On the farm water is still a concern or rather lack of it! For 20 plus years we have relied on rainwater harvesting and field drains running to provide water for our winter housing of our animals.
Apart from the long winter freeze last year and the odd occassion this has been very successful. However this year with the soil so dry at depth it will be a long time before the drains run and we get very little rain to harvest. I understand we are about 50% of "normal" at present in annual rainful.
This is causing a rethink! Mains water is obvious but at a 1000 metres away will take time to organise and dig in, a borehole seemed an interesting idea but a shallow borehole 10- 15 m unlikely to provide a good supply 100m maybe but again will take time to find out about. So lateral thinking is required, I am considering a large 10000 litre tank mounted in a trailer, 2 days supply, we can fill on the mains at home then tow with the tractor and plug into the existing system until the rain returns.
I want to continue the most environmental friendly way of getting sufficient water, so would rather spend a little time and make sure the option we choose is right for the farm.
The animals are fine outside on the dry ground although keeping them fed with straw/ hay takes time when they are so scattered. The few finishing cattle we have in are doing very well on their silage and home grown cereal diet.
