Proper hydration is one of the most critical aspects of cattle management. Adult cattle can consume between 5 to 30 gallons of water daily depending on their size, production status, and environmental conditions. Cattle water troughs are traditionally the ‘go to’ solution for this essential resource on most farms and ranches across the country. But are traditional troughs always the best solution? Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of cattle water troughs and why many producers are making the switch to frost-free automatic waterers.
When compared to automatic watering units, traditional water troughs remain one of the lowest up front cost options for providing water to cattle. A basic 100 gallon polyethylene trough can be purchased for $100 to $300, while more durable options like galvanized steel may cost $300 to $700 depending on size.
It doesn’t get much easier than kicking a cattle trough out of the bed of your truck and filling it with water. There are no moving parts and the main thing that can go wrong is a leak or break in the trough itself, at which point most choose to purchase a new one.
Access to clean, fresh water is essential for cattle health. Dehydration can lead to decreased feed intake, reduced milk production in dairy cattle, weight loss, and increased susceptibility to disease. Dr. James Thompson, veterinarian at Great Plains Cattle Health Consultants, notes that “a 20% reduction in water intake can result in up to a 30% decrease in feed consumption and significant production losses.”
Water troughs, when properly maintained, ensure that cattle have reliable access to water throughout the day, helping to prevent these costly health complications.
Allowing cattle direct access to ponds, streams, and other natural water sources can lead to erosion, contamination, and degradation of these important ecological features. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service reports that cattle with unrestricted access to natural water bodies can increase nitrogen and phosphorus levels by up to 50% in surrounding watersheds.
Water troughs create a designated drinking area away from these sensitive environments, protecting water quality for wildlife and downstream users while still meeting the herd’s needs.
All water troughs require regular cleaning to remain effective. Algae, biofilm, and sediment build up can quickly render a trough unsanitary.
The cleaning process typically involves draining the trough, scrubbing surfaces with brushes (and sometimes mild detergents), and refilling. This never ending cycle siphons valuable time and labor resources from other projects. The alternative is to ignore the water quality, which can lead to decreased water intake, which can cause lower feed intake, and ultimately less than optimal production.
In regions with cold winters, freezing water presents a significant challenge. Frozen troughs not only deny cattle access to water but can also damage the trough itself. If you are in a cold climate, I’m sure you’re familiar with the time-consuming task of breaking ice!
Perhaps one of the most significant drawbacks of traditional troughs is the constant need for refilling. Even if you’re lucky enough to have hydrants in every pasture, there is still the need to manually go around to the troughs, put in the hose, and wait for it to fill. If you’re like most, you’ve probably forgotten about a filling trough once or twice, only to come back hours or days later and find it overflowing.
For operations without direct water lines to each pasture,the filling is even more labor intensive and often involves filling and hauling water in a truck to where it’s needed… only now you have to fill twice (once to fill the truck and a second time to empty the water from the truck into the cattle water trough).
Research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that manual water delivery can account for up to 15-20% of total labor costs on cow-calf operations with traditional watering systems.
Standing water in troughs is susceptible to various types of contamination:
A study published in the Journal of Animal Science found that cattle provided with clean water exhibited 10% higher weight gains compared to those drinking from contaminated sources. Dr. Lisa Brenner, animal nutritionist, explains, “Cattle are surprisingly sensitive to water quality. They’ll often reduce consumption if water is contaminated, even slightly, leading to decreased performance.”
Lightweight, affordable, and resistant to corrosion, these are popular for smaller operations or temporary installations. However, they can become brittle with UV exposure and will typically require replacement more often than metal or concrete cattle troughs.
Galvanized steel and aluminum options offer durability but come at a higher price point. They conduct temperature more readily, making freezing a greater concern in winter and potentially heating water to unpalatable temperatures in summer.
These permanent fixtures are extremely durable but difficult to relocate and repair. They provide excellent temperature stability but are the most expensive to install initially.
These systems connect directly to water lines and use valves to provide consistent water, reducing labor dramatically.
For producers battling freezing temperatures, labor constraints, or water quality issues, frost-free automatic waterers offer compelling advantages over traditional troughs.
Frost-free automatic waterers prevent freezing because all water remains below the frost line when not in use, completely removing the need for electricity or any type of heater.
In addition, since frost free systems are providing ‘on-demand’ water, there is never any water in the bowl when they are not in use. Cattle push on a paddle which calls water to the bowl for drinking. Since the water is coming up from below the frost line, water is typically about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, year-round!
Because there is never any standing water in the bowl when not in use, many of the ‘cons’ of traditional cattle water troughs are non-existent. Frost free automatic waterers will provide fresh, clean water, EVERY USE… just like when you turn on your hydrants!
While installation requires more planning than simply placing a trough on the ground, the long-term benefits often justify this effort. Most systems install very similar to a traditional yard hydrant. Trench your waterline to where you’d like to install, put some washed rock underneath for drainage, and backfill – that’s it! No concrete pad and no electricity required. Frost free automatic waterers are usually quicker and easier to install than traditional heated waterers.
The initial investment for quality frost-free automatic waterers typically ranges from $450 to $750 per unit, slightly higher than traditional troughs. However, the economics become favorable when considering:
William Chang, agricultural economist at Prairie Agricultural College, states: “Our cost analyses show that automatic waterers typically pay for themselves within 2-3 years on operations with more than 50 head, primarily through labor savings and improved production efficiency.”
While no system is maintenance-free, frost free automatic waterers require significantly less attention:
While traditional cattle water troughs have served ranchers well for generations and remain cost-effective for certain situations, their disadvantages in terms of labor requirements, freezing issues, and contamination concerns are substantial. For most modern cattle operations, particularly those in colder climates or with labor constraints, frost-free automatic waterers represent a worthwhile investment.
The initial cost is quickly offset by labor savings, improved herd health, and operational efficiency. As weather patterns become increasingly variable and labor costs continue to rise, automatic watering systems provide reliability and consistency that traditional troughs cannot match.
By evaluating your specific operation’s needs, climate challenges, and labor availability, you can determine if making the switch to frost-free automatic waterers makes sense for your cattle enterprise. For most producers who have made the transition, the only regret commonly expressed is not having done so sooner.
If you’ve enjoyed this article, and would like to learn more, please check out our automatic cattle waterers.
