As I write this article the current temperature is hovering around 4 degrees, but the forecast temperature by the time this article is published could be in the mid-fifties. Talk about a swing in temperatures.

Winter can be unpredictable. And for those who handle livestock, especially those who extend the grazing season deep into winter, providing adequate and a reliable water source in bitter cold temperatures can be a challenge.

There are several graziers in our area who feed stockpiled forage up and through March, so the question usually comes up: How do you provide water to cows on pasture when temperatures are below freezing that doesn’t dramatically affect the electric or water bill.

First and foremost, livestock in the winter don’t require that much water. We know on a hot summer day a beef cow can demand about 25 gallons and a dairy cow can require twice that. But on cooler days and through the winter they only need a few gallons.

Depending on the forage they are grazing, whether it’s a stored round bale or stockpiled forage, the moisture content can vary significantly, impacting their water requirements.

We have forage analysis that shows stockpiled fescue has nearly 80 percent moisture, while stored hay can be 15 percent. The cows grazing stockpile will likely drink very little water and some snow or heavy frost and they can get their daily needs just from grazing.

Since we can’t assume this, we still need to provide water access and in a pasture a mortar mixing tub fitted with a trough valve can adequately water 80-plus cows yet be easy enough to empty if it does freeze.

Another option, depending on the pasture location, is just allow them to come back to the barn for water as needed.

Grazed winter forage doesn’t require a back fence and cows won’t regraze stockpiled forage but if that option isn’t feasible or you want a more reliable source you need to insulate your watering system.

This doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money on manufactured insulated waterers. You can effectively make an insulated waterer that can be functional to zero and below.

One method that works is to take a 30-gallon drum cut to the appropriate height fitted with a float valve. Before the float you’ll want to install a tee with a 6 to 8 inch piece of copper tubing that is aimed at the opening of the lid.

Crimping the tubing so it only sprays a fine stream of water allows the water in the tub to circulate. This drum is wrapped in 2 to 4 inches of insulation and covered with a larger sized drum for extra protection.

The waterer is then fitted with an insulated lid and overflow to allow the water from the circulator to escape. The lid and bottom are insulated with 3 inches of rigid insulation and the garden hose supplying the water is wrapped in pipe insulation.

This can be connected to a frost-free hydrant that is wrapped in insulation and covered with another section of plastic drum for added protection.

Those using what I’ve described above can effectively water cattle to 5 below.

If you’re interested in learning more about winter watering systems or how you can extend the grazing season on your farm, feel free to contact our office.

Andy Gaver is a conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Butler County.