DIFFUSE pollution is becoming an ever greater concern for livestock producers with many different factors increasing the risk, but there are a number of solutions to provide adequate drinking water for stock without poaching the nearby land or dunging in to the watercourse.
With other factors including the leaching of fertilisers and pesticides, and cultivating too close to the watercourse, it is essential that farmers do their upmost to reduce diffuse pollution or it could lead to a breach in regulations and, subsequently, financial penalties.
There are, however, a number of options to supply alternative water sources for livestock, as was demonstrated at an open day organised by SAC Consulting and the Scottish Government’s new Farm Advisory Service (FAS) at Brockholes Farm, Grantshouse, late last year.
At the time of the meeting, SEPA representatives had visited 600 farms in the Tweed catchment area. With funding from ScotGov and support from SEPA, SRUC was able to set up three trial stations in the Borders as well as further trials in the east and west of Scotland.
Already, simple improvements made by farmers to current watering locations in the Eye Water and Pease Bay catchment areas have resulted in significant improvements in water quality at Eyemouth Beach.
As an added help to farmers, there is funding available towards alternative watering for field-grazed livestock via ScotGov’s Agri-environment Climate Scheme.
Donald Dunbar, senior agricultural consultant at SAC Consulting
Solar
USING solar energy via photovoltaic panels gives farmers two options – to either power a battery to then power a pump, or by powering the pump directly.
It can also be rigged to supply further troughs as part of a gravity-fed system, as well as power an electric fence used to limit access to an affected area of waterside land.
This system is also easy to install and maintain, with the extraction point often fitted directly in to the river bed meaning it does not interfere with the flow of water. It should be noted, however, that when the river is in spate and the water is higher than the pump, there is a degree of sediment build up as well as a risk of frogs and voles getting caught up.
To reduce this risk, it is advised to install a filter on the outflow pipe to the gravity-fed trough in order to stop it blocking.
The entire system powering the pump directly at Brockholes, including the trough, PV panels, etc, came in at the £2000-£2500 mark, while a similar system powering a battery came in at £1550, which included full installation, an 8ft trough and 24v battery.
However, it should be noted that PV panels are getting cheaper and farmers may already have some of the materials on farm.
It should also be noted that there are currently no ‘off the shelf’ designs, resulting in a design element before installation.
A cluster of cattle-operated pumps being demonstrated by Donald Dunbar
Animal-operated pasture pump
THIS system, which uses the same extraction design as the solar-powered system and a non-return panel to stop water flowing back to the river, is quick to install, very robust and easy to maintain.
Water percolates into the chamber where it is held prior to the animal operating it, and it is expected that livestock will learn to use it in just a few days.
A pasture pump, which shifts around 0.6 litres at a time and costs around £250, gives stock owners two options – to install a single pump which is capable of supplying 15 cattle (but not sheep alone as they are unable to operate the pump), or installing a cluster of three or four attached to a suitable, heavy platform.
If using the latter option, it is important to beware of fields that are liable to flood and make sure the platform is not likely to float away.
Initially at Brockholes, the stretch of river wasn’t fenced off and the cattle automatically starting using the pumps as well as a large water trough.
Tom Stevenson shows the group how the Papa pump operates
Ram pump
A HYDRAULIC ram pump uses the energy of the water to pump a smaller flow of water to supply drinking troughs, meaning it requires no alternative power source other than the energy of the flowing water.
It often sits on top of the ground rather than in the water, and can transport 60 litres per minute or greater depending on the setting.
The Papa pump on display at Brockholes was capable of supplying troughs up to seven or eight miles away, although the water should be allowed to run freely or it will not work and the water may then freeze in a frost.
Although it won’t stop running automatically, as with some of the other systems, the overflow can be used to gravity feed other troughs.
The total cost for this system, including a pump, two filters, pressure tank and 32m pipe, comes in at £1200 plus VAT.
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