Hosting workshops, tours and other educational events has always been important to the Lower Souris Watershed Committee. However, with COVID restrictions affecting in-person workshops, they have opted to host a Virtual Livestock Watering System Tour and Contest on Facebook instead.

There is a wide variety of watering systems out there for winter, summer and year-round use – solar, geo-thermal, pipelines, nose-pumps, and more.  The purpose of this group is to provide a forum for producers to post pictures and videos of their livestock watering systems along with a description of how it works.  They are also given the opportunity to discuss their likes and dislikes and tips and tricks about their systems and allow for discussion and questions from other producers. This virtual tour allows producers to show systems that are working for them, suggest changes they would make, and share ideas with other producers. It can be a great forum for producers who might be interested in installing a new system, improving an existing system, or seeking any trouble-shooting ideas.  There is so much knowledge, first-hand experience, and many innovative ideas out there to learn from.

Thank you to local sponsors. Draws for prizes were made on December 21st at the Lower Souris Watershed Committee December board meeting from all of the submissions received at that point.  There were over 20 entries and the group has now grown to almost 160 members.  

The Lower Souris Watershed Committee would like to thank the generous sponsors for the prizes for the first round of draws for this contest.   A big congratulations goes out to the winners!

  1. Cattle oiler donated by Sweeting Enterprises (Darcy Sweeting) winner: Sandra Spencer
  2. Bundle of 5-6”-6’ posts donated by Advantage Co-op (Redvers) winner: Ryan Beierbach
  3. Solar garden light donated by Gary Gross (Kelln Solar) winner: Kylie McRae
  4. 2 lawn chairs donated by Nelson Motors (Redvers) winner: Garett Thompson

Thank you to everyone who posted pictures and videos of their watering systems and participated in the discussion.  We encourage everyone to keep posting pictures and videos, inviting friends to the group, and keep the discussion going.  There will be another prize draw at the February board meeting, so keep those submissions coming for a chance to win! Anyone is welcome to join the group and entries for the February prize draw will not be restricted to the Lower Souris Watershed area.  The group “Lower Souris Watershed Virtual Watering Systems Tour & Contest” can be found on Facebook.

Watering systems such as the ones posted in this group may be eligible for 50% cost share funding through the Farm & Ranch Water Infrastructure Program.  Contact Karmen at 306-452-7953 for information on this program for wells, dugouts, pipelines, watering systems and well decommissioning and for information on the Farm Stewardship Program for cost-share funding for seeding forages, fencing projects, corral relocation and more!