Coyote Ridge FarmsWelcome To Our Rural Blog

This morning I had time to work on one of the farm’s remote watering stations for the most eastern paddock/pasture.  Last fall I had purchased a few 500 ft rolls of 1″, 160 psi, black poly water line.  My intent was to install it last year, but I ran out of time.  Today it would get done.

After chores, I unrolled approx. 1500 ft (3 – 500 ft rolls) of waterline along a primary fence-line and after lunch, I connected them together.  Approx. 2200 ft from the barn we have the watering station in place and functional.  The experts say that if cattle have water nearby, they will drink more and eat more.  In the past, the cattle would come home to get water [maybe] once each day.  The time they spent walking to water is time they should be eating.  OK, I get it… it makes sense.  Then, I saw the proof on the importance of having a nearby water supply.  Within an hour of having the new water tank filled, I saw the cattle walk from their hay, about 60 ft away, to the water and back again.  This time, individuals drank water at their leisure.  Most of the time, when the water is some distance away, the cattle move as a herd.  I was impressed to see this change in behavior.  When we get the goats and sheep out on the paddocks, I assume we will see the same behavior with those types of critters as well.

I think it worth mentioning… while I was observing the cattle eating and drinking, I heard some Canadian Geese honking away.  At first I couldn’t locate them.  Then I spotted them.  They were across the creek – 2 large Canadian geese, playing in a pond.  This was something I had never seen before.  It was a pretty neat experience.

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