Water Systems On Pasture: An Eastern Canadian Beef Producer Perspective

One of the major limitations to grazing new paddocks, pastures or intensifying grazing systems is ensuring beef cattle have a consistent source of clean water. Access to natural surface water, such as rivers and streams, can be a major asset in watering system implementation. However, reducing and managing cattle access is recommended to prevent damage to water banks.  

Research has demonstrated improved performance in cattle when provided water pumped into tanks or troughs. Calves grow more efficiently, and they have less exposure to pathogens. Additionally, it limits excess nutrients and bacteria from entering the riparian area.  

Many different systems and configurations are possible, even in remote areas without access to electrical power, through use of solar- or wind-powered options. For producers interested in installing a new watering system, several factors should be considered, including the water source, time of year, water capacity required and location.

The BCRC’s Water Systems Calculator is a useful tool producers can use to estimate the economics associated with installing a new pumped watering system based on their unique situation. 

In Eastern Canada, one of the most common ways of delivering water to pastures is by pumping water from a drilled well through a pipeline system. Pipelines can be buried below the frost line or remain above ground and be removed during winter. An above-ground system works efficiently for rotational grazing setups where many quick-connect couplings can be added along the line and the water trough can be moved with the cattle. Of course, individual producers will have their own unique requirements for a watering system. 

The following producer profiles highlight different ways pasture watering systems are used on-farm in Eastern Canada. 

Dandy Little Farm- Joggins, Nova Scotia 

Dandy Little Farm, located outside of Amherst, Nova Scotia, is operated by Mandy and Dan da Costa, who have been farming beef cattle since 2015. Promoting environmental sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint are major goals for their operation, which they manage through optimizing grazing, reducing inputs and minimizing a reliance on machinery to move feed and manure. Mandy is also a chef that aims to produce an excellent product for their direct-sale consumers.  

Their herd of 35 cows primarily consists of Lowline Angus, with a few commercial cows from their initial herd purchase, whose genetics suit their needs for a low-input, pasture-based system. They calve once a year on pasture in late spring. They have been using careful grazing to re-establish healthy and productive pasture on 40 acres of land, which had been left fallow for several years before they purchased it. The da Costas also have an additional eight acres of pastureland and 120 acres of woodlot. They keep cattle on pasture year-round. 

Ensuring good-quality water is available consistently is a key component of being able to maintain their cattle outdoors in all seasons. In 2017 and 2018, they dug two multi-purpose ponds with the original intent of storing water, feeding a well for livestock watering and recreational use. This evolved to include watering on pasture by pumping water from a vertical well to a stock tank in different pastures. Water moves from the ponds, to the well, to a tote and finally to a stock tank that is moved with the herd.