Hauling Water to Cows
Tips for setting up a water-hauling system to get your herd through a dry spell.
July 23, 2026
by Taylor Grussing, South Dakota State University
When drought hits, water failing to fall from the sky is not the only place water is missing. Already low, dugouts, ponds and creeks dry up quickly as hot days persist. When forage remains in the pastures, the need to haul water may exist to allow cattle to continue grazing.
Water-hauling systems
Setting up a water-hauling system includes more than just finding a trailer to haul with and setting up a trough in the middle of the pasture. One must consider volume and access needed to supply the animals with enough water 24 hours a day.
Supplies needed:
- water tank — 8 foot (ft.) or 10 ft. minimum or multiple tanks to pump water into
- trailer and portable water tank
- transfer pump and hoses
- storage tanks to hold extra capacity
- T-posts and fence panels to protect tank and keep it in place
Calculate volume and access
Water volume intake is best calculated based on dry-matter intake (DMI). Current findings from Alfredo DiCostanzo with University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension found that for each pound of dry matter a feedlot animal consumes when it is warmer than 75° F, 0.66 to 1 gallon (gal.) of water might be consumed. Thus, animals consuming 24 pounds (lb.) of dry matter would need 16 gal.-24 gal. of water per day.
Aside from total gallons an animal consumes throughout the day, don’t forget to account for the multiple trips to the tank, adding time and space needed to make it possible for all animals to consume their daily water needs.
Using an 8-ft.-diameter tank would allow 16 animals to drink at one time based on the 300-in. linear circumference.
Taking these values from the feedlot to a pasture setting where hauling water may be needed to utilize forage, calculate linear access at the water tank similarly to calculating bunk space. Bunk space recommendations are 12 inches (in.) to 18 in. for yearlings and mature animals, respectively. Using an 8-ft.-diameter tank would allow 16 animals to drink at one time based on the 300-in. linear circumference.
It is important to have a lower tank strictly for calves to consume water or build up the ground level around the tank so calves can access the water easily alongside cows.
Example
Use the following to calculate how much supply and tank space is needed in the summer for 100 cow-calf pairs estimated to weigh, on average, 1,500 lb. per pair.
- Water intake: DMI, lb. × 1 gal. per lb. Example: 1,500 lb. × 0.025% DMI = 37.5 lb. DM × 1 gal./lb. = 37.5 gal./day*
*Actual intake will also depend on temperature, humidity, stage of production, forage type and activity, in addition to other environmental influences. - Supply per day: 37.5 gal. × 100 = 3,750 gal.
- Access per head space: 8-ft. tank diameter = 300 in. linear circumference. Example: 300 in. ÷ 18 in. per head = 16 head per turn at trough
- Delivery example: 3,750 gal. ÷ 625 gal. volume per 8-ft. tank = 1 tank filled six times per day, or 2 tanks filled three times per day
Management considerations
Utilizing stationary storage tanks to hold at least half your water needs will help with demand on hot days and aid animal comfort. Setting this up via gravity flow and float system to the water trough prevents crowding of animals if water deliveries get delayed, allowing some water to always be available.
If stationary storage is not available, increase the number of water access points so multiple tanks can be filled and accessed by the cow herd at one time during delivery. Since herd animals normally come up to drink as a group, having enough access for a majority of the group is key to ensure the calves and less dominant cows are able to still get water even if they are not the first ones to the tank.
Keep track of water-hauling expenses such as supplies, time, fuel and gallons used. Through your local USDA Farm Service Agency, there may be emergency funds available to help cover some of these expenses with adequate documentation.
Also, if forage is diminishing, the economics of hauling water and feed vs. moving the cattle to another grazing resource or dry lot where water is more easily available should be considered.
Another option is to change the class of livestock to which you are hauling water. Younger and smaller animals like yearlings and stockers will consume less forage and less water per day than a mature cow, extending grazing days and fewer daily water deliveries.
Don’t forget to test any water sources for livestock suitability before turning cattle out on new water sources during a dry year. SDSU Extension can test water for you at locations around the state by bringing in a small sample to the office. For more information, visit the SDSU Extension drought page.
Editor’s note: Taylor Grussing is cow-calf field specialist for South Dakota State University. [Lead photo by Christopher Cheek, SDSU.]
Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 18, No. 7-B
Topics: Equipment / Facilities , Health , Management
Publication: Angus Beef Bulletin
Related Content
