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| I put in livestock waterers on NRCS cost share programs. As far as the traditional automatic waterers, I put in more Ritchies than anything. In Missouri, about every MFA is a Ritchie dealer so parts are readily available if needed. If you have electric close, I'd put in a heated one. They are easily adjusted and seem to work well. They energy free waterers are great if you have 15 or 20 cows drinking from them, they get their heat from the warm water being replaced and a heat tube buried under the waterer. If the cows aren't drinking from it, it will freeze at some point in time.
Concrete waterers are popular around central MO. Don't be afraid to bury them to within 6 inches of the side of the bowl. Keep the dirt mounded up over the top, and get one with a trickle valve that you turn on when it gets cold. This keeps the water moving, moving water will not freeze. Choose one that the trickle valve is easy to get to, it will be cold weather when you turn it on.
I have put in 2 Cobetts, I like them but you have to dig a 5 foot deep hole under them for the warmth of a heat tube. Around here, you can get into rock getting that deep so that is a consideration.
Choose a waterer that is simple to maintain, they won't fail when it's warm outside.
Mark | |
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heated livestock waterer ?
