Can I access sufficient water?

Water is a critical resource for any livestock operation. Knowing the projected water demand and the quantity and quality of water available to a livestock operation are vital prerequisites when selecting a site for a new facility. Livestock production requires water for animals to drink, facility cleaning, animal cooling, and for facility workers. Be sure to consider the following elements when starting or expanding a livestock operation:

Cow drinking water

  • Water demand; water requirements for swine, beef cattle, and dairy farms can vary widely and depends on operation size, cleaning methods, and housing systems.
  • Water infrastructure: A new operation may need an invest in developing water structures such as new water lines, tanks, wells, pumps, etc. New structures require additional investment, space, and in the case of wells significant setbacks to all animal housing or manure storage structures.
  • Water quality: For drinking, animals need some minimal water quality characteristics. The presence of contaminants in the drinking water will produce negative impacts on animal health, impacting operation performance.

In Nebraska, groundwater is the primary source of agricultural water. Nebraska’s Groundwater levels and water qualitycharacteristics are available from governmental sites. UNL’s Water Website offers a summary of the main regulation and policies for agricultural related water use in the state.

Other water related resources are:

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