Air, food and water are the three bare essentials all living organisms need. Most cattle farm owners consider running clean water in the system is enough when it comes to water. But the selection of waterers is critically important to ensure the supply of fresh and disease-free water. On average, a farm cow consumes twenty gallons of water every day. Poorly maintained waterers and prone to bacterial and fungal growth are significant sources of herds’ illness. There are numerous designs available for farm waterers, but there are several factors you need to consider for picking the right livestock waterer for your farm. The most important ones are described below to help you purchase the waterer optimum for your farm needs and budget.
Size
The selection starts from the size of the waterer, and it depends upon the herd size you are looking for. The size should be optimum and accessible for the animals on your farm. Many farmers think about today, but it is essential to consider the herd size growth in the next five to ten years. It is better to install waterers on-farm according to the requirement of the next couple of years which will save cost and ease in operation while expanding your business. It sounds counterintuitive, but the global inflation is soaring farm infrastructure prices and buying durable waterers a few years earlier can save a lot of money you can spend elsewhere.
Design
The waterer design should be according to the site and location for installation. Conventionally, the concrete style waterer has been used, but nowadays, farms do not have the luxury of plentiful space. A compact and rigid waterer is available in various shapes and sizes that can be placed on the ground or mounted on walls. The correct design is necessary for picking the right livestock waterer that stores enough water for the farm animal but minimizes the stagnant water sitting in the reservoir.
Insulation
The insulated waterers are necessary for the farms located in areas with extreme weather conditions. The insulation in the waterer prevents freezing the water in cool winters and keeps water cool during hot summers. With this farm equipment, ensure water supply round the year with minimum effort. The insulated types of reservoirs are helpful to manage the farm hydration requirements with a minimum amount of water.
Cover
The design of waterers has been improved significantly, and now they are available with energy-free covers. The protection keeps water clean and free from microorganisms’ growth and evaporation loss. The sunlight exposure in standing water causes algae to grow and the open standing water gets easily contaminated by the bacteria and viruses in the air. The covered waterers reduce these risks and maintain the water quality.
Material
Generally, waterers are made from concrete, stainless steel, plastic and fibreglass. Here again, you must check your requirements, farm structure and budget. Every material has its advantages and disadvantages. The concrete waterer is durable but not movable. They are relatively expensive to build but last longer than any material. These waterers require onsite cleaning and maintenance. The fibreglass and plastic-made waterers are light, less expensive, and portable, but they are prone to crack with any abuse. Usually, these waterers have the shortest life compared to other materials. Still, these types offer diversity and versatility in their design, and features are the reason for their popularity and preferences. The steel waterers are also a good choice because of their flexibility and long life. But the rusting and regular maintenance requirements are also considered before purchasing.
SPI Plastics livestock waterers are made out of a material called polyethylene which creates a strong, corrosion free protection and has been designed to give you years of trouble-free operation. They are low maintenance, extremely easy to clean and are FDA and HPB approved. They even have rounded corners to prevent harm to your livestock.
Considering all the above factors, you can decide suitable livestock waterer for your herd needs and farm capacity. It is the least expensive but most significant part of your farm management. Picking the right livestock waterer will help you to boost milk production and weight for farm animals.
Contact SPI today to learn more about our livestock waterers.