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Paddock Designs• Hub and Wheel

– Central water, gathering point

• Texas Block– Water in every paddock

• New Zealand Block– Lane to water and paddocks

• Strip Break– Front and back fence– Frequent moves

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• Water Location• Water limits paddock design.• Water will control utilization.• Water in every paddock ideal.• Permanent water points become focus of

nutrient export and animal impact.• Lanes to water can become seasonal

“sacrifice areas.”

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Water Quantity

Livestock Water needed per

Animal (50 Day)̊

Water needed per

Animal (90 Day)̊

Dry Cow 8-12 gallons 20-30 gallons

Lactating Beef 12-20 gallons 25-35 gallons

Lactating Dairy 20-30 gallons 30-40 gallons

600 lb Steers 6-9 gallons 10-15 gallons

Horses 8-12 gallons 20-25 gallons

Sheep and goats 2-3 gallons 3-4 gallons

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Mississippi State , 2008

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Lanes

Diagrams Courtesy : Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Stabilized Stream Crossings

The stabilized stream crossing has been sloped 5:1 and dug 10” below the level of the stream. Sand is then hauled in.

The sand after it has been spread, 3 inches deep.

Geotextile fabric (8 mil.) is next placed on the sand. We used rebar with washers welded on top to secure the fabric in place. The rebar is driven into the ground on all corners and on the upstream edge.

Next we put down four sheets of geocell. The geocell is 6” deep and comes in 8’ x 20’ honeycomb sheets. Notice that the corners are held in place by temporary rebar driven into the ground.

The geotextile fabric in place.

Rock is then hauled in and dumped onto the geocell. It fills the honeycomb structure and remains in place. Before the tractor drives over the recently filled section of geocell, the rebar is removed to prevent puncturing the tires.

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Pipe lays flat on the bottom of the pond anchor by a cement block and the upright pieces have several holes drilled in them to allow water flow into but not wildlife.

Gravity Flow

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Gravity Flow

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Solar

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Folds down for highway transportEasily moved with an all terrain vehicle600 Galloon capacity27 lineal ft. of drinking areaLow trough for calves to drinkExtremely balanced and easy to set up

Solar

ExampleSundog SolarLink @ powerflexfence.com

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Portable Water Systems

Watering Systems

Fence-Line Weaning

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Used tires for tanks

When the water source is near their grazing, even herd animals tend to drink individually. If they have to walk a distance to water, they tend to travel as a group. The more watering points and the closer they are, the better the nutrient distribution.

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Sling Pump & Nose Pump

• Designing a water system for future expansion may be the best option for beginners with limited funds.

o Many producers use pipes and portable waters to create movable water systems and design permanent systems based on this experience.

• Flexiblity in locating water within paddocks should be part of any final design.

Henson Bottoms220 Acres

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Water Wagons

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Questions?