Stock Tank Heaters vs. Breaking Ice - Water on the Ranch

[@toddbrewer8215]

Great video. Most non ranch people have no idea about the cost of ranching. I think you are helping people understand that ranching isn't a way to become wealthy but rather a way of life.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Aint that the truth, thanks Todd - Mike

[@GaHullbillyRanch]

@@OurWyomingLife could you use solar panels & wind generators on your ranch?

[@mattfencl3614]

2 thumbs up! The economics of the Ranch are so interesting to me! Keep up the good work!

[@CowboyDave07]

The best investment I ever made was building lids for our tanks. Nothing special, just 2x4s all the way across with a hinged door for livestock access. Morning chores went from chipping ice to just opening the door for them to drink. Significantly cut down on time and propane usage. Unless it's going to be below zero, the pilot light on our heater is enough combined with the lid to keep the 8ft round tanks thawed. Might have to add a latch until the cows get into your routine. Also, the rule I was taught was the warmer water requires less energy to process. So what you might spend keeping your water thawed, is theoretically made up for in more pounds on each animal on sale day. Overall, they honestly seem to winter better with a heated water source. Just my two cents.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Guys, I'm super impressed every time I watch a video...ya'll really shine like gold here on KZbin....thanks so much for taking us with you on the ranch....your remind me why I love the country life, Wyoming and the west..... and we can't wait to get out and see ya again!! Josh and Danielle....... Stoney Ridge Farm

[@darkhorse1100]

Start framing and insulating tanks with high core density foam.Build the same insulated covers for the tops with only a few holes big enough for a cow or horse to dip their head in.Tank heaters generally come with thermostats that turn off when they hit a certain temp.Insulating your tanks will keep water temps level longer and prevents tank heaters running all the time.This will increase the longevity of your tank heaters as well.Tank heaters should be descaled at least once a month to increase life span as well.Another trick to keep ice from forming is run a small air pump with an airstone which does 2 things.Creates moving water which slows freezing and oxygenates water so in the warmer months prevents stagnant water which reduces algae, bacterial overgrowth ect.Less cleaning for the rancher.I live in Alberta where temps are commonly down around -30°Celsius and this is a life saver for our electricity bill😉

[@Carknocker001]

There appears to be some evidence that warm water makes it easier for a cow to maintain her core body temperature, expending fewer calories to do so, needing less hay and retaining more body weight over the winter. It might be that the expenditure to warm drinking water will more than pay for itself when the cows go to market and if one must buy hay to overwinter the stock. Something to consider.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

That's what I was thinking. Some horses will decrease their fluids intake when the water is cold to the point that they become dehydrated and/or colic. I'm wondering if some cows will also compromise their health in this manner.

[@babyfacebowers01]

Actually the economics of the ranch is highly interesting. 💲💲🐂🐎🐖

[@butterbean4195]

nerd! :)

[@jonathanodermann913]

Mike as a fellow rancher I am all about saving money. You have brought up an interesting subject talking about tank heaters and the cost of using them (or not). Prior to returning home to carry on my family’s ranch I worked as a mechanical engineer. This afforded me a great understanding of total energy costs, not just $/kw-hr. Did you know it takes roughly 6800 calories to raise one gallon of water 1 deg F? Think of the feed/energy savings across your herd if you can keep the water at 45 degrees F instead of 32-33 Deg F.

[@OurWyomingLife]

I agree, thats why when I'm not running heaters I make sure to get out and clear the ice and let the sun heat the water. In the video that water that was up around 56 degrees wasnt heated by the heater ( the heaters shut off at 35 or so) but by the sun. I have noticed that cows wont go to water when its dark and that water is getting colder and most will go for water in the early afternoon. Of course they have open ponds sometimes too ( depending on weather) Thanks a bunch Johnathan - Mike

[@scottheath9140]

I was going to brink of suicide and I found your Channel it took three days too watch every video

[@theresathreadgill1386]

I admit to being retired and to just having a few chickens and small garden. But at 65 and a right leg amputee I do ok for myself. I live at a paid for home with an adult son living with me. I appreciate all the work you do but find I'm not interested in working that hard any more. So I watch others work and do what I can at my home. You do great videos and I admire the work you and Erin do to keep your ranch. I will be traveling your way this year to see it all in person. Keep up the good work.

