Water security on farms has become a growing concern in today’s changing climate.
As extreme weather events become more frequent and unpredictable across the UK (often blamed on climate change), farmers face growing challenges in managing water supplies for their crops and livestock.
The impact of prolonged water scarcity can be devastating for farmers – ranging from reduced crop yields and livestock productivity, to profit losses.
UK Water Scarcity Alerts
In recent years, the number of “water scarcity alerts” has increased across numerous regions, particularly during hotter summer months. These alerts highlight a growing issue where stream flows frequently drop below average levels, affecting both public water supplies and private water access for farms.
As a finance broker with our HQ in Scotland, and despite our traditionally wet climate, we have even witnessed this north of the border!
So, whether you’re running a small family farm or managing large-scale agricultural operations, putting in place water security measures will help minimise drought risks.
Water Shortage In Dairy Farming
For dairy farmers, water security is particularly worrying.
Modern dairy operations require lots of water resources – from ensuring cattle hydration to maintaining essential cleaning and hygiene standards.
During warmer weather, a single lactating dairy cow can consume up to 150 litres of water daily, highlighting the vast demand for water in dairy operations.
The ripple effects of reduced rainfall extend beyond direct water availability. Dairy farms face multiple challenges, including:
- Reduced grass growth affecting grazing quality
- Impact on silage production
- Increased livestock feed cost
- Challenges in maintaining cooling systems and hygiene standards
Agriculture Water Audits
Forward-thinking farmers are now implementing water management strategies. A crucial first step is conducting a thorough water audit to understand consumption patterns and identify opportunities for improvement in water use efficiency.
The audit will map water usage across the entire farm.
This involves tracking agricultural water use for livestock drinking, irrigation systems, cleaning operations, and any food production or processing activities.
The auditors will also inspect the entire water distribution system, including pipes, storage facilities, pumps, and meters. The audit examines seasonal variations in water demand, identifying peak periods and potential stress points in the system.
Once complete, farmers receive a report outlining findings and recommendations. This typically includes practical suggestions for improvements, ranging from simple fixes like repairing leaks to more substantial investments in water-saving technology (with the two most common storage solutions being water tanks and reservoirs).
Agricultural Water Storage Tanks
One of the smartest approaches to water management on farms is to take advantage of nature’s free gift – rainwater.
Installing systems to collect rainwater from farm building roofs and paved areas is both environmentally friendly and economically smart during wetter winter months when rainfall is abundant, allowing farmers to build up reserves for drier periods.
Having a reliable water supply is essential for any farming operation, and that’s where agricultural water storage tanks come into play.
For farmers working in remote locations – and let’s face it, most farms aren’t exactly in the middle of town – these tanks are true lifesavers. They eliminate the worry about water availability by keeping a reserve on the farm. Whether it’s a smaller setup needing just a few hundred litres or a large operation requiring thousands of litres of storage, there’s a tank size to match every farm’s needs.
What’s great about modern farm water tanks is their versatility. They can be integrated with other essential farm equipment, like water troughs for keeping livestock hydrated and footbaths for maintaining animal health.
Polyethylene and stainless steel tanks are popular due to their durability and low maintenance requirements.
Farm Reservoirs
For larger farming operations, reservoirs provide substantial water storage capacity. These can be either lined or unlined, depending on soil conditions and local regulations.
N.B. This is a good article on Farmers Weekly, which discusses planning for an on-farm reservoir.
Farm reservoirs are particularly valuable for irrigation purposes and can store millions of litres of water, providing a reliable supply during dry periods.
Designing and building large reservoirs typically takes several months and requires investment in both time and money. It’s recommended to work with experienced consultants who can guide you through the regulatory requirements and technical specifications.
In short, farmers will have to purchase items such as:
- Liner systems (Geotextile underlay, membrane liner)
- Water control systems (inlet pipes, control valves, bottom drain systems, overflows)
- Safety Features (perimeter fencing, warning signs, access ramps)
- Monitoring equipment (water level gauges, seepage monitoring, etc.)
- Infrastructure (access roads, power supply, pumping supplies, filtration systems)
By investing in water tanks or reservoirs, farmers know that even during dry spells, there’s always a reserve ready to keep the farm running smoothly.
Water management isn’t just about having water on hand – it’s about creating a more sustainable and self-reliant farm. This can also be beneficial when applying for grants, as sustainability is often a key factor in grant approval.
By capturing and storing rainwater, farmers can reduce their reliance on 3rd party clean water sources and potentially lower their operational costs.
If you would like to invest in agricultural water storage tanks or reservoirs, please get in touch with the Evangate FS team. We will seek out the best financial deals for you.
Efficient Farm Irrigation Systems
Savvy farmers are increasingly turning to smart technology to reduce water consumption and enhance irrigation efficiency. By incorporating soil sensors, artificial intelligence and weather forecasting systems, it helps produce more precise and responsive water allocation schedules.
These “technological” solutions enable farmers to make informed, data-driven decisions about water requirements, resulting in enhanced water conservation and improved crop yields.
N.B. We have written another blog post about the advantages of digital farming here.
Modern pressurised systems, particularly drip and subsurface drip irrigation, stand out as the most efficient options, achieving remarkable efficiency rates of 90-95%. These systems deliver water directly to plant root zones, minimising waste and maximising crop benefits.
Sprinkler systems, while more common on farms, have slightly lower efficiency levels. Centre-pivot systems can achieve rates of 80-85%, whereas traditional sprinkler setups often perform worse due to the wind and evaporation.
Surface irrigation, despite its simplicity and lower initial costs, is recognised as the least efficient method, with efficiency rates typically ranging from 50% to 60%.
Well-designed irrigation systems take into account areas such as ‘friction loss’ and ‘pressure distribution’ to provide uniform water distribution across fields. This prevents common problems, such as overwatering in some areas while leaving others underwatered.
By combining the right technology with effective management practices and regular maintenance, UK farmers can enhance their irrigation efficiency, resulting in improved water conservation and more sustainable agricultural practices.
If you would like to learn how to finance a modern and more efficient irrigation system, please get in touch with Evangate FS today. We have arranged affordable and low-rate deals for many farmers over the years.
Agri Water Recycling Systems
Farmers are increasingly becoming aware of the need for water recycling, as agricultural operations face growing pressure to conserve resources.
With farming accounting for a significant portion of global water usage, implementing water recycling systems is no longer just an environmental choice but a business necessity.
Modern water recycling systems encompass a range of methods, from simple collection systems (such as harvesting rainwater, as mentioned above) to sophisticated treatment facilities. The goal is to capture, treat, and reuse water from different farming operations, reducing the reliance on fresh water sources.
In poultry farming, for instance, significant amounts of water are used daily for processing and cleaning. Advanced recycling systems can collect this water, process it through purification, and make it available for reuse in other suitable applications.
These systems typically involve multiple stages of filtration and treatment so that the recycled water meets safety standards.
Likewise, for fruit and vegetable farmers, water recycling presents excellent opportunities for conservation. Irrigation runoff can be collected, treated, and reused, creating a more sustainable water cycle on the farm.
Today’s systems can collect land water, purify it through various treatment methods, and safely redistribute it through irrigation systems, ensuring crops receive clean, treated water while reducing overall water consumption.
To explore finance options for purchasing or leasing recycling systems, please complete our short form below, and we will contact you to discuss your requirements.
