ADAPTING REMOTE STOCK WATER MONITORING TO SOUTHERN UTAH RANCHES
Heaton,* K.M.11County Director/Agriculture/Youth Agent, Garfield, Kane and Washington County., Utah State University Extension, Panguitch,, UT, 84759
Abstract:
Southern Utah ranchers manage livestock in extremely remote areas. The ranchers’ greatest challenge is ensuring stock water is available to livestock daily. Physically checking water is costly in terms of time, energy and vehicle repairs. During the 2009-10 winter, surveyed ranchers spent 1.25 hours to 134 hours per month, average 22.6 hours per month, monitoring stock water. The same ranchers drove 120 to 2040 miles per month, average of 374.8 miles per month, to monitor stock water. Available technology could reduce the costs associated with regular stock water monitoring. Solar powered, satellite radio monitors are stand-alone systems. The satellite radio transmits data collected from a pressure transducer sensor to a website and data can be sent several times a day. Ranchers utilize the internet to monitor their stock water tank or trough levels. Ranchers may program the website so that if the water drops below a designated level, the website will send an alert to the rancher’s email, and/or home or cell phone. During the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010, ranchers, Extension and Natural Resource Conservation Service personnel installed 15 units across southern Utah and northern Arizona. Initially ranchers are impressed with the systems. After having the monitor installed for 4 months, one rancher claimed, “My monitor has saved me twice!” The stand-alone nature of this system makes it the most feasible stock water monitor for remote, rugged ranches of southern Utah.