Adequate and reliable stock water is just as important as feed. Having water infrastructure established which is able to supply all stock requirements will underpin business success during dry times.
Knowledge of livestock water requirements and potential sources of water are important for planning on both an annual and daily basis.
The amount of water an animal requires will depend on a number of factors including:
• the class of animal
• the temperature and season (livestock consume more water in summer and during warmer weather)
• the feed on offer (stock will drink more on dry feed such as grains, hay and dead pasture than on feeds with higher water content)
• the quality of the water (water with higher salt levels will increase consumption).

Stock do best on water that is fresh, cool and clean.

The following resources are provided to support Tasmanian livestock producers with their decision-making when considering converting from in-paddock dams to reticulated trough systems. Workshops can be delivered to groups of producers with a common goal of improving their understanding in this area. At the workshops, producers are supported to use their own farm data in the calculator tool.