[@TaigaTurf]

Insulating water tanks with 2 inch blueboard foam (protective covering on it) and pouring in one gallon of ~200F water will warm up the water considerably . Used this technique at 60 below ambient..

[@willardelsasser5310]

The safety of the animals on the frozen ground is also one of your concerns i have seen from other videos.I like the economics portion so feel free to drop it on us anytime. These videos really help to dispel the idea that ranchers are rich and rolling in money.

[@barrybeggs8543]

Asi remember when I was about 7 years old in 1956 northern Ill. we heated 3 stock tanks for 80 steers & 50 sows with corn cobs submersible heaters 4 buckets 5 galion pails of cobs per htr plus 1 bean can of coal oil thrown on top of cobs to start fire . Fire would last all night , no ice . if it was below 10 deg. would have to re-fill cobs next morning on all 3 tanks.Cobs came fromear corn.picket corn with corn picker stored in corn crib ..would shell corn with sheller on back of 2 ton truck, to feed or haul to town to sell stoer cobs in cob house..Bofore electricity came to farm in 1939 my grand-mother would burn cobs in old cook stove to cook and heat water & heat house In early 60's propane was used to heat stock water,thenelect,heaters. My how times change

[@johnhugon8305]

Wow,you never stop learning

[@swampchicken99]

Videos like this give a realistic view of ranching operations. Keep them coming.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Tim - Mike

[@willieboggs7799]

I remember we made a couple of tank heaters that dripped diesel. Kind of fuzzy on any detail past that. Another cheap easy solution that really works is to put a bunch of black hose/poly pipe scraps in the tank. I had a bunch of short ends of poly tube scrap that I cut into about 1 foot pieces and threw in the tank. They worked like surface solar collectors plus kept the ice from crusting over solid even when cold enough to start icing.

[@janismeader924]

Ranch and Farm Economics, should stay. Very educational and informational. This is a real eye opener for those who complain about the cost of meat at the store. I think that knowledge of the old ways is just as important as the new. If the power goes out, you can resort to the old ways as back up with confidence.(. I learned how to heat a house using an old wood burning stove. Had to use that for over two months. In the winter months, while house setting for friends. Some times you have to be a quick study and learn fast. Also I was 3hour drive one way from my home. So I stayed at their place.). So, yes Mike I think it's important know how to, when to, why and so forth applying the old ways , as is the new.

[@joescott3393]

The high cost of meat at the store --- You may thank the multi national meat packers who just have to make their billion dollars. God Bless Joe

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

No boredom here, Mike! Water and the bottom line -- You can't get more crucial that that! I'm very impressed by the ideas and issues being discussed in the comments -- Most everyone who has raised animals has had to deal with ice in the water tanks, and many have come up with creative solutions. As freezing nighttime temps add at least an hour to my morning chores, I'm open to any and all ideas!

[@davidturney9813]

Many time it hurts as a business owner Knowing what you truly make in true money. Hours outside in ice and snow is worth more, no mater what. Stay well and don't get sick.

[@greathodgy22]

Good video on a subject not many think about. In the 50's and 60's on our farm in Saskatchewan we used a submersible wood stove in the one galvanized water trough we had. It was placed in one end, took up about 1/3 of the trough and was weighted down with rocks. The trough had a wood box with insulation placed around it to keep in the heat. We would start the fire in the morning and burn it all day. If you stoked it before you went to bed, it would keep the water all night, except in the really cold days. Had 100 cow/calf herd and it was quite congested around the trough.

[@johnallen7071]

Thanks for the lesson in farming finance. It confirms the fact ... that I like watching people farm ... I'm not cut out to live that close to the break-even line. John from Louisville.

