Are Troughs Better Than Dams For Livestock?

Realistically there's no one size fits all answer to this question, which is why your local Irrigear Independent Experts will be instrumental in configuring the right stock watering system for your needs. However, if you're after general guidance and some help knowing what information to arm yourself with to get the most out of your chat with the team when you go in store, read on.

The Benefits Of Troughs For Livestock Watering

Arguably two of the biggest benefits that troughs have over dams are their ability to be placed almost anywhere, and the enhanced level of control that you have over the water within them. This is particularly important on farms where stock will spend extended periods of time inside, and in areas where run off, ground nutrients or other external factors are able to have a significant impact on the water quality within a dam.

The Benefits Of Dams For Livestock Watering

In areas where there is adequate rainfall and suitable ground conditions, a dam can provide both enrichment and water for your livestock. Young animals love playing together by the water, and the surface area ensures that your stock can all get a drink when they need it.

They're also often easier to maintain, as they're mostly self-sufficient, and larger water bodies tend to be less susceptible to algae outbreaks or other concerns of this manner as higher volumes of water can better maintain their own balance. Having said that, a well filtered and properly maintained trough can provide the same, and often better, reliability in terms of water quality (more on that further down).

Additionally, livestock may use shallow areas to cool off in warmer months if available, however it is important to note that you'll need to ensure that the area isn't able to get too muddy if you intend on allowing your animals to do this, as they can get stuck if the ground becomes boggy.

Why Both Troughs And Dams Should Work Together

If you have the space for dams, it is generally preferable for livestock to have access to both troughs and a dam. This means your stock will always have a backup water source if anything happens to your dam or trough, while also offering them more variety in their day, a perk that should not be overlooked given that some studies have shown novelty boosts the health and wellbeing of animals.

Having said that, your stock will be just fine if the area they need to be in at any given time does not allow for the installation of a dam, as long as they have constant access to clean, fresh water via a trough.

Designing The Right Stock Watering System

As noted at the beginning of this article, there's no such thing as the best livestock watering system for every farm. There is, however, the best stock watering system for your farm, and it's important to ensure everything is configured correctly if you want to ensure your livestock are watered efficiently.

Factors To Consider When Selecting A Livestock Watering System

A range of factors come into play when designing the right stock watering system, so it's wise to seek personalised advice from your local Irrigear Independent Experts if you're at all unsure of any elements. They'll be able to design a system that meets your needs and takes common factors like the below into account:

• Your unique landscape
• Available water sources
• The animals you intend on raising
• Grazing rotation requirements (and locations)
• A range of environmental factors
• Power accessibility
• Water storage capabilities
• And more

Types Of Livestock Watering Systems

The most common default livestock watering system is a dam, but there are a range of options available depending on the needs of your farm.

For example, multi-purpose watering systems like this one installed by Irrigear members Cobram Pumping & Irrigation, are capable of moving water long distances and can supply water for both your livestock and your home. Solar pumping systems, like this installation by Irrigear members Ultimate Pumps And Irrigation, can remove the need to manually cart water and provide a reliable and sustainable solution for areas where dams commonly dry out. And fully self contained systems like this solar pump, tank and trough installation completed by Irrigear Yass make water management easy. For those with significantly sized properties and the need to move water exceedingly long distances, there are also systems like this one created by the DAB and Bianco crew which features an entire network of products, multiple pumping stations and water storage, designed to supply 60 troughs across 9000 hectares.

There are also livestock watering systems that move water between dams if these are your preferred storage location, options that pump water up from a bore to fill a dam, solutions that allow you to pull from tanks to keep your stock watered with troughs wherever they go, and more.

In other words, the options and possible configurations are essentially endless, which means you're guaranteed to be able to find the right water management solution for your stock watering needs, but also makes the process far more complicated if you're not sure what you need.

Managing Water Quality For Stock Watering

Finally, it is worth noting that not all stock watering systems provide equal water quality. Rainwater, bore water and mains water all have different properties that could trigger a water quality issue, and if you want your livestock to be as happy and healthy as possible, it's important to ensure concerns are monitored for and dealt with swiftly if they arise. Your local Irrigear Independent Experts can carry out water testing for you and advise whether any parameters need adjustment. Water softening and filtration systems can be purchased if needed, with advanced options available if you'll be drawing from a bore for your home as well as your livestock, and large scale agricultural filtration can be easily designed to prevent undue clogging or wear and tear.

So, are troughs better than dams for your livestock? Find your local Irrigear Independent Experts via our Store Locator linked below and have a chat about the right stock watering system for your needs.