We always seem to be juggling several projects at once. Right now it’s planning to build a new barn and storefront and implementing a very extensive plumbing system on our ranch. Why? To provide what we refer to as irrigation in all the pastures on our ranch.
One of the most important parts of rotational grazing is getting water to each and every paddock where the animals are. It is also important, here in Texas, to get the animals access to water misters during the very hot months of July, August, and September. Most farm animals can’t sweat and need some means of cooling to help stay comfortable in the heat. Water misters give us the benefit of helping the animals not expend so much energy to stay cool, meaning less food wasted on panting and more energy spent on raising calves and making steak.
Our solution? Underground (aka tractor-proof, freeze-proof, and gopher-proof) water lines that will have valves every 300-400 feet that allow easy access to water for misters, waterers, and cattle troughs. We may even use it to water pastures some day.
Check out our progress so far! We are putting in over 3 miles worth of underground PVC, and upon completion, this project will allow us to run laying chickens and pigs in places that previously were not accessible to them because they can’t travel as far as cows to get water.
It is an interesting but a little overwhelming project. But Matt is a great planner and manager and things are going smoothly. The kiddos even got to help a bit!
Here is the beastly trencher with our farm hand, Zack, driving it.
It’s like a giant chainsaw…
…that can slice…
…right through the ground!
Beats digging it by hand any day!
What a cool machine!
Here are the teeth marks in the trench.
Going downhill was the fastest. And it went pretty fast!
Leading up to the wellhouse.
Downhill toward the dairy paddock.
A crossroads between two trenches.
We had to hurry to get the trenches in the driveway dug, lined with pipe, then refilled so traffic could flow!
Matt picked up the biggest load of PVC he had ever bought.
It might have been the biggest order of PVC ever sold by our local hardware store!
Matt collects a few pre-glued pipes at a time.
Hauling them takes skills!
And yes, we use an old gator as a wagon. Waste not, want not.
Lining up the pipes next to the trenches.
The boys are playing jump-pipe.
That sure is a long piece of pipe!
One of 4 wells that will supply the water.
Ready for pipe!
This section is a main supply and has 3 lines going out. Most areas will only have one line.
Ready for action.
Axl pats Daddy on the back for all his hard work.
It’s pretty fun to get dirty with Dad!
The Cadman men working hard!
Our family was privileged to attend this year’s American Pastured Poultry Producer’s Association Conference in Dallas. It was three days of wonderful networking and sharpening of farming minds. If you’re a farmer type, we highly recommend attending. If you’re a beginner, it’s an ocean of information to drink in as fast as you can. If you’re a middle-experience farmer, it’s an opportunity to gain the knowledge you need
What great pictures! The Cadman family knows how to work together to get things done — and also how to make wonderful memories! Congratulations on your accomplishments!
P.S. — That farm hand of yours, Zack, is also a really handsome and special guy! I’ll be forwarding this newsletter to him at SFA.