[@camelsbuttefarm9965]

Those tank heaters are not cheap for sure. I would suggest covering as much of the open water area as possible so you don't try and heat the air that's trying to freeze the water. 2 sheets of plywood top and bottom, some 2x6's around the outside edge, and blanket insulation in between. Makes a world of difference. Also being your around Gillette, get ahold of some earth mover tires. They are indestructible, and help keep water from freezing with a insulated cover. As always, enjoy your channel and take care.

[@MpowerdAPE]

I can't be sure about this but, I am absolutely positive that my grandfather is laughing/spinning in his grave at your expenditure for winter water. Western Nebraska, just south of Lake Minatare, 50's threw to about 88'. I was just a child but I don't remember him using anything to keep the water liquid in the winter month's. It was one large steel tank for about 40 head. The same cow and calf operation you've got going on, plus corn, pinto beans and green beans, OH and an alfalfa field, Oh and a couple of grass fields he just let the cows into (he didn't cut or bail). Good luck to you sir, I just love this channel.

[@srn9973]

I switched over to Richi Omni 5 waters and I have 12 of them. Put a plastic culvert and a curb stop on the waterline so you can shut it off and drain back the waterline when not in use. Take very little electricity and never freeze up in a ND winter.

[@richniemann5154]

I never put the numbers to something so seemingly insignificant but this was worth my time to watch! Thanks

[@taw8350]

The cheapest solution I've found to keeping tanks relatively unfroze is to build a insulated wood box that fits around the tank and also encloses part of the top. I made one that can be set over them with a skid steer and also painted it black to help it get warmer. I've found that poly tanks seem to freeze a lot harder and also easier to crack than the galvanized steel ones, I've been switching to galvanized steel tanks and they actually build up less ice even without the insulated box.m

[@j00k3]

This is not booring! It´s fun educating. I´m in to farming myself and I know exactly what u talking about. Bu for those who arent its good lerning.

[@muddypawzranch3327]

Haha, wasn’t going to comment until you said “rotator cuff”...I’m 9 days post surgery LOL. Love watching (and catching up with old videos) and learning about your Wyoming Life. Especially love that you are a no gimmicks channel; lots of great information sprinkled with a little bit of humor and even some sentimental moments. You and Erin have done right by Gilbert and her mom. I hope and pray life behind the camera is as it shows on camera...y’all are good people! I’ll be excited to see y’all hit the 100k real soon. Take care and thanks again, Texas ❤️s you!!

[@grantdubridge7995]

Hi Mike, I think your under estimating your value. If you hired a ranch hand he would want $12 an hour and you would have to pay taxes and insurance on top of that. Plus, your the boss. Your planning and direction are more valuable then the labor. We looked at a heater in our Koi pond compared to a bubbler. We went with the bubbler but a pond in the ground, heat from the Earth, keeps it melted. Have a great day.

[@JesseHires]

I’m always interested in the economic aspects. It really provides depth to the farming and ranching story. Especially since most farmers are so tight lipped about it.

[@botodeov57]

It's still a business....costs count. Good Video Mike...very informative and on point!!

[@markgroth4380]

I am blessed to have artesion wells and flowing water dont freeze. I took it for granted when i was younger and didnt realize how nice it was to never worry about water for livestock at -20º

[@davidross6586]

Good calculations. I only have a few cows with a single 100 gal stock tank. I always broke up the ice a couple times a day until this year. I don't have electricity in the back field. I put a small pond pump in the tank to keep the water moving and prevent it from freezing. Much less expensive to run a 12 volt pump than a 1500 watt heater. I put this on a 50amp/hr battery and connected that to a couple solar panels. Put a cheap temperature sensor on the system to turn the pump on and off with the temperature. The whole thing cost around $150. In testing, I found that the pump does actually keep the water from freezing, at least down to 20°. Haven't had anything less than that so far this year. It comes on at 31°. Had a pretty good cold spell that kept the pump running for 3 days straight. The panels did their job and put out enough power to recharge the battery each day. Then had 3 days of no sun. The battery ran out on the third day. Had to pull it inside the work barn and recharge it. Put it back in the field and haven't had a problem again yet. I expect to see a couple more charges needed before the winter is over. Guess you just can't have everything.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Great solution! Thank you very much David - Mike

[@ehtozedduo2029]

What type of panels and pump did you use? Where did you source all of your materials?

