Can I make this work

3 posts
Sun, 10/28/2012 - 07:40 #1

Member for

12 years
Jakeafield
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 10/28/2012 - 00:14

Can I make this work

Hi Farmstyle experts,

I was hoping for a few suggestions and a point in the right direction. I am considering purchasing a property in Strathalbyn, South Australia.

150 ac roughly, currently being cropped.  In many aspects this property is perfect for what i need however I would really like to run cattle and sheep on it also and currently there is no dam or water supply other than rain water tanks. There are plenty of tanks but the average rain fall In the area is about 18inches.  I am wondering if this alone will be sustainable. I could look at sinking a bore, dam etc but I'm sure this will be a large cost.

I am new to the farming life, have many relatives that run cattle and I'm sure they would say, no water, no way but to me this property has some pretty big upsides in other areas.  I am prepared to continue to crop the land maybe adding some sheep, which I am told the property has carried before.  My ideal is to purely run cattle but I guess you can't have everything? 

I wonder if I might be able to run a few head with some sheep and continue to crop without adding too much to the current water collection?

Any and all suggestions you might have will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

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Tue, 10/30/2012 - 15:51 #2
rmcpb
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 10/22/2012 - 11:13

Short answer is yes. BUT you need to look at your water supply and calculate water requirements of your stock versus you water storage capacity and collection capacity with your rainfall pattern.

I found the link below which is worth a good look. Cattle use LOTS of water so if you can store your water in tanks sited up high so they gravity feed to troughs and keep these tanks full with your roof area then its possible.

http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/37763/Livestock_Water_Supplies.pdf

As with all these calculations, treat them with a grain of salt and use the worst case scenario to help plan your stocking rate, remember that drought is the norm in this country. Start small and build up SLOWLY.

Cheers

Rob.

 

EDIT: Just to make it clear I am not saying this would be a good idea, just that it is possible but would severely limit your stocking rate to only a few head. It would be too expensive to set up the tanks required and roof space to capture the rain. Far cheaper to sink a bore or dig a dam.

 

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Mon, 10/29/2012 - 17:44 #3
elf
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 09/22/2011 - 21:04

Hi Jakeafield,

From my experience rain water caught from houses / sheds will not be sufficient if you want to run livestock. I only have a few head of cattle and in the summer they drink a tank full of water every few days. I rely on underground water which I pump into a storage tank and gravity feed to troughs. With only 18inche rainfall you will not be able to catch and store enough water for your livestock.

What do other farms use for stock water in your district? Do they rely on dams or is there underground water?

Jen 

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