Another Move and How We Solved the Water Problem (For Now)

We moved our flock into the old soybean field again. This move went smoothly - even the cattle went without incident. The calf, born in June, is looking really healthy - we think she is weaned now. Both the cattle and sheep eat only pasture or hay, all year round. After the move, we discuss what has happened with some of the new ewes we bought this year, why we don’t dock tails, why we don’t worm the sheep, the state of the field, and the plan to improve it this winter while feeding the flock simply by unrolling hay. The new paddock has had 42 days of rest and the flerd is feasting.
On most nights here in southern MN in October, the water is freezing for the animals. Our farm does not have ponds, or pipes for watering the flock across our 34 acres. When we first moved in, Peter filled up 5-gallon buckets with water from the basement (that was the only place that had a sink big enough for 5-gallon buckets), carried them up the basement, then placed them into a cart. He then drove the cart with a 4-wheeler and poured out the buckets into the animals’ water dishes. After this, he made a 40-gallon water-tank on the back of the 4 wheeler. When it is watering time, he fills it up with the hose. In the winter when we get the deep freeze, Peter detaches the tank and brings it inside so it doesn’t freeze overnight. Then in the morning, he re-attaches it to the 4-wheeler and fills it up using a hose hooked up to the basement sink. We’ve gone through 3 tanks in the last 2 year because of accidents - it’s not the best system but it’s good enough for our flock of 35 ewes.
We plan to add watering lines in the future, but are uncertain if it is worth it due to the cost to get far enough below ground to avoid freezing in the winter.

Note: the insane dog running circles around the greenhouse is Nell. As a bird-dog who lives purely on instinct, she cannot resist circling the ducks, chickens, and geese in the greenhouse.