[@davidross6586]

@@ehtozedduo2029 Got all the parts off Amazon. Got a outside pond pump that pumps 200 gal/hr. That's enough movement to keep the water from freezing. The cows don't mind either. Got 2 monocrystaline panels. Used a charge controller that came with the panels. Easy to wire up. Got a runin shed out back. Put the panels on top of that. Put the battery, controller and temp sensor in a tote with a locking lid. Makes it kind of waterproof. The sensor has a probe that just hangs out the side of the tote. So far it's worked pretty good.

[@bigcliffadventures]

Yes Its so true I have to know where the money went on a ranch . Thanks Mike you help teach the young people out there each day. God bless y'all and the ranch.

[@letysmallwood5042]

The song Cool Clear Water was a great lead in to the video.

[@trevorkerr8381]

That was very interesting for me, Running a business is all about knowing the costs and time savings and how the decision is made and the direction that you take as well as the end results of that decision. Good job Mike

[@TwoFarmBoys]

Great video! We usually use a pitch fork. But, if the ice gets too thick, we'll use an axe to break the ice. We've just recently gotten pigs. They have a 50 gallon barrel with a water nipple on it that they can drink from. I have to put a heater in it to keep the nipple from freezing up. So we're kind of in the same position right now. Hope it works out well for you! Have a great rest of the day - Everett the human and Lachlan the farm pup

[@dogger2k6]

Mike for non- flowing tanks take a gallon milk jug, add two cups salt, top off with water. The jug will never freeze and will help keep the tank ice free. We do it on horse tanks here in SD.

[@mikenicholson2548]

Paying attention to the money it will keep you going. I save money buy fixing and building almost everything. And maintenance on equipment saves huge in the long run. Great video as always.

[@chuckallen9778]

Mike, your channel is real "REALITY TV".

[@singleman1986]

I concur with the positive comments below. Economics is one of the most important facts of a successful enterprise.

[@BillTheTractorMan]

This is great! We used a stock tank heater all winter long. We had it on a timer though so it only ran at night. During the winter we had the tank to a place in the direct sun so during the day it would warm up. In the summer we had it in the shade so it would grow less fungus.

[@ojjenkins7110]

Down here I already have 12 minutes on sunset time from 4:34 in Dec to 4:46 today. My friend Roger in Winchester WY had -44F a year ago so keep on keepin on Mike.

[@banditman0000]

Love your vids man we run 400 head of mother cows in nothern utah and i like new ideas. Ideas for new videos. 1. automatic stock tank valves different types and the pros and cons. 2. buying bulls vs leasing vs raising your own. 3. buying heifers or replacement cattle vs raising your own 4. public vs private land grazing 5. mineral supplementation 6. cattle dip differences pros and cons of different brands 7. different types of vaccine programs

[@snapstring3134]

Great video Mike. You saved more than time by putting the heaters in the tanks. Think of the animals needing water before you get out there to break the ice and what about all the ice that gets thrown on the ground. I would say that would be a waste of water in the long run. Yep you done good by adding the heaters .

[@ResidentEngineer1]

As a Patreon I like many of OWL subscribers were treated to a first look at today’s video yesterday and OWL never fails to educate all while entertaining. You to can get a first look at OWL videos by becoming a Patreon for a low as one dollar a month. I urge you to do so. I look at it like paying to go to the movies or paying for premium movie channels on your cable. Unlike cable tv you receive entertainment in exchange for a small, very small fee.

