Sheep Feedlot, Renmark

Trial Clarification 

There were 2 feedlots involved in this trial. These are referred to as the Top Feedlot and Bottom Feedlot for trialling purposes.

• Each feedlot contains an existing cement trough.
  
  
• A new galvanised trough was set up with a solar pump within four metres of the existing cement trough in each feedlot.
  
  
• Water meters were fitted to all four troughs.

• The cement troughs did not have solar pumps fitted.

• Prior to the trial, the client was cleaning the cement troughs daily to remove algae and feed.

Trial Comments 

• The client reported no algae in the new galvanised troughs with the solar pump fitted, but a high concentration of algae in the original cement troughs.
  
  
• These observations are clearly apparent from the video footage we have collected.
  
  
• The water meter readings provided conclusive evidence as to which troughs the sheep were drinking from. However, the drinking habits of the sheep appeared to be a little strange; they spent considerable time herding around the cement trough and appeared to be sipping water or licking the cement trough. However, the water meters suggested otherwise.
  
  
• In the first week, a water meter was deemed faulty. Three weeks after replacing the faulty water meter, trial readings were resumed.

Top Feedlot

Galvanised trough with solar pump: 4,593 Litres (4^th–25^th April)

Cement Trough no solar pump: 486 Litres (4^th–25^th April)

Bottom Feedlot

Galvanised trough with solar pump: 163 Litres (25^th–26^th April)

Cement Trough no solar pump: 5 Litres (25^th–26^th April)

*Note - On 26^th April the solar pump on the galvanised trough in the Bottom Feedlot was removed and fitted to the cement trough.