Water Supply and pipe layout to fields

[zyklon]

Cows are out but having water issues Like every summer. I’ve had to cut troughs off because when cattle drink out of one trough, the other one stops or slows, then they fight and nearly wreck them. I’ve 25mm pipe work going from the borehole shed which is 32mm 32mm up from the bottom of the borehole. don’t know if I should upgrade to 32mm going down the field or maybe run extra lengths down the field to help with capacity.

One other issue is the well pump doesn’t seem to get a break during this hot weather. Always seems to be going every 5-10minutes due to the amount of water going out. 300ltr pressure vessel is checked regularly.

What are your setups like? Some of you guys have troughs over hundreds of acres filling troughs for hundreds of cows so keen to know how you plan for that.

Also, what is you well setup? I have heard some people using storage tanks but not sure what the benefit of that is when you will need another pump.

 

[Kiss]

50mm ring main

32mm off to the troughs

 

[Netherfield]

When did you last have the pump lifted and filter cleaned?

 

[zyklon]

Pump was lifted a month ago. 65ft deep. Filter is changed every month. Wish I could buy a stainless steel one which you can wash out by hand and reuse.

 

[zyklon]

50mm ring main

32mm off to the troughs

By ring main, you mean have the end of the run return back to the well so water can go both ways?

 

[Fergieman]

Just put in a 50mm main up the middle of a group of fields with 32mm coming off to the troughs. This replaced a 25mm supply pipe which couldn't keep up with demand. We have a 10000lt storage tank and then pump to fields. This takes the pressure of the borehole pump.Its easier to maintain a pump at ground level rather than the one down the well. The tank also supplies the plate cooler to cool milk.

 

[Fergieman]

Big troughs in the fields help as well to have a bit of a buffer if they all want a drink at the same time.

 

[Nearly]

use low pressure nozzles in ballcock, bigger hole = more flow.

 

[C.J]

Cows are out but having water issues Like every summer. I’ve had to cut troughs off because when cattle drink out of one trough, the other one stops or slows, then they fight and nearly wreck them. I’ve 25mm pipe work going from the borehole shed which is 32mm 32mm up from the bottom of the borehole. don’t know if I should upgrade to 32mm going down the field or maybe run extra lengths down the field to help with capacity.

One other issue is the well pump doesn’t seem to get a break during this hot weather. Always seems to be going every 5-10minutes due to the amount of water going out. 300ltr pressure vessel is checked regularly.

What are your setups like? Some of you guys have troughs over hundreds of acres filling troughs for hundreds of cows so keen to know how you plan for that.

Also, what is you well setup? I have heard some people using storage tanks but not sure what the benefit of that is when you will need another pump.

No need for an extra pump - Just put a 10,000 litre tank at your highest point

 

[C.J]

use low pressure nozzles in ballcock, bigger hole = more flow.

This won't help with xyklon's current system , because it will reduce the pressure in the whole system and the higher troughs will stop filling.

 

[milkloss]

I take it you've got a big enough pump behind it?

 

[Cjm]

How many cows drinking and how big is the pump? Does the pump catch up overnight or is there a leak somewhere?

 

[zyklon]

Just put in a 50mm main up the middle of a group of fields with 32mm coming off to the troughs. This replaced a 25mm supply pipe which couldn't keep up with demand. We have a 10000lt storage tank and then pump to fields. This takes the pressure of the borehole pump.Its easier to maintain a pump at ground level rather than the one down the well. The tank also supplies the plate cooler to cool milk.

What sort or brand of coupler is on that pipe? Also, is there a ballcock at the top of the tank which cuts off the borewell pump when full? Would the two pumps not be running around the same time, as one is pumping to the fields etc, the borewell is topping up the storage tank?

 

[zyklon]

No need for an extra pump - Just put a 10,000 litre tank at your highest point

If no pump, how does the tank be an advantage?

Not sure of the size of the borehole pump but I stated it had to supply water for several hundred cows when it was being installed. Will check tomorrow for pump rating. What size would you class as big anyhow? I need to supply water for 250-300 dairy cows at this farm.

 

[Fergieman]

What sort or brand of coupler is on that pipe? Also, is there a ballcock at the top of the tank which cuts off the borewell pump when full? Would the two pumps not be running around the same time, as one is pumping to the fields etc, the borewell is topping up the storage tank?

Fusion fitting that welds the joint together. Less chance of leaks.

The pump to the field troughs can take it away faster than it comes out of the borehole! If I am spraying the 10,000lt tank can get near the bottom!

 

[C.J]

If no pump, how does the tank be an advantage?

Not sure of the size of the borehole pump but I stated it had to supply water for several hundred cows when it was being installed. Will check tomorrow for pump rating. What size would you class as big anyhow? I need to supply water for 250-300 dairy cows at this farm.

Pump your water using Off peak electricity or use a smaller pump so the water accumulates over night when your cows aren't drinking so much.

Another thing that can happen when a lower trough is filling ,is that if the ball valve of a higher trough is open ,then air will be sucked in to your system causing air locks. This shouldn't happen if your supply is sufficient but can be cured by fitting a one way valve to the higher trough.

 

[JD-Kid]

put in a water system few years ago 40 mm ring. and 32mm lead offs
1000-1200lt. trough
if I recall right pump was set to supply total water needed per day over 8 hours so quite a big flow pump
just a rough work out if cows drinking a 100 lts water a day would be 30000 lts water a day devide by 8 would mean around 3750 lts a hour or 62 lts a minute + water for wash downs etc etc
they might drink less than 100 but hot day there uptake will be huge. if at peak milking
also lift and how far it's pumping to will effect. the flow

 

[Danllan]

Big troughs in the fields help as well to have a bit of a buffer if they all want a drink at the same time.

They are herd beasts so demand is the issue, not supply. If you aren't putting in new troughs, just put an extra trough in, as large as is feasible, or two. The space taken up is minimal, the work is just fitting and stoning around them - far less than laying / re-laying your pipe system.