Water on the ranch

Checking stock water is a chore that involves a lot of wear and tear on the truck—and there’s never quite enough time to get it all done. It’s even worse when water sources are few and far between, gates are plentiful, and the wind is howling.

Some high-tech relief might be around the corner. A graduate student from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) recently put together a list of some of the new technologies for checking stock water.

Thomas Aquino, working with Yijie Xiong, UNL Extension livestock specialist, recently listed several evolving technologies that can help with the task of water monitoring on the ranch.

Starting with the easiest first, Aquino said, trail cameras are probably the most basic and affordable options for checking water. Cameras can easily be placed overlooking water sources and send photos to a mobile phone at preset times each day or when motion is detected by the camera. However, these cameras usually require cellular service to send photos.

The others begin to get less basic.

Barn Owl technology offers a “pay-as-you-go” cellular-based camera option based on data usage and the number of images per month. Although not designed specifically for water monitoring, with proper setup, users can monitor approximate water levels in real time via a cloud-based application. Barn Owl cameras offer solar backup and optional zoom.

Drones are becoming more popular among ranchers thanks to their flexibility and ability to be used for various tasks. They are limited, however, by the risks associated with crashes, operator distance limits, and battery capacity. Manufacturers such as DJI , Ryze Tech , and Autel Pilot build drones popular in agricultural circles in a wide range of sizes, weights, and prices—from under $100 to several thousand dollars.

Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions offers a variety of water-monitoring and management options at different price points and capabilities. Their water-level monitors can send alerts to your phone or computer. The Ranchbot system also includes a remote/automatic pump control function and even an automatic rain gauge to track rainfall.

Gallagher’s systems can monitor several types of liquid, including water, fertilizer, or fuel. Relying on micro-satellite communication, this water-monitoring system can be utilized for large farms or remote properties where cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is weak or unavailable. It can also notify multiple recipients about changes in water levels.

Lonestar Tracking offers a water-tank monitoring system that can operate with either satellite or cellular technology. Users are updated several times a day on water usage and can be notified when levels are low. Purposely designed for livestock water-level monitoring, Lonestar’s various options vary based on price, connectivity, and coverage, with global reach using either satellite or cellular connection.

Some high-tech cattle management systems now integrate water consumption into their overall applications. 701X xWatSen Autonomous Rancher offers GPS “smart” ear tags that track individual cattle movements and provide record-keeping and data management. The 701X system can monitor and report stock water levels and temperatures, but relies on cellular service.

Australia-based mOOvement offers location tracking for livestock operations. Their system uses GPS or Bluetooth ear tags to track individual animal locations. The manufacturer also offers an ultrasonic water sensor for water-level monitoring. This system relies on LoRa (long-range) radio antennas that connect back to an internet or cellular network.

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So, while we might be a few steps away from avoiding those long, bumpy days spent checking stock water, technology still hasn’t solved the bigger concern—repairs.

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When people like UNL’s Aquino and Xiong can report on a pipe-wrench-wielding robot we can drop at a stock water site to fix a leak, we’ll know we’ve really come a long way. And when they figure out a way to remotely break ice with an axe or spud bar, we’ll all have reason to rejoice.

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