With these high summer temperatures, it’s crucial that your cattle always have access to water and stay hydrated. Cattle drink 9-15 gallons of water a day and require a continuous supply of clean water to stay healthy. Providing a sustainable solution to keep that much water available for a large herd can be a challenging task, especially in remote areas where infrastructure is limited or non-existent. Enter the bottomless stock tank – a very large tank for containing and providing enormous amounts of water for large herds of animals.
What is a bottomless stock tank?
A bottomless stock tank is a specialized livestock water tank designed to utilize a water source such as a well or spring to provide large amounts of water to large groups of animals. The tank is constructed with a series of curved wall sheets typically made from galvanized steel which are bolted together to form a circle, usually 15′ to 33′ in diameter.
a single curved wall sheet
The wall heights are kept fairly low, 25″-33″, so most animals, and especially cattle of different ages will have easy access to drink. The large diameters allow for massive amounts of water to be held and capacities can go upwards of 12,000 gallons! As the name states, the tank does not have a solid bottom but typically holds water one of three ways: with an optional tank liner, by preparing the underlying soil with limestone, or by setting it in concrete. All of these methods create a bottom for the tank and each can be quite handy when installing a remote area.
Remote Area Use
Bottomless stock tanks are well-suited for areas in remote areas where frequent refilling is not possible or desired. Their large capacity design makes them a popular choice for farmers and ranchers in remote regions or in areas where water infrastructure is limited. The large size allows for fewer trips when hauling and allows extra time for solar or wind pumps to catch up to water usage and depletion. The corrugated steel rings are also easier to transport to a remote site than having multiple assembled tanks to create the same capacity. To provide over 10,000 gallons of water with traditional stock tanks would require many individual tanks and a lot more time and labor to fill each one separately.
Watering Herds
For ranchers with large herds, the logistics of watering can be daunting. Conventional water troughs are limited in capacity and need frequent refilling, leading to extra labor and time. These large-capacity tanks, however, offer a scalable solution for large groups of cattle. Providing a continuous flow of water to a tank that can hold enormous volumes of water ensures that every animal has access when they need it, regardless of the herd size. This translates to improved animal health and productivity, all while eliminating the time spent on filling and maintaining individual tanks.
Bottomless Tank Benefits
Large stock tanks are more than just a watering solution, they’re a game-changer when working with herds in remote areas or when wanting to limit your labor and time spent on filling individual tanks. For ranchers facing the challenge of providing water to their cattle in far-flung regions, or for use with large groups, investing in a bottomless stock tank can be invaluable in saving time and effort while providing a continuous water source for the herd. If you’d like a quote for a tank delivered right to your ranch, please contact Barn World and they’ll be happy to help!
Your cattle are likely your most important asset on the ranch and they are susceptible to diseases that are carried and transmitted by pests of all types. Protecting them from disease-carrying pests can be as simple as installing a cattle oiler.
Cattle face significant health risks from insects that transmit dangerous and life-threatening diseases. A cattle oiler provides a simple, effective, and efficient solution to protect the health of your herd and your bottom line.
Pests That Threaten Cattle
There are many transmittable diseases spread by common insects that cause serious health issues in livestock. An infection can lead to reduced growth rates, severe physical issues, and even fatalities throughout the herd. A few of the common carriers and transmitters of disease are:
Ticks: Diseases Carried:
Ticks are notorious carriers of several diseases, including Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis. These diseases can weaken the immune system, cause anemia, and in severe cases, lead to death.
Flies and Transmitted Diseases:
Flies, particularly horn flies and face flies, pose a significant threat to cattle. They can spread diseases like Bovine Leukosis Virus and Moraxella Bovis, causing conditions such as pinkeye and bovine leukosis, leading to significant discomfort and reduced overall well-being.
Internal Parasites:
Internal parasites like worms (e.g., roundworms and tapeworms) can cause serious health issues in cattle. Some of the more common afflictions include weight loss, reduced feed efficiency, and impaired reproductive performance.
Cattle Oilers Offer A Solution
Cattle oilers offer an economical and effective means of safeguarding cattle from pests and diseases. They offer a simple but highly efficient method of applying insecticide and pesticides to an animal’s coat. As livestock rub against oiler bushes or walk through a mop, the protective liquid is dispensed forming a shield against pests.
Cattle Oiler Designs
The two most popular means of dispensing pesticides are through a hanging mop or a motion-activated brush. Both methods are considered ‘on demand’ and help prevent unnecessary dripping and wasting of pest control liquids.
The mop oiler is typically installed in an alleyway or a transitional location. It’s hung with chains at shoulder height so when an animal walks beneath it, the steel holding tank is tipped, and a small amount of fluid is released through the weep holes on the side of the tank. Gravity then takes it to the felt and down to the mop. The tank is enclosed in felt and when coupled with the ‘tip to dispense’ design, eliminates excess dripping and waste when not in use.
The brush oiler design uses valves to regulate the release of the pesticide. It’s pressure sensitive and only allows dispensing when the brush and valve are agitated. Cows love to rub on the brushes to remove hair and itch themselves. This action triggers the valve to release fluid and the animals get a protective coating rubbed into their hide all on their own!
Protection Benefits of a Cattle Oiler
Having livestock self-apply pesticides to themselves is a great benefit to the animals and a real time-saver for a rancher. They continuously provide protection to the herd through self-application as the animals do the work.
The protection they receive from disease-carrying pests is invaluable and can be lifesaving as well. By coating the cattle’s coat with insecticides or oils, cattle oilers act as a formidable deterrent against pests. This significantly reduces the chances of insects coming into contact with the animals, effectively lowering the risk of disease transmission. With reduced pest infestations, cattle experience less discomfort and stress, leading to improved overall welfare. Happier and healthier cattle are more productive and have better growth and reproductive rates.
Cattle oilers offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution when compared to other forms of pest control. These devices use minimal amounts of insecticides yet ensure effective coverage and protection from pests.
Serious Diseases Prevented by Cattle Oilers
There are many types of transmittable diseases that can affect the health and well-being of livestock and a rancher’s bottom line. Below are two of the most common that can be preventable with the proper application of insecticides.
Anaplasmosis
Anaplasmosis is a dangerous disease commonly carried by ticks and flies. It is incredibly serious and fatality losses can approach 50%! After a bite, the Anaplasma organism will attach to the red blood cells making the animal weak and lethargic. It will typically stop feeding (show signs of anemia), run a fever, and minimize its movement. A cow displaying these conditions should immediately be examined by a veterinarian who will most likely treat it with a daily antibiotic to try and help it recover. It’s not a condition to be taken lightly and can lead to the death of the animal.
Pink Eye
Although the name sounds light and non-concerning, pink eye is a debilitating and painful condition that can severely affect your livestock. It is caused by a bacteria called Moraxella Bovis and is spread by flies. This bacterial infection can lead to temporary or even permanent blindness, both of which affect the feeding and drinking abilities of the animal.
There are antibiotics such as oxytetracycline that can be an effective treatment for pink eye and a vet should be consulted for a proper recovery program.
The most effective form of prevention for this disease is fly control. Reducing the population of flies limits the chances of infection. Dung beetles are known to be helpful in limiting the presence of pests and of course, protecting your animals with an insecticide is tremendously helpful as well.
To prevent unnecessary diseases from affecting your herd, it’s essential that practical and effective cattle oilers be a part of your prevention program. They offer an economic, low-maintenance solution to safeguard precious livestock from dangerous illnesses.
Create a healthier environment for your animals and ensure a flourishing and thriving herd for years to come with a Cattle Oiler from Barn World.
