Clem Sturmfels, land management extension officer
The impact of the Victorian fires on farmers and livestock has been significant. Along with feed, a reliable supply of good quality water is essential for stock retained on affected properties.
Water is critical to avoiding health issues, maintaining production and meeting animal welfare needs. Unfortunately, in many cases, water tanks, pipes, troughs and pumps have been destroyed or damaged due to these fires. Even where this infrastructure is still operational, if larger numbers of stock are confined to a small area of the farm, it can result in an inadequate water supply.
At this time of year, beef cattle can consume up to 100 L per day and sheep up to 10 L per day, with lactating animals requiring even more. At these rates, a semitrailer load of water would be needed every 6 to 7 days for 50 cattle or 500 sheep.
While meeting daily water demand is essential, it is equally important to ensure trough flow rates are adequate. Low flow rates can lead to health and welfare problems, increased competition at troughs and damage to water infrastructure or surrounding fencing.
Under normal conditions, livestock should be able to access their full daily water requirement within a 4-hour period. This helps manage peak demand, reduce competition and support dry matter intake.
For 50 cattle or 500 sheep, this equates to a required trough flow rate of 21 L/min. In emergency situations, a lower flow rate may be acceptable, provided animals can still access enough water and are monitored daily.
A typical emergency supply might involve a tank, a 100 m length of 2-inch (50 mm) polyethylene pipe and a trough. To achieve a flow rate of 21 L/min, a minimum 2 m head of water would be required.
This could be achieved by maintaining a base volume of 2 m of water or by raising the tank up on a mound of well compacted soil. When setting up an emergency water supply consider:
- raising your tank on a compacted soil mound to increase trough flow rate
- using appropriate fittings that allow quick and easy tanker connection
- choosing high-quality brand name pipe and fittings for durability
- using a trough designed for easy cleaning
- placing troughs to ensure good drainage (e.g. on a raised mound)
- ensuring trough height suits all classes of stock
- ensuring adequate trough length of 4 m for stock numbers described above
- installing tanks, troughs, pipes and fittings in a way that minimises the risk of stock injury.
For more on fire recovery support and information, visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires or call 136 186.
