Nose pumps are the lowest cost pumping systems available for pasture stock watering. They work well with nearby surface water sources but have somewhat limited use with wells. Install one more pump than the herd size would indicate. For example, for 90 cattle, install four pumps. Become familiar with the various systems by talking to producers who already have systems, and to dealers and government agriculture staff.
Solar energy is collected by solar panels and converted to electrical energy.
This energy may be used to power DC pumps directly, or stored in rechargeable batteries to serve the pumps as required. A range of options are available. Water may be pumped from a well or surface source into a temporary storage facility, such as a tank or an elevated surface impoundment, then gravity-fed to the stock tank. Pumps may be controlled by floats in the stock tank to provide water when levels drop below a pre-determined point. Water may be pumped from deep wells or across distances, so the major limiting factor is power.