Portable Solar-Powered Waterer

Portable Solar-Powered Waterer LIVESTOCK Beef 26-4-19 "Our new portable, solar-powered waterer can be used anywhere there's a pond or river. It delivers a much cleaner supply of water than when animals wade into the water themselves," says David Quick, DQ Holdings, Inc., Saskatoon, Sask. The two-wheeled, 28-ft. long unit can be pulled behind any pickup. It comes with a 900-gal. plastic reservoir on back, a 500-gal. tank for cows in front, and a 100-gal. tank for calves located under the reservoir. The solar panel powers a 1 hp centrifugal pump that floats on top of the water source. A pair of jacks are used to let the trailer down on the ground, one on front and one on back. Then you put the pump in the water and connect a hose from it to the reservoir and also run a wire from the pump to the solar panel. A float inside the 500-gal. tank controls the water level in both tanks. "This setup keeps animals from muddying up the water. When a cow drinks higher quality water she has more milk for the calf," says Quick."The solar panel pivots so no matter which way you park the unit you can set the panel to face the sun. It comes with a 24-volt backup battery in case of cloudy weather. "The reservoir is too low for cows to go under so calves can drink by themselves without any competition. A 4-ft. wide wooden platform around the waterer preserves the grass and also keeps the animals' hooves dry. Quick says the unit can supply enough water for a 100-cow herd. Sells for $8,500 (Canadian). A smaller model designed for a 50-cow herd sells for less. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, DQ Holdings, Inc., 130 Girgulis Crescent, Saskatoon, Sask. S7K 6N9 Canada (ph 306 242-7365; E-mail: info@balebuncher.com).

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