There are numerous negative consequences when livestock drinks from streams.

For a number of years, Missouri livestock producers have been urged to fence their livestock from streams. But the question has always been: "Why spend money on watering sources (ponds, wells, solar pumping systems, etc.) for livestock when you can let them water in a stream?"

Successful livestock operations need ample supply of good quality water to maintain animal health and to improve production. When livestock producers keep their animals out of streams the following benefits will be gained:

* Improved water quality and higher profits: Streams fenced from livestock do not receive livestock manure and silt from erosion, so water quality is protected. Water contaminated with manure may develop toxic algae which can poison livestock. Good, cool water, that can be pumped from protected streams or other sources, can increase beef production by 0.3-0.4 pounds per day and dairy production by 5 pounds of milk per day per cow.

* Reduction in soil erosion: Fencing livestock from streams prevents streambank and gully erosion. Streambanks are not trampled and the streambank vegetation, important to reducing erosion, is not grazed down and trampled.

* Safer watering sites means fewer veterinary bills: Hazards, such as cattle falling down stream banks or being swept away in floods, are avoided. In addition, the incidence of foot rot and foot injuries are reduced.

* Improved pasture usage means higher profits: Watering locations can be placed to reduce the distance that cattle must walk to get to water. This means that cattle will graze more, which will increase weight, and in turn will create higher profits for the producer. This also improves the entire pasture by spreading the manure so it fertilizes the pasture, instead of being left in the water supply to reduce water quality.

* Better fish and wildlife habitat: Fencing livestock from streams results in a healthy stand of trees along the streambank. This corridor of trees near the water is excellent habitat for both fish and wildlife.

Of course, if livestock are fenced from streams, then alternative water sources must be found. The Missouri Department of Conservation, working together with the Department of Natural Resources Soil and Water Conservation Program, Natural Resource Conservation Service and the local soil and water conservation districts, is developing economical ways to water livestock and help keep cattle out of streams. One economical alternative is to use solar power watering systems.

Solar energy is a practical method of livestock watering because the sunniest time of the year is the time of highest water need. If you have electricity available to serve your needs, then a solar system is not economical. But installing an electrical line to a remote location can be very expensive. This expense varies with the type of terrain that must be crossed but, generally speaking, it is more cost effective to use solar water pumping if the distance of the line is greater than one-third of a mile.

There are basically two types of solar water pumping systems. The simplest system consists of solar panels that provide electricity directly to the water pump (direct drive). The other type uses batteries to run a pump, and the solar panels recharge the batteries.

Direct drive systems pump water only during daylight hours and pump at a reduced level during cloudy periods. For this reason at least three days of water needs must be stored to ensure that livestock have ample water regardless of sun conditions. Battery operated systems are more complex and are used when it is necessary to pump water during the night or when water storage is impractical. Battery operated systems store three days of electricity to get through cloudy periods. Direct drive solar systems cost less and require less maintenance than battery operating systems.

Cost of these systems range from $500 up to several thousand dollars. The cost will depend on the water source, how much water is needed, distance water has to be pumped and the size of water tanks needed.

To offset these costs, the Missouri Department of Conservation is offering cost-share incentive programs in selected watersheds or to those landowners who are practicing managed intensive grazing. Cost-share is available for 75 percent of the cost of the watering pumps up to a maximum of $4,500 per system, plus fencing costs. This cost-share is applicable at any site where livestock have free access to the stream and the stream provides the primary or sole source of water.

For more information on solar watering systems and how they can improve your livestock operation, or about our cost-share program, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation at (573) 290-5730.

Brad Pobst is an aquatic services biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.