Sunrise Dairy Field Day held April 5, 2008

Demonstrating Solar Water Pumping System for Livestock

 

  

Attendees arrive at Sunrise Dairy, near Westphalia on April 5 and visit with Herschel George, KSU Watershed Specialist about his traveling solar panel and pump system as they collect information on various tanks and solar pump systems available.  

 

    

Greg and Mary Kropf took attendees out to the paddocks which are part of their New Zealand Style Rotational Pasture Grazing Dairy System.  Rural water was available at the milking parlor but through the rotational grazing system the cattle were often a great distance from rural water.  There are several ponds available throughout he pasture, but dairymen recognize the hazards of allowing lactating cows access to the pond.  The Kropf’s decided to utilize the ponds as a water source and pump the water to tanks, using solar power, for the cattle.  During the demonstration, producers were able to see firsthand two styles of solar water pumps, each with a unique style of intake and delivery system.  Sunrise Dairy uses one delivery system during non-freezing conditions, while the other system has a buried pipeline for use during winter months. 

System A (above, left) was purchased in 2006; pumps up to 3.5 gallon/minute with full sun.  One Evergreen 24v 110w panel, Zomeworks Track Rack, Sunpumps SDS-Q-128 24V pump.

System B (below, center) purchased in 2007; pumps 7.5 gallons/minute with full sun and 9.0 gallons/minute on the generator (cloudy day backup) System includes five 42w panles, Grundfos SQ helical pump and operates on any voltage AC or DC. 

Both systems utilize a pressure tank & switch

                       

 

                       

Greg Kropf and Herschel George have pulled the submersible pump and are discussing how the system functions.

Backups for continual cloudy days: battery backup (gel or deep cell); generator; portable tank on wheels; weed-eater powered pump; extra stock tanks; above ground storage.   

For more information on the information presented at the April 5 Sunrise Dairy Field Day producers can contact Herschel George 913-294-6021 or the MdC Livestock WRAPS Grant Project Office 785-242-1109 (Keri @ ext 31)

The field day was hosted by Sunrise Dairy, Coffey County Conservation District, and the Marais des Cygnes Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies Livestock Project Grant (administered by the Franklin County Conservation District).  The MdC WRAPS Livestock Grant provided funds for a portion of the project through an EPA Section 319 Grant administered through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.