Tap Into Savings: Comparing Water Systems for Better Beef Herd Performance
Insufficient access to good quality water reduces beef cattle performance faster and more dramatically than any other nutrient deficiency. Consequences can be immediate and severe, especially in hot summer weather or during drought. Investment in a well-designed water system is critical, not only to maintain cattle productivity and health, but also to support pasture utilization and to conserve water during dry conditions.
Results of the Farm Management Survey (Statistics Canada, 2021) showed 71% of beef cattle operations allowed their cattle unlimited access to surface water sources, while only 28% reported limited or no access. Among those operations that reported limited or no access, 57% used remote or off-site water systems. These systems can lead to increased weight gain, improved reproductive performance and health as well as enhanced longevity of a water source. However, managing water systems can often be challenging, with various factors to consider such as the availability of water sources, infrastructure requirements and long-term maintenance costs.
Recognizing the importance of these factors, the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) has updated the Economics of Water Systems Calculator, a tool designed to assist cattle producers in evaluating the initial cost, maintenance costs, potential economic benefits and pay-back period of their water system(s).
Features of the Updated Water Systems Calculator
Useful and versatile features of the newly updated livestock water systems calculator include:
- Above-Ground Pipeline System Option: This option compliments the previous buried pipeline scenario. Above-ground systems can be less expensive and easier to install in certain situations compared to traditional buried pipelines. When terrain allows for drainage in the fall, this makes them a practical option for some operations.
- Funding Opportunity Section: With funding available from various provincial government programs, this section provides examples of how access to funding can make water systems more affordable.
- Cow-Calf and Yearling Interface: This new version maintains the cow-calf and yearling options, including the weight gain benefit for each class of cattle.
- Windmill, Solar, Underground Pipeline and Aeration: As with the original version, this update maintains the three options for water systems along with aeration treatment for yearlings. It also allows producers to customize for surface water, like a dugout, or drilling a well and having a storage tank.
The tool provides default values for various water system costs as a reference. However, these costs can vary widely from region to region, so beef producers are encouraged to determine the specific costs for their own operations and input those values accordingly.
The economic benefits outputs are based solely on additional weight gain from pumped water compared to direct water access. However, water systems offer numerous other advantages with potential economic returns not addressed by this tool including:
- Improvements in animal health due to reduced bacterial contamination, as well as a decrease in mastitis and foot rot from limiting cattle’s exposure to standing water.
- Environmental benefits are also significant, including the protection of water sources, preservation of wildlife habitats and more efficient pasture utilization.
- Pumping water into troughs can help extend the availability of water during dry years, when stock water resources may become limited throughout the grazing season.
“If you’re not taking a big picture view (of your water systems), you’re leaving money on the table.”
– Dr. Mary-Jane Orr, Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives
Using the Economics of Water Systems Calculator
To demonstrate the calculator’s functionality, we will use a cow-calf operation evaluating four off-site water system options:
- Windmill pump system
- Solar pump system
- Aboveground pipe system (with pump)
- Belowground pipe system (with pump)
Figure 1: Producer information for cow-calf pairs
This scenario assumes 100 cow-calf pairs (Figure 1). Ensure the projected sale price for calves is up to date, as it will directly impact the calculated economic benefits of the water system. Other assumptions include no requirement for a new water source and no purchase of new storage tanks. One new trough, priced at $1,750, is added for each system (Figure 2). This scenario sets all potential funding for off-site water to $0.
Figure 2. Assumptions for comparison of four water system types and the calculated total initial cost
Based on the numbers inputted and the rate of gain expected, additional weight gain is used to calculate the economic benefit of utilizing off-site watering systems (Figure 3).
In this scenario, the estimated economic benefit of using a pumped water source vs. direct access is $76/head.
Figure 3. Estimated economic benefits from increased calf weights due to the use of an off-site watering system
The calculated economic benefit is then compared to the cost of the water system (Figure 4). It is also used to calculate the number of years to pay off the initial cost of the water system (Figure 5). In this scenario, the solar-powered pump system is the only option that provides an economic benefit above the estimated initial cost of the system within the first year. The solar-powered system will pay off in less than one year, while the other systems will take up to two to three years, solely based on calf weight gain attributed to off-site watering.
Figure 4. Costs and benefits of implementing four off-site watering systems
Figure 5. Number of years required to pay off the initial cost of the off-site watering system
The Bottom Line
Water management is always vital. When water is scarce during drought, having a reliable system in place not only protects herd health but also supports pasture productivity and long-term sustainability. Proactive water planning today can help producers secure a resilient future for their operations.
Thanks to the following individuals for contributing their time and expertise to review the Water Systems Calculator and related resources found in this article:
- Dr. Mary-Jane Orr, General Manager, Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives
- Dwayne Summach, Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
- Jaclyn Horenburg, Producer Relations Specialist, Beef Farmers of Ontario
- Bree Patterson, Conservation Programs Specialist – Agriculture, Ducks Unlimited Canada
- Katie Trottier, Ruminant Livestock Specialist, Perennia Food & Agriculture
- Geoff Larkin, Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator, Agri-Commodity Management Association
- Kaley Segboer-Edge, VBP+ Coordinator and ABP Stewardship Lead, Alberta Beef Producers
learn more
- Water Systems for Beef Cattle (BCRC webpage)
- What Does It Cost (and Save) To Set Up a Water System? (BCRC article)
- What’s In Your (Stock) Water? (BCRC article)
- Three Producers Share Ideas That Improve Efficiency (BCRC article)
- Test Stock Water & Reduce Worry (BCRC webpage)
- 2021 Farm Management Survey (Canfax)
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