[@weeniedogwrangler7096]

I have a neighbor who uses a fish tank bubbler in her 100 gal. tank and it keeps a hole in the ice for her horses. Costs practically nothing to run and does what she needs it to do. Myself, I use a timer and only have the power on a few hours a night unless the temps go way down, when I reset the timer to reflect that. I once ran a 1500 watt heater in a bathtub tank and it cost more than my house electric bill! Having a dark colored tank (painted black) also puts the sun to good use, but in the summer will increase algae growth so maybe not an option where you are. Last thought, what is the cost of rotator cuff surgery and your time in recovery mode? Bet it's a whole heck of a lot more than a heater costs to run. I almost wrecked my shoulders doing what you're doing, so having a heated tank in the worst weather is a no brainer for me.

[@linseycollins7424]

Well the 500 head my husband and I tend to for our employer are out on corn fields so tank heaters aren't something we have the luxury of using. But here at home I do use one. I think I have to get a new one case I have a small tank and it only keeps the water right around it thawed. And yes this video is something I was very interested in.love all of them..

[@kathybreedlove828]

The sons of the pioneers song...right on down memory lane.

[@fionajane56]

Have you considered insulating the troughs? We built insulated frames for our big tanks. Like small walls, framed to be strong. It helped a lot and we painted them black. They lasted for years around the cow tanks. The bulls not so much. These costs are more critical all the time. Good information we all need to be aware of. Thank you.

[@wbball15]

Good stuff. The minutiae is where the money is made and saved. Thanks for sharing.

[@daletractor6637]

I was amazed at your whiteboard skills! I'll try that at work one day. The economics of the ranch have been interesting!

[@brandonculp7829]

$13 Christmas light timer with a ground works wonders. Set it to kick on at the coldest time of the night and shut off when the sun is up. Don't need the heat on the the tank is being filled anyway.

[@lidsman2221]

Where I live the avg high is 58 for Jan and 63 for Feb. The past few days have been in in the high 60's and today was 73.

[@SecurityisaMyth]

Mike, Let me start by saying I don't know crap from apple butter about ranching. I did have an idea- would it be worth it to run a 4 ft or more deep trench away from the tank, bury a loop of flex water line and use a low voltage pump (Maybe even a DC pump with a Battery and a small solar panel) to move the water from the tank through the buried line. Use the warmer temp underground to keep the water warm. put it on a timer as needed- seems like it might use less electricity than a 1500 watt heater - I will refer you to my first statement and words from my undergrad design teacher " That's an idea, not necessarily a good one, but it's an idea" Keep up the good work- love your vids!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Might work, would have to go deep, our frost line here is about 6 feet. Thanks - Mike

[@D8Alpaca]

Mike, love the business and finance of the ranch videos. Keep them coming.

[@phillipackerman2617]

It is mike very exciting when you talk about numbers.

[@ryanwindsor8379]

Interesting Video Mike! Seeing all that ice made me do a little math of my own. Here in Arizona I buy a bag of ice for my work truck every morning @ $2.75 x 5 days a week = $13.75/wk x approximately 50 weeks= $687.50/ Year... its the little things that chip away at your balance sheet. Thanks for another great video.

[@donniegray5735]

Loved the video... I can certainly relate. I now use a submersible heater and it's very handy. One of these days I hope to install an automatic waterer but until then I'll keep stretching out the water hose to fill the stock tank and then draining the hose so that it doesn't freeze solid and be un-useable the next day. Lol

[@jaredkoyle5419]

Great video! The troughs that we have here at our place are gravity filled. When the last one in line is full we adjust a valve so that they don't run over and also as the cows drink from the troughs the water flows and they don't freeze.

[@timladnier6710]

Great topic. One that many wouldnt even consider.

[@thedonhams1]

Great Video. Love the Ranch economic vids. I never would have even thought of the cost for running heaters.

