The Ultimate Guide to Remote Water Systems

Many livestock producers are leaving the traditional methods of watering their livestock in the past and switching to using remote watering systems. A few reasons for this change include:

• Watering calves out of remote systems is linked to an increase in gains. Read more here.
• Remote water systems prevent a decrease in water quality.
• Improved pasture utilization.
• Increases the longevity of water sources (especially during drought years).
• Overall improved herd health.

What is a Remote Water System?

A remote water system is a system that delivers water to a watering site that is located away from surface sources such as dugouts, creeks, rivers, etc. These systems typically involve fencing off water sources to prevent cattle from entering the source. This protects water sources from damage, prevents a decrease in water quality, and improves overall herd health.

The Most Common Remote Water Systems

Solar Water Systems

Solar water systems are a popular choice among producers because they are cost-effective, require little maintenance, and can pump water from a variety of sources. Since these systems can capture, covert, and store energy from the sun to power the pump, they can be used in remote areas where power is not available.

There are several types of systems to choose from, including:

• Portable solar troughs.
• Solar well systems.
• Winter water systems.
• Fixed solar watering systems
• And more.

Pros:

• Very little maintenance is required.
• Low operating costs.
• Have the ability to pump out water on hot sunny days, when cattle need water the most.

Cons:

• Can have high set-up costs.
• Some systems rely too much on sun availability. (Utilizing batteries for power storage can help with this issue.)
• When a problem occurs, it can leave cattle without water.

Need help choosing the right solar system for your operation? Click here to read our guide to remote solar watering systems.

Pipeline System

If you have one reliable water source, a well or dugout, that can water your livestock all season, you may want to consider a pipeline system. These systems are great for producers who don’t have access to multiple water sources or have cattle in locations without sufficient runoff.

Pipeline systems allow producers to place watering sites away from water sources to maximize pasture efficiency, prevent overgrazing, and protect water sources.

Pros:

• Can provide water to multiple trough locations.
• Can move water a long distance.
• Great for rotational grazing.

Cons:

• Needs to have an established water source that will last all grazing season.
• It can be difficult to diagnose and fix problems such as leaks in the line.
• If not installed properly, damage can occur to the pipeline.

Wind-Powered Systems

While wind-powered water systems are not as popular as solar water systems, they are still a cost-effective way to pump water out of dugouts or wells. This system utilizes a windmill to pump water into a trough or tank. A good rule of thumb to follow with these systems is to ensure there is enough storage to supply water to livestock for at least 3-4 days.

Tip: Placing windmills on high ground allows better access to wind, even on days when wind speeds are lower than average.

Pros:

• Cost-effective once set up.
• Great for remote areas where nothing can obstruct the wind.
• Some systems are portable, allowing you to move the system to different water sources.

Cons:

• High setup costs.
• Not suitable for sheltered areas that don’t experience higher-than-average wind speeds.
• Can’t be used in wooded or hilly areas.

Gravity Fed System

Gravity-fed water systems utilize gravity to move water downhill. This type of water system works best if there is a water source, such as a dugout, located uphill from your water site. The water is then moved via pipeline downhill into a stock tank or troughs.

Once a gravity-fed system is set up, it typically does not require a lot of maintenance, however, the setup process can take some time as the system needs to be strategically thought out.

Pros:

• Great for sloping pastures with a water source uphill from the watering site
• Low/No Energy Use
• Don’t have to rely on factors such as sun/wind to power the system.

Cons:

• Requires specific terrain to be efficient.
• Improper installation can lead to low-pressure issues.
• Setup/installation can be time-consuming.

Gas-Powered Pumping Systems

Gas-powered water systems are versatile and low-cost. This type of system uses a gas-powered pump to deliver water to tanks and troughs. There a numerous types and sizes of pumps that can be used depending on the amount of water you need to move. You always want to ensure your pump is powerful enough to provide enough lift for your system.

Gas-powered systems can be used hand-in-hand with other types of systems. For example, water can be pumped into a large storage tank as part of a gravity-fed system. The water can then flow from the tank into a trough.

Pros:

• Cost-effective.
• Pumps can be transported to different water sources.
• Pumps can be used in different areas of the farm.

Cons:

• Can become labour-intensive to constantly pump water into troughs/tanks.
• Have to keep a close eye on water levels in troughs/tanks.
• Pumps require regular refueling.

Nose Pump Systems

Nose pump water systems have a lever that livestock push with their nose to activate the pump. Water is then pumped into a bowl for the animal to drink. Some nose pump systems can carry water about 1/2 a kilometer with the use of a shallow pipeline which can make this type of system convenient for pastures and grazing areas with no water source nearby.

Pros:

• Portable.
• Low Cost System.
• Frost free systems can be used year round.

Cons:

• Have to train your livestock to use these systems.
• Need at least two systems at each water site.
• Calves typically have trouble learning how to use this type of system, so a backup water source is required.

Tire Troughs & Tanks

Tire trough systems typically utilize a pipeline to pump water from a source, such as a well or dugout, into a large tire that acts as the trough. These systems use a float switch to pump water through the pipeline into the trough.

Tire trough systems require a lot of labour to install as you need to set up a pipeline, install plumbing, source a large enough tire, etc., but once the system is installed, they typically are very reliable.

Tip: having a drainage system in place will help prevent major overflow events if the float valve fails.

Pros:

• Pre-assembled systems allow for easy setup.
• Can hold a sufficient amount of water.
• Tires are durable and can handle the roughness of livestock.

Cons:

• If not using a pre-assembled system, installation can be very labour-intensive.
• May be hard to source large enough tires.
• Overflows are common.

Tank and Trailer Systems

Tanks and trailer systems are exactly how they sound. These systems utilize a tank, trailer, and float switch to deliver water to a trough. This type of system works best for short-term grazing sites, rotational grazing, and drought relief. If you want to use this type of system as a permanent water solution, we recommend using a big enough tank that can supply your herd with water for at least 3 days.

Pros:

• A simple way to supply water in pastures with no other water source.
• Very portable, can take the system to the cows.
• Can be used as a backup watering system in areas that experience extreme droughts

Cons:

• Very time-consuming and can use high amounts of fuel.
• Requires constant monitoring of the tank.
• Not an efficient long-term watering solution for livestock.

Ensuring Your Remote Water Systems Have Water

One major drawback to any type of remote water system is the need to constantly check the water every day. Checking water can become very time-consuming and expensive, especially if you have to drive out to the pasture every day.

The HerdHand Water Monitor was designed to help producers save time and money by reducing the number of trips they need to take to the pasture to check water. The HerdHand is a remote monitoring system that:

• Allows producers to check water levels from their phones.
• Alerts producers when the water is low or overflowing.
• Can also detect problems with battery voltage and power sources.

If you’re interested in using the HerdHand on your remote watering systems, click here to contact us for more information.