Livestock and Water
Ponds can serve as a great source of year round water for livestock. The most common option for watering is to give animals free access to walk in and out of the pond. Unfortunately, this can lead to poor water quality, increased algae growth, and even animal losses if they break through the ice in winter. A better option would be to fence the pond off from all livestock and to install a frost free waterer below the dam.
Livestock water quality best practices
K-State has a livestock water quality specialist that can help with best practices.
Your closest contact is:
Herschel George
Watershed Specialist - Marais Des Cygnes River
Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment
(913) 294-6021
Hgeorge@ksu.edu
Cost share funds
There may be cost share funds to help you fence a pond area and to install a new watering system. Your local contact for funds would be with the Johnson County Conservation District. The contact info is:
Gayla Speer, district manager,
Johnson County Conservation District.
913-715-7022
gayla.speer@jocogov.org
Other Resources:
Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment (KCARE)
KCARE was established to coordinate and enhance research, extension and teaching activities pertaining to environmental issues related to agriculture. Daniel L. Devlin, Ph.D., is the director. ddevlin@ksu.edu
Publications
Kansas State Research and Extension also offers two good publications to get you started:
