Stock water consumption measurements

Abstract

In an attempt to establish rational on-farm supply rates and suitable daily consumption figures considerable effort has been expended to monitor actual field consumption. The subject is of considerable importance to the off-farm works of subsidised community water supply schemes under the current government policy as well as on-farm works for all water supplies. The present policy is to design all off farm works to cater for all projected demands rather than extend a smaller scheme to meet the demands as they arise Whereas any under design can still be met by extending schemes; any overdesign amounts to a waste capital and an unnecessarily high cost to the present farmers who stand the initial cost. This may in fact lead to some schemes being rejected on the basis of cost. It appears there is good grounds for reducing the present design estimate of peak daily consumption for sheep and other onfarm modifications to peak hourly flow rates for cattle.