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!