Water troughs are an essential part of livestock management. When we think of maintaining animal health on our farms, water is primal. From ensuring livestock are well-hydrated to retaining water in our silage harvest, water’s value is as important as irrigating our lands. In the process, we develop the sustainable use of water.
Water is a scarce resource and must be conserved, too. That is why finding the right water trough products is the key. You may choose poly stock troughs over concrete ones, but either of them brings the same noble purpose. When making a purchase, consider the criteria below:
Your Requirements
Your needs always come first. For better farm management, you must guarantee that you do not overshoot on farm inputs as many, like the water trough, are fixed costs. Working within a budget should be a farmer’s mastery.
When choosing a water trough, see to it that it is designed for the environmental conditions of your place. Does it often rain in your area? Is it too hot or dry during the summer? The water trough’s material must endure the elements. Another is the type of livestock. Will they stay outdoors most of the year? Will they be able to comfortably drink in the water trough? Find water troughs that are designed to fit particular animal types.
Product Type
Which type of water trough should you buy? The correct size, material, and accessories are what you should look for. Each type of water trough brings a unique combination of all these. Mostly, water troughs used in farms are made of concrete and plastic.
Precast concrete troughs have a long lifespan, but they are harder to transport and install. They also come in different sizes (e.g. round, rectangular, cup-and-saucer) and are best for farms with bores to maintain constant charging.
Poly troughs are the reverse of concrete. They are lightweight and are, therefore, easier to transport. Choose those that are manufactured as a single mould to avoid splitting and cracking, which are usual issues with plastics exposed to the heat of the sun.
Features and Add-ons
Many troughs are sold with extra features that are built to improve water delivery and storage. Some of these come with quick release covers as well as easy drainage features.
You can now also buy troughs that come with a valve system, which helps regulate water flow. When choosing one, go for polyethylene and stainless valves to combat corrosion as well as damage by wildlife. Valves with float attachments (instead of rope or chain) are also better in fighting wear and tear.
Another popular feature is a rubber bung. Placed at the base, it makes cleaning or draining easier. Regular cleaning not only prolongs the material’s durability, but it also prevents algal growth.
An adequately watered herd means higher productivity. Ideal animal health and welfare conditions are also reached by using equipment that sustains the production capacities of the farm. Delivering and storing water trough high-quality equipment contributes to better profit targets and sustainable use of resources.