[@susantreibs1405]

Thanks for sharing. Nice to know the costs involved in farm, ranch, livestock operations. Do keep sharing. Looking at how one does things and if they can be done better, easier, more cost effective, more efficient is a good thing. Technology has changed, so looking into new, different, better ways of doing things is good. And make changes as needed.

[@46rambo49]

"cool, clear water" by Sons of the Pioneers, Ken Curtis was a member, went on to TV and movies, from Holly , Colorado. We used to go to Holly and help Mrs. Curtis farm so we could Pheasant hunt in the fall. Nice lady, ole Ken was a really nice guy too. You might know him as Festus Haggin on Gunsmoke. Being in business for yourself means you can work all the hours you want for free and give all the stuff you want away for free and nobody will fault you. Be safe.

[@caydengibbons1500]

I use a soda bottle with epsom salt with water in my water tanks and the only freeze a little when it’s really cold

[@This1LifeWeLive]

Ughhh, you HAD to say 33 laptops! I run 2 of those sinking heaters! We switched to heaters after I spent 3 years busting out 6 inches of ice. In the end, I was wasting so much water, and there's no direct water source for our cows so it didn't make much sense to be dumping it all out as ice. We now have 100 ft of cord running to a heater for their tsnk. Our tanks would freeze within hours before the heaters. Shock is a,real hazard, I've heard stories. Maybe there's a way to hook up an alarm that's powered on when eletric it hits the water. . . Nice of you to test the water issue though :) always good to know why money is spent!

[@mikewilder]

Maybe Matt can answer for sure, but I believe that if it is plugged into a GFI circuit it should cut off the power when it gets wet.

[@This1LifeWeLive]

@@mikewilder good point! I know at least one of ours is gfci, better check the other to be sure!

[@outcastprojects6733]

@@This1LifeWeLive I don't think 110 power would kill a cow or calf,I bet it would make them not want to drink though.I was wowed at how much energy they use as well.

[@This1LifeWeLive]

@@outcastprojects6733 if it can kill a whole barn of horses it can kill a cow..

[@outcastprojects6733]

@@This1LifeWeLive I guess it can,Just read some on it.I think 240 or lightning are much more common.

[@mitchellgelbvieh1388]

5:07 here is a tip! Get a big scoop shovel and blow torch some holes in it! Makes shoveling out ice a lot easier and don't have to worry about as much water splashing everywhere!

[@OurWyomingLife]

I usually just use a pitchfork. Seems to work good. Thanks for watching -Mike

[@mitchellgelbvieh1388]

@@OurWyomingLife also works very well, thanks for the reply!

[@justinhampton2394]

I put in a tire tank they hold about 300 gallon of water. There is a valve that u can turn on that circulates water and they run off pressure from your well. So far this winter hasnt been bad here in Mo but this idea came from your part of the country. It might be a good option for your ranch.

[@premfarm]

you could put timers on the tank heaters so they only run a few hours a day, great video again Mike God Bless

[@CC-xk6cp]

Hi again! Oh Mike you brought back chilling memories! Lol lol Thank the Lord for tank heaters!! Once a person has done the old chipping maneuver for a while especially in below zero temps you decide really fast that a bit more of any expense is more more more then worth it!!! Just find someplace else to make it up!! Oh those chilling memories. The one place it's ok when you're asked Are You Having Fun Yet it's wonderful to say NOT SO MUCH yay!!!!!!! Good choice Mike...

[@tynelson7367]

Great video, I’m always analyzing spending money on my ranch as well, my injection pump needs rebuilt on my JD, to have it professionally rebuilt will cost around $700-$900, I bought a rebuilt kit for $29.00 and probably take 4-5 hrs of my time for me to rebuild, probably have around $150 into it with rebuild kit and my time, a lot cheaper than the $700-$900.

[@mannylangstraatlangstraatf6134]

Loved it. I'm having a hell of a time keeping water going, I ended up going with tank heaters as well just couldn't keep any more.

[@tonyburelle6633]

Great video, I usually used the armstrong method of thawing, whether at the pond, or the stock tanks, once the cattle were more or less in the old dairy barn, we luckily used the old automatic waterers, great seeing how you handled it

[@davidclark4390]

Hi Mike, I really like the way you take the time to find out the usually best way to do something rather than just jumping in and hope for the best. I wish I could have be able to meet Gilbert, I bet the stories he could tell and was a hard working man in his day. Good to see you following in his footsteps and putting new ideas to work. It's all about family and a way of life and you and Erin seems to have it figured out. Best of luck in 2019 and take care and be safe.

[@glennedgar5057]

If your water tank is exposed to the open sky, there will be more heat loss at night. We have the same problem in Southern California. A puddle of water can freeze even if temp is above 32.

[@brettmoore8386]

I use earth mover tire tanks with a sidewall cut out. The rubber helps to insulate and absorb heat from sun. Usually only need to break a think crust on top each morning when cold. Can put covers on them with smaller drinker holes in winter.

[@angelarolen2958]

I freaking love menards my rebates are everything!! Go mike go

[@Lauren-fv4gc]

Awesome video! Very informative. Last year I got tired of breaking ice and finally resorted to putting heaters in. First thing I noticed is water consumption increased! It may be possible that warmer water is more preferable to drink than the ice cold stuff. I have been considering timers for a while. After watching this I think I'm going to put some in. Having the water at 50-60 degrees all the time just doesn't seem neccessary.

[@OurWyomingLife]

The heaters have thermostats on them. They shut off at about 35 degrees. It's the sun that continues to hear the water. Thanks for watching -Mike

[@Lauren-fv4gc]

@@OurWyomingLife makes sense. :)

[@robynmcleroy216]

If I could ❤ this video I would thank you for, 1 doing the math on the stock tank heaters and 2 loving your animals enough to do them right by everything that you do!! Happy New Year to you ALL! (And I love the hugs your giving your cow!!❤🙌)

[@edwardpaine3133]

Great video. Thank you for breaking down the cost of running the tank heaters.

[@jamesajoachim3]

a race horse owner took a piece of ply woodg;ued Styrofoam to ply wood to reduce heat loss horses / cows push plywood down to get water kept water warmer reducing heater electricity and aalsomhad tank inside a smaller tank with Styrofoam on the bottom and sides it seemed to work good //// in south Dakota we covered 2/3 of tank to save propane....flipping ice a slippery mess when it melts thanks mike ….. jim

[@jonathanodermann913]

I think this is a great suggestion.

[@nebraskafarmer9015]

Hear, Hear on the slippery mess part of slinging ice. I can't pitch it far enough to get it out of the way and it's a lot of walking to haul it to where it doesn't make a mess as it thaws.

[@ptrevino7684]

Thank u Mike on the info about watering the cows it's pretty interesting 👍👍

[@outcastprojects6733]

Im lucky this year,I have my big cows pastured along the creek behind the house.I only have to break ice at home for my calves .I am wowed at how much energy they draw.

[@AustinMoore231]

It’s so interesting watching you and Erin. Love the podcast as well.

[@lindajarrett5078]

mike good video again. thanks for sharing

[@namjignerak]

using water pump and running water pipes under ground, aka using geothermal, and keep water moving and save money on electrical bill.

[@murrayterry834]

Hey Mike, did you try putting the feed ground on your high alkaline areas yet? We chopped a lot of ice back in the day but were not faced with what you are facing, Had a lot of running water and holes to chop but needed to keep cattle off the bare ice so we burned coal and spread the coal clinkers around the water holes and the running creek water kept holes open. we would check 2x a day in severe cold. In march there was plenty of clean ditches to catch snow melt. Nice work and good thinking.

[@wiedemann713]

The economics are very interesting thank you great show

[@GainesMediaInc]

New lightbar looking pretty snazzy on the gator. 👍🐊🚜

[@benjaminbauer4883]

Thanks mike love the video! Glad we don’t have freezings temps in Australia😀

[@jwjco]

Hi Mike and family , This past fall i purchased 3 new Jug brand cattle waters . these are the energy free earth tube type and we will be installing them in the spring . It will be interesting how much i'll have to turn on the heat tapes down in the earth tube . But i think it will be a major savings on the electric bill .

