Will a water trough reduce the amount of time hay-fed livestock spend in the stream (and therefore improve water quality)?
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Authors: J. R. Miner, J. C. Buckhouse, and J. A. Moore
Date: 1992
Journal: Rangelands
Volume: 14
Number: 1
Pages: 35-38
Summary of Methods: A site was selected along Bear Creek, Oregon to evaluate the effectiveness of an off-stream water source in reducing the amount of time a herd of hay fed, free-ranging cattle spent in or immediately adjacent to a stream during the winter. Watering facilities and supplemental fencing were installed the fall before the trail began. The pasture was divided in two with animals in one pasture allowed access to both the stream and water tank and the second had access to stream only. Cattle behavior observations were made for 8 days and compared.
Article Summary / Main Points: The warmer water and easy access to the water trough successfully lured cattle away from the stream and cattle spent 90% less time watering in the stream when the alternate water source was available. The amount of time cattle spend in the riparian area was reduced and would most likely reduce the water contamination at this site, as less fecal material would be deposited in or near the stream.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 10 Central Rocky and Blue Mountain Foothills 43C Blue and Seven Devils Mountains 9 Palouse and Nez Perce Prairies
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing Water quality
Article Review Type: Peer Reviewed
Article Type: Documented Case History
Keywords: alternate water source, winter pasture, fecal contamination, water pollution, watering trough, cattle behavior
Annotation: The results of this non-replicated documented case history conducted over one winter are specifically applicable to this riparian area in Oregon. As is true for all grazing research, the results are most directly applicable to areas with similar landscapes, species, level and season of use, and weather conditions. The trends observed in this documented case history may be consistent across many riparian areas where cattle are fed hay but extreme caution and monitoring should be use when applying these results beyond this Oregon riparian area.
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