenance)

• Only where neededOnly where needed

• Temporary?Temporary?

• To change habitsTo change habits

FencesFences

• At least 1m from top At least 1m from top of bankof bank

• After only one After only one seasonseason

Stream crossingStream crossing

• Reduce slope of banks. Reduce slope of banks. Slope Slope ±±1:81:8

• Avoid drainage ditchesAvoid drainage ditches

CrossingCrossing

• 12 to 24 feet wide12 to 24 feet wide

• Fenced on each sideFenced on each side

• Ramps with gravel / Ramps with gravel / rockrock

CulvertCulvert

• Small ditches Small ditches

• StreamsStreams

Watering stationsWatering stations

On concrete padOn concrete pad

(approx 8’X10’)(approx 8’X10’)

With fencesWith fences

Watering stationsWatering stations

On limestone On limestone screeningsscreenings

Without a slabWithout a slab

Type of watererType of waterer

• Light, durable, cheapLight, durable, cheap

• Entrance and exit Entrance and exit holes are readyholes are ready

• Compartment to Compartment to protect float valveprotect float valve

PlasticPlastic

Type of watererType of waterer

• No pre-drilled holesNo pre-drilled holes

• No protection for No protection for floatfloat

Galvanized steelGalvanized steel

Type of watererType of waterer

• Ecological (recuperation)Ecological (recuperation)

• OK but watch for capacity OK but watch for capacity (at least 100 gal)(at least 100 gal)

• No protection for floatNo protection for float

Tubs, tanks, etcTubs, tanks, etc

Type of watererType of watererInsulated watererInsulated waterer

•Ideal for late in the fall Ideal for late in the fall grazinggrazing

•One per farm is suffisantOne per farm is suffisant

Protecting waterersProtecting waterers

Wood carverWood carver Jack-of-all-tradesJack-of-all-trades

Protecting waterersProtecting waterers

Welding 101 styleWelding 101 style Type: G stringType: G string

Burying water pipesBurying water pipes

• Between 18-24" deepBetween 18-24" deep

• Reduces maintenance and Reduces maintenance and increase pipe lifespanincrease pipe lifespan

• Protects agains early Protects agains early freezingfreezing

• Keeps water coolKeeps water cool

Types of float valvesTypes of float valvesDare-O-MaticDare-O-Matic

Pressure (psi) Flow (l/min)50 17,0942 14,7330 13,2120 10,2515 8,3810 7,635 5,99

Types of float valvesTypes of float valves

RubbermaidRubbermaid

Pressure (psi) Flow (l/min)40 11,3430 11,3420 8,4915 7,6310 5,855 4,27

Types of float valvesTypes of float valves

GallagherGallagher

Pressure (psi) Flow (l/min)9 33,737 32,864 26,72 17,561 16,86

Types of float valvesTypes of float valves

KericKeric

Pressure (psi) Flow (l/min)5 32,862 17,8

Types of float valvesTypes of float valvesHudsonHudson

Pressure (psi) Flow (l/min)9 33,337,5 26,095 202 10,53

Hydraulic ramHydraulic ram

Nose pumpNose pump

Sling pumpSling pump

Solar powered pumpSolar powered pump

• Drain pipes in the fallDrain pipes in the fall

• Store waterer and Store waterer and valvesvalves

• Protect valves and Protect valves and pipes from freezingpipes from freezing

MaintenanceMaintenance

Insulated Insulated sleevesleeve

Waterer Waterer intakeintake

Water Water supplysupply

groungroundd

ValvValvee

CoverCover

Estimated costs, Estimated costs, part 3part 3

Case 1: Barn supplied. Case 1: Barn supplied.

5 watering stations on concrete pads 2 600 $ *4 standards (100 gal, pad 8X10) (4 X 460$)

1 insulated waterer (1X 760$)

2000 m pipe (1000 m of 1po (1,56$/m) and 1000 m of 1 1/4 po (2,10$/m) 3 660 $ *1 crossing (backhoe and gravel) 400 $ 1 culvert (backhoe and gravel) 350 $ 2000 m electric fence 1 000 $ *Burial of pipes (30 hours X 115$/hour) 3 450 $

TOTAL 11 460 $

FINANCIAL AID 70% 9 111 $ * Note: Include 15% for family labor

NET cost 2 349 $

Estimated costsEstimated costs

Case 2: Supplied from surface wellCase 2: Supplied from surface well6 watering stations on concrete pad (6X460$) 3 060 $ 5 standards (100 gal, pad 8X10) (5 X 460$)

1 insulated waterer (1 X 760$)

800 m pipe 1po (1,56$/m) 1 250 $

2 crossings (backhoe and gravel) 800 $

2 surface well 900 $

1000 m electric fences 500 $

Burial of pipes (12 hours X 115$/hour) 1 380 $

Surface well excavation (2 hours X 115$/hour) 230 $

Hired labor (80 hours X 15$/hour) 1 200 $

TOTAL 9 320 $

FINANCIAL AIDS 70% 6 524 $

NET COST 2 796 $

Financial aidFinancial aid

• Non-point source sectionNon-point source section

–Withdraw cattle from brooksWithdraw cattle from brooks

–Repair stream banksRepair stream banks

–Conservation mesuresConservation mesures

–Wind-breaksWind-breaks

–Conservation practicesConservation practices

Prime-Vert programPrime-Vert program

Prime-Vert programPrime-Vert program

•70% of admissibles costs70% of admissibles costs

•Max of 20 000$ / farm.Max of 20 000$ / farm.

•New version of program for 2004.New version of program for 2004.

•Check with local MAPAQ officeCheck with local MAPAQ office

In conclusionIn conclusion

AfterAfterBeforeBefore

ThanksThanks

• Alain Gagnon, ing. MAPAQ Rock ForestAlain Gagnon, ing. MAPAQ Rock Forest

• Richard Laroche, ing. MAPAQ QuébecRichard Laroche, ing. MAPAQ Québec

• Martin Paré, agr. MAPAQ CoaticookMartin Paré, agr. MAPAQ Coaticook

• Roberto Toffoli, agr. MAPAQ Rock ForestRoberto Toffoli, agr. MAPAQ Rock Forest

• Ferme Gilles Provencher Inc, Barnston-OuestFerme Gilles Provencher Inc, Barnston-Ouest

• Ferme A & M Leblond, Barnston-OuestFerme A & M Leblond, Barnston-Ouest

• Ferme Jacques et Lucie Côté, JohnvilleFerme Jacques et Lucie Côté, Johnville

• Ferme JG & L Lefebvre, Stanstead-EstFerme JG & L Lefebvre, Stanstead-Est

• Ferme Vimo, Ayer’s CliffFerme Vimo, Ayer’s Cliff

• Ferme Daniel & Maryse, StansteadFerme Daniel & Maryse, Stanstead

• Ferme La Villandroise, CookshireFerme La Villandroise, Cookshire

ThanksThanks

Eastern townships farmsEastern townships farms

Questions?Questions?