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

I've never heard of earth tubes. I'm going to check them out. Thanks!

[@jwjco]

@@jeanettewaverly2590 the earth tube brings up warm air from down about 8 feet or so. this can keep the water bowl from freezing . In very low temp. [ -25 or so ] it sometimes will need an electric heat tape .

[@johndeno562]

Put them on a timer to run only 30% of the time. Don't need 50° water. On 30 minutes off 2hrs or something like that.

[@TexFarmer]

Good idea. Also, the cows can do without liquid water 24 hours a day. It's ok to allow the tanks to freeze over, as long as there are windows of liquid water for the cows to drink.

[@garyhoward2726]

God idea,

[@blazeman2264]

I use a block call a thermo cube. cuts electric to the tank heater above 34 degrees

[@outcastprojects6733]

@@blazeman2264 Smart thinking.

[@johnhugon8305]

The timer has saved me 12% in our area

[@thr8061]

We have found that having the tank heaters make the water warmer which makes the cattle a bit happier and helps keep them warmer in real cold weather.

[@ladyjay6741]

Making Life just a bit more pleasant with the heaters I would say. Great Video by the way :-) Don't get burned out on the small stuff. Let the heaters do the work and you can go fix fences, lol.

[@waynehoch3009]

Have you thought of going solar on your stock tanks. To save money Or putting up a wind mill to help power the ranch

[@nebraskafarmer9015]

You might consider Ritchie waterers (or something similar) for those pens where you're only watering a few head. Buy the insulated ones (or insulate them yourself if your are being cheap) Then, instead of using a heater, use a stand pipe and keep the water trickling. The colder the temps the faster the trickle. You'll need to bury a leach line for the overflow. We keep ours open even at -20. It's cheaper to run the water pump than it is to run a tank heater. The added benefit is waterers take up a lot less room in your pen.

[@goatram1]

Mike I feel for you. I have a Swing Shift Job that pays the bills. I run 2 Milk Barn Heaters, One in my Boat cabin and the other in the Camper. Plus a Heat Tape on the Goat Water Spigot with the Water Heater in the tank. Both of those have an internal sensor to come on when below freezing temps are around. Never much gave a thought of how much it cost to run them. Sure glad my wife doesn't watch your videos or my butt would be strung up. The Boat of mine consumes some money from Jan thru April in fuel used. 80 gallons each weekend used. Plus from May thru Sept the fuel used goes up to 100 gls or more per day of fishing. I usually get to spread that cost to others that go fishing with me. A normal average Albacore Tuna trip in the Summer is $450/6=$75. Ice, Fuel, and Bait. 40 to 50 lbs of Tuna Loins per person is the result. Tuna Fishing is fun. A seat will always be available. July thru Sept weather dependent in Westport WA.

[@luiscaraveo1747]

I think the economics is interesting, and I have never ranched or been near one.

[@Digger927]

That's fine but you have to change your mindset for ranching and farming. With things like heaters you have to ask yourself what it will cost you to NOT buy and use them. Then you'll know if you can afford it or not. The problem is in the hidden costs, if you can't keep up with the ice issue and it's causing a performance loss in the cattle, that's likely a cost you can't afford.

[@petermchugh6253]

Like your videos keep up the good work from Peter mayo Ireland

[@skullarix]

We live off grid, so we have to consider how much power is used. While I would LOVE to have a trough heater, it would drain our batteries to quickly, and we couldn't use it all if it was cloudy out. BTW, I use the same thing to break the ice on our trough.

[@OurWyomingLife]

I get that. We looked into solar for tank heaters but between panels, batteries and heaters for the batteries, I'm not sure it ever would have paid for itself. That tool does work good for ice though. Thanks -Mike