The 2025 growing season was another dry one for Manitoba’s beef producers, and Interlake farmer Scott Duguid saw some of the worst of it.
By mid-summer, his farm near Arnes had seen some of the worst rainfall totals. His pastures were suffering. So were his dugouts.
Perhaps ironically, those dry conditions increased his herd’s risk for a condition linked to getting their feet wet. They were getting foot rot.
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WHY IT MATTERS: Foot rot is an infectious hoof condition that causes swelling in a cow’s hooves and can lead to extreme pain and lameness.
The problem stemmed from cattle wading deeper into the mud of dugouts in order to drink.
“We were really getting concerned,” he said during a field day this fall.
Eventually, he took the dive and invested in a portable watering system that would keep the cattle out of the dugout entirely.
Veterinarians and beef researchers often preach on the productive and animal health gains to be had with good quality water. Watering systems that bring the water to the livestock and keep hoofs from stirring up sediment have been one element of that conversation.
Duguid was initially hesitant about the system. He needed it to handle 150 pairs of cattle at one time. The manufacturers, though, were able to accommodate him, he said.
Once the unit started pumping water up the six-foot incline from what was left in his dugout — about four feet worth — Duguid was impressed by how well it worked.
“It handled water, moved it fast, and there was never any complaints,” said Duguid. “I’m actually very impressed with the whole thing.”
The SunStream Solar ST275 portable waterer Duguid bought for his operation holds up to 275 gallons (1,250 litres) of water.
For Duguid’s needs, the unit uses a 24-volt pump powered by four six-volt batteries. They are recharged by a 72-inch by 40-inch solar panel (about 182 by 101 centimetres), connected to a pole on the trough’s frame.
Duguid said that even on cloudy days the solar-powered unit kept the trough full of water for his cattle.
Winter-ready watering?
With winter ahead, Duguid says that this particular portable waterer isn’t designed to operate in freezing conditions, but the manufacturer does have other winter water systems on offer.
“Talking to one of the guys there, they do have some interesting winter water systems and ideas on how to do it,” said Duguid. “I’m seriously going to look at that going ahead as well.”
For next summer, Duguid also sees an opportunity with his portable waterer to split up his larger pastures and graze his cattle on smaller paddocks.
The unit can be easily moved from pasture to pasture using a simple ball-point hitch attachment such as on an ATV or UTV.
“You can move this trough easy, besides a stationary system where you’re locked in,” he said.
