While there are many potential herd health and environmental benefits from utilizing a watering system, the main economic benefit is the potential increase in weight gain. The Economics of Water Systems Calculator is based on a study by Lardner et al. (2005) which analyzed the results of pumped water versus direct access over two periods, early summer (Period 1) and late summer (Period 2). Calves whose dams drank from water troughs gained an average of 0.09 lbs per day more than calves whose dams had direct access to the dugout.
Lardner’s research also found that both aerated and untreated pumped water affect yearling steer performance compared to direct access to dugout. Yearling steers gained 0.07 – 0.26 lbs per day more when drinking from water troughs, depending on the time of year and water aeration.
The Economics of Water Systems Calculator has two interfaces – one for cow-calf pairs and one for yearling grassers. Input information from your operation into the yellow cells to determine the initial cost of different water systems and the number of years to pay off the initial cost.
Lardner, H. A., et al. “The effect of water quality on cattle performance on pasture.” Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 56.1 (2005): 97-104.
Economics of Water Systems Calculator
Water Systems Cost-Benefit Calculator
User Guide:
It is recommended to input values customized to your specific situation. Enter your values in the yellow cells.Producer Information - Cow/Calf
Peak daily water use per cow-calf pair (litres per day)
e.g. A 1300 lb cow/calf pair needs 43 - 67 litres per day. The high number is for peak demand on hot summer days above 25°C.
e.g. A 1300 lb cow/calf pair needs 43 - 67 litres per day. The high number is for peak demand on hot summer days above 25°C.
What is your herd size for this site? (# of cow-calf pairs)
Total estimated volume needed (litres per day)
Projected Sale Price for Calves ($/lb)
Water System Information
Well
J14:
D15:
Trough
J18:
Storage Tank
J22:
D23:
The storage tank is a separate item if you want one day's worth of
water available to the trough.
Estimated Initial Costs of Watering Systems
- Prices for the well, trough, and storage tank are automatically populated from the Water System Information section.
- If a well or storage tank is not needed in any water system, it will not appear in this section.
- Enter the required units for the pump, pipe, well, trough, and storage tank. If any of these are not needed, enter 0 units.
- Water system costs can vary widely based on factors such as water source type, distance, number of livestock, and topography.
| Windmill Pump System | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Price ($/unit) | Units |
| Windmill Pump (incl. windmill, steel tower, plastic pipe, windmill pump cylinder and battery) |
B31:
|
C30:
|
| Well |
B32:
|
C32:
|
| Trough |
B33:
|
C33:
|
| Storage Tank |
B34:
|
C34:
|
| Other Costs (e.g. concrete pad/geotextile fabric/gravel, miscellaneous costs) |
B35:
|
– |
| Total Initial Cost B36: |
|
|
| Annual Power Cost ($/year) |
|
|
| Annual Maintenance Cost ($/year) Check the box to use default maintenance costs (1% of Total Initial Costs) |
|
|
| Total Annual Cost | |
|
| Solar-powered Pump System | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Price ($/unit) | Units |
| Solar-powered Pump (incl. solar panel, pump, plastic pipe, battery and miscellaneous hardware) |
E31:
|
F30:
|
| Well |
E32:
|
F32:
|
| Trough |
E33:
|
F33:
|
| Storage Tank |
E34:
|
F34:
|
| Other Costs (e.g. concrete pad/geotextile fabric/gravel, miscellaneous costs) |
E35:
|
– |
| Total Initial Cost E36: | ||
| Annual Power Cost ($/year) |
|
|
| Annual Maintenance Cost ($/year) Check the box to use default maintenance costs (1% of Total Initial Cost) |
|
|
| Total Annual Cost | ||
| Underground Pipe System | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Price ($/unit) | Units |
| Underground Pipe and Pump
(incl. trenching and pipe, hook-ups, pump) *The default price is based on $1.50/foot for pipeline and installation for 1.5 miles and a $3,500 solar powered submersible pump. |
B47:
|
C46:
|
| Well |
B48:
|
C48:
|
| Trough |
B49:
|
C49:
|
| Storage Tank |
B50:
|
C50:
|
| Other Costs |
B51:
|
|
| Total Initial Cost |
B52:
|
|
| Annual Power Cost ($/year) |
|
|
| Annual Maintenance Cost ($/year) Check the box to use default maintenance costs (1% of Total Initial Costs) |
||
| Total Annual Cost | ||
| Aboveground Pipe System | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Price ($/unit) | Units |
| Aboveground Pipe and Pump
(incl. trenching and pipe, hook-ups, pump) *The default price is based on $1.20/foot for pipeline and installation for 1.5 miles and a $3,500 solar powered submersible pump. |
E47:
|
F46:
|
| Well |
E48:
|
F48:
|
| Trough |
E49:
|
F49:
|
| Storage Tank |
E50:
|
F50:
|
| Other Costs |
E51:
|
|
| Total Initial Cost |
E52:
|
|
| Annual Power Cost ($/year) | ||
| Annual Maintenance Cost ($/year) Check the box to use default maintenance costs (2% of Total Initial Costs) |
||
| Total Annual Cost |
|
|
Potential Funding
- Note: Different funding programs vary in eligible expenses, cost-sharing ratios, maximum grant amounts, application timelines, etc. For accurate estimates, please refer to the specific program guidelines and consult the program administrator.
| Total Potential Funding ($) | Windmill Pump System | Solar-powered Pump System | Underground Pipe System | Aboveground Pipe System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Potential Additional Weight Gain - Pumped Water vs. Direct Access
- While there are many potential herd health and environmental benefits from utilizing a watering system, the main economic benefit is the potential increase in weight gain. The following is based on research by Lardner et al. (2005), which analyzed the results of pumped water versus direct access over two periods, early summer (Period 1) and late summer (Period 2). Lardner’s research found that pumping water without treating it (via aeration or coagulation) appeared to be the most effective option for cows and calves.
| Time Period | Period 1 (May 23 - Jul 31) |
Period 2 (Aug 1 - Sept 30) |
Whole Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| # of Days | |||
| Additional ADG on cows (lb/day/head) | - | ||
| Total Additional Weight Gain per cow (lb/head/year) | |||
| Additional ADG on calves (lb/day/head) | - | ||
| Total Additional Weight Gain per calf (lb/head/year) | |||
| Estimated Economic Benefits from Increased Calf Weights ($/head) |
Results
- Note: The economic benefits calculated in the tool are based solely on potential additional weight gain from pumped water compared to direct water access. But producers should also consider the additional benefits related to animal health, pasture utilization, and environmental sustainability when evaluating the overall value of their water system.
| Cost & Benefits | Number of Years to Pay off Initial Cost (excl. Maintenance) | Net Benefits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Initial Cost ($/pair) | Maintenance Cost ($/pair/year) | Potential Funding ($/pair) | Benefit ($/pair/year) | Net Benefits in 5 Years ($/pair) | Net Benefits in 7 Years ($/pair) | ||
| Windmill Pump | |||||||
| Solar-powered Pump | |||||||
| Underground Pipe | |||||||
| Aboveground Pipe | |||||||
Results
Yearling Grasser Interface
User Guide:
It is recommended to input values customized to your specific situation. Enter your values in the yellow cells.Producer Information – Yearling Grassers
Daily Water Consumption per steer
(litres per day)
e.g. A 900 lb feeder needs 26-41 litres per day. The high number is for peak demand
on hot summer days above 25°C.
What is your herd size for this site?
(# of yearlings)
Total estimated volume needed
(litres per day)
Projected Sale Price for Yearlings
($/lb)
Water System Information
Well
O14:
D15:
Trough
D18:
Storage Tank
O22:
D23:
The storage tank is a separate item if you want one day's worth of water available to the trough.
Estimated Initial Costs of Watering Systems
- Prices for the well, trough, and storage tank are automatically populated from the Water System Information section above.
- If a well or storage tank is marked as not needed in any water system, it will not appear in this section.
- Enter the required units for the pump, pipe, well, trough, and storage tank. If any of these are not needed for a specific system, enter 0 unit.
- Note: The cost of water systems, particularly pipeline systems, can vary widely based on factors such as the type of water source, distance between water source and endpoint, number of livestock being supplied, topography, and other considerations.
| Windmill Pump System | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Price ($/unit) | Units |
| Windmill Pump (incl. windmill, steel tower, plastic pipe, windmill pump cylinder and battery) |
B31:
|
C30:
|
| Well |
B32:
|
C32:
|
| Trough |
B33:
|
C33:
|
| Storage Tank |
B34:
|
C34:
|
|
Other Costs (e.g. concrete pad/geotextile fabric/gravel, miscellaneous costs) |
B35:
|
– |
| Total Initial Cost |
B36:
|
|
| Annual Power Cost ($/year) |
B37:
|
|
| Annual Maintenance Cost ($/year) check the box to use default maintenance costs (1% of Total Initial Cost) |
|
|
| Total Annual Cost |
|
|
| Solar-powered Pump System | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Price ($/unit) | Units |
| Solar-powered Pump (incl. solar panel, pump, plastic pipe, battery and miscellaneous hardware) |
E31:
|
F30:
|
| Well |
E32:
|
F32:
|
| Trough |
E33:
|
F33:
|
| Storage Tank |
E34:
|
F34:
|
| Other Costs (e.g. concrete pad/geotextile fabric/gravel, miscellaneous costs) |
E35:
|
– |
| Total Initial Cost |
E36:
|
|
| Annual Power Cost ($/year) | ||
| Annual Maintenance Cost ($/year) check the box to use default maintenance costs (1% of Total Initial Cost) |
||
| Total Annual Cost | ||
| Windmill Aeration Water System | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Price ($/unit) | Units |
| Aeration and Windmill Pump (incl. aeration treatment system, windmill, steel tower, plastic pipe, windmill pump cylinder and battery) (check the box to use default price or enter your own numbers in the yellow cells) |
H31:
|
I30:
|
| Well |
H32:
|
I32:
|
| Trough |
H33:
|
I33:
|
| Storage Tank |
H34:
|
I34:
|
| Other Costs (e.g. concrete pad/geotextile fabric/gravel, miscellaneous costs) |
H35:
|
- |
| Total Initial Cost |
H36:
|
|
| Annual Power Cost ($/year) |
|
|
| Annual Maintenance Cost ($/year) check the box to use default maintenance costs (1% of Total Initial Cost) |
|
|
| Total Annual Cost |
|
|
| Solar-powered Aeration Water System | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Price ($/unit) | Units |
| Aeration and Solar-powered Pump
(incl. solar panel, pump, plastic pipe, battery and miscellaneous hardware) |
K31:
|
L30:
|
| Well |
K32:
|
L32:
|
| Trough |
K33:
|
L33:
|
| Storage Tank |
K34:
|
L34:
|
| Other Costs (e.g. concrete pad/geotextile fabric/gravel, miscellaneous costs) |
K35:
|
– |
| Total Initial Cost |
K36:
|
|
| Annual Power Cost ($/year) | ||
| Annual Maintenance Cost ($/year) check the box to use default maintenance costs (1% of Total Initial Cost) |
|
|
| Total Annual Cost | ||
| Underground Pipe System | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Price ($/unit) | Units |
| Underground Pipe and Pump
incl. trenching and pipe, hook-ups, pump *The default price is based on $1.50/foot for pipeline and installation for 1.5 miles and a $3,500 solar powered submersible pump. |
B47:
|
C46:
|
| Well |
B48:
|
C48:
|
| Trough |
B49:
|
C49:
|
| Storage Tank |
B50:
|
C50:
|
| Other Costs (e.g. concrete pad/geotextile fabric/gravel, miscellaneous costs) |
B51:
|
|
| Total Initial Cost |
B52:
|
|
| Annual Power Cost ($/year) | ||
| Annual Maintenance Cost ($/year) check the box to use default maintenance costs (1% of Total Initial Cost) |
||
| Total Annual Cost | ||
| Aboveground Pipe System | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Price ($/unit) | Units |
| Aboveground Pipe and Pump
(incl. trenching and pipe, hook-ups, pump)
*The default price is based on $1.20/foot for pipeline and installation for 1.5 miles and a $3,500 solar powered submersible pump. |
E47:
|
F46:
|
| Well |
E48:
|
F48:
|
| Trough |
E49:
|
F49:
|
| Storage Tank |
E50:
|
E50:
|
| Other Costs (e.g. concrete pad/geotextile fabric/gravel, miscellaneous costs) |
E51:
|
|
| Total Initial Cost |
E52:
|
|
| Annual Power Cost ($/year) | ||
| Annual Maintenance Cost ($/year) check the box to use default maintenance costs (2% of Total Initial Cost) |
||
| Total Annual Cost | ||
Potential Funding
- Note: Different funding programs vary in eligible expenses, cost-sharing ratios, maximum grant amounts, application timelines, etc. For accurate estimates, please refer to the specific program guidelines and consult the program administrator.
| Total Potential Funding ($) | Windmill Pump System | Solar-powered Pump System | Underground Pipe System | Aboveground Pipe System | Windmill Aeration Water System | Solar-powered Aeration Water System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Potential Additional Weight Gain - Water Treatments vs. Direct Access
- While there are many potential herd health and environmental benefits from utilizing a watering system, the main economic benefit is the potential increase in weight gain. The following is based on research by Lardner et al. (2005), which analyzed the results of pumped water versus direct access over two periods, early summer (Period 1) and late summer (Period 2). Lardner’s research found that both aerated and untreated pumped water affect yearling steer performance compared to direct access to dugout.
| Time Period | Period 1 (May 23-Jul 31) |
Period 2 (Aug 1-Sept 30) |
Whole Period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Untreated Pumped | # of Days | |||
| Additional ADG (lb/day/head) | ||||
| Total Additional Weight Gain per steer (lb/head/year) | ||||
| Estimated Economic Benefits ($/head) | ||||
| Pumped and Aerated | Additional ADG on steers (lb/day/head) | |||
| Total Additional Weight Gain per steer (lb/head/year) | ||||
| Estimated Economic Benefits ($/head) |
Results
- Note: The economic benefits calculated in the tool are based solely on potential additional weight gain from pumped water compared to direct water access. However, producers should also consider the additional benefits related to animal health, pasture utilization and environmental sustainability when evaluating the overall value of their water system.
| Cost & Benefits | Number of Years to Pay off Initial Cost (excl. Maintenance) | Net Benefits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Initial Cost ($/head) | Maintenance Cost ($/head/year) | Potential Funding ($/pair) | Benefit ($/head/year) | Net Benefits in 5 Year ($/head) | Net Benefits in 7 Year ($/head) | ||
| Windmill Pump | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Solar-powered Pump | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Underground Pipe | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Aboveground Pipe | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Aeration Treatment on Windmill Pump | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Aeration Treatment on Solar-powered Pump | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Results
More details, calculator assumptions, scenario examples and references are available in the Canfax Research Services fact sheet: Economics of Water Systems (March 2018)
- It is important to note that while a numerical difference was observed in this trial these results were not found to be significantly significant.