Solar powered livestock watering

Livestock have traditionally been turned out to pasture and allowed to walk through and drink from any slough, creek, river, lake or dugout. It is increasingly being recognized by livestock producers and other water users that allowing livestock direct access to surface water sources is a concern due to impacts on water quality and detrimental effects on the livestock itself. The main objective of this project is to provide a safe, reliable supply of good-quality water for livestock while reducing negative impacts on water quality and the environment in general, and to enhance range management, it is often necessary to convey water from the source to a remote location. However, the availability of power supplies on the open range is often limited, so some alternate form of energy is required for water conveyance. One water-conveyance option available to producers is a photovoltaic or solar-powered pump.