Abundant, clean water is necessary for all forms of livestock found on the average farm. Cattle can be expected to drink, on average, up to 30 gallons of water each day. If the animals are dairy breeds that produce milk, the amount of water consumed is likely to be even higher, especially during the peak of their lactation cycles or when seasonal temperatures are very hot.
If you are wondering if your farm would benefit from the drilling of one or more wells to provide livestock water, here are three potential benefits to consider.
Ability to avoid contaminated water
When cattle or other livestock drink from an open source, such as a pond, lake, or stream, they are taking in any contaminants that may already be in the water. These contaminants often include manure and urine deposited into the water as the cows wade and drink, as well as any chemicals and bacteria that may wash in during a rainstorm.
If the water source is small or shallow, the water it holds is likely to heat up and become stagnant or include large numbers of mosquito larva or even parasites, such as those that cause giardiasis or other illnesses.
Ability to safeguard water quality in ponds, streams, and lakes
In addition to the detrimental effects of cattle drinking stagnated or soiled water, farmers must also consider the damage that cattle do to the natural water sources from which they drink. Due to their hooves and heavy body weight, cattle can cause or worsen erosion of the banks of rivers, streams, and ponds, as well as muddy or soil the water.
Ability to utilize automatic watering stations
Farmers who opt to drill water wells to supply livestock water can also enjoy the benefits of automatic watering stations. Available in several varieties, automatic watering stations are connected to pipes from a nearby drilled well and can be sized to provide fresh water on demand for any number of cattle.
In addition, farmers can opt for models that include heaters so that water is available year-round without having to thaw pipes or break several inches of ice on the surface of ponds, lakes, or streams. Automatic watering stations fed by drilled water wells can also allow farmers to better utilize areas that were previously considered to be located too far from a water source for use as livestock pasture.
To learn even more about the benefits of drilling an agricultural well to provide water for the needs of your cattle or other livestock, discuss your current situation and future livestock watering needs with a well drilling service in your area.
Share25 February 2020
If there is one thing that is for certain, it's that we all need food to survive. Some of us might have yards large enough to produce some of our food, but we're so used to just going to the grocery store or market to satisfy our food needs. We depend on those in the agriculture industry to keep the shelves stocked, so we can fill our fridges. The more you know about the agricultural industry, the more you'll come to see its importance. From farming techniques to the crops best-suited to various climates, we dive right into agriculture on this website. Enjoy!
