On August 23, local farmers and ranchers gathered at Round Rock Ranching southeast of Vermilion for the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Project Tour and Pasture Pipeline Demonstration. The event aimed to highlight innovative practices in sustainable agriculture and water management.
The morning began with a presentation by Barry Irving of Pasture Pipeline, based in Sherwood Park, who started the discussion at 9:30 a.m. Irving provided insights into the evolving climate conditions in the region, noting that while the area may experience less snowfall in the winter, it is expected to see more rainfall at different times throughout the year. This shift in precipitation patterns underscores the importance of effective water management for agricultural operations.
Irving shared his expertise in pipeline technology, emphasizing the advantages of using pipelines for water distribution on farms. “The nice thing about pipelines is you can put them wherever you need, and the cost of doing them is considerably reasonable,” he explained. He highlighted the durability and reliability of high-density pipe, which can be purchased in bulk. “Fusing pipe for thread ends and T’s is the preferred method of joining pipe together or transitioning from pipe the standard threads; if it’s done right, it doesn’t fail,” Irving assured the attendees.
One of the key takeaways from the presentation was the importance of installing pipelines at the correct depth. “Water from a pipeline is cool as cool can be, if the pipeline is buried or if grass can grow overtop of it to provide shade. Typical burial depth is 12-16 inches. Most farming only goes about 6 inches down,” Irving noted, emphasizing that proper installation ensures the effectiveness of the system.
The event also provided valuable information on funding opportunities available to farmers for implementing such sustainable practices. Federal funding through programs like OFCAF (Off-farm Climate Action Fund) was discussed, which provides 85% funding for projects like cross-fencing, pipelines, and solar pumps to distribute water. Additionally, the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) offers 100% funding for certain projects. ALUS also provides funding for these kinds of initiatives, as well as support for applications. Irving encouraged farmers to start working on their applications early, especially during the winter months before the applications open up. “It’s first in, first funded,” he reminded the group, noting that all of these organizations have limited amounts to cost share on projects each year.
Irving shared cost estimates for pipeline installation, noting that 2-inch pipes are currently priced at approximately $2.00 per foot, but recommended using $2.50 for budget purposes to be safe. 1.5” pipe runs about 30 cents a foot cheaper, but can water fewer cattle. The rule of thumb is that 200 pairs can be watered at 2 miles of 1.5” pipleline length, but exceeding either may require a move to 2” pipe. “We supply the pipe, deliver it, and plow it in using your tractor,” he explained. He also mentioned that the cost of pipeline materials can fluctuate based on oil prices, as pipe is an oil-based product.
Irving’s talk included a discussion on the benefits of using gravity for water distribution. “Gravity energy is the cheapest and most reliable form of energy you have,” he said. He advised that while there may be a cost each year to blow out the system for winter, properly maintaining the system is worth the investment in the long run.
Following Irving’s talk, the group gathered around two of his pieces of pipeline-ploughing equipment, examining how they work in the context of water management. They then broke out into pickup trucks that took them down the gravel road and through some of Round Rock Ranching’s fields, stopping just outside a small wetland on the property.
Chris Elder, ALUS County of Vermilion River Program Coordinator, talked about this site as the first ALUS project in Alberta. This project, initiated in 2010, focused on protecting a wetland area that cattle previously had access to. Native grasses were planted to filter water, and a row of trees was established to create a buffer zone, protecting the wetland and enhancing biodiversity. Elder emphasized the importance of diverse plantings, recommending species like saskatoons and chokecherries to build resilience in agricultural landscapes.
Elder then led the group to a second site, where Sean McGrath, who serves as the chair of ALUS’ County of Vermilion River Partnership Advisory Committee and part of the family of operators of Round Rock Ranching, spoke of piping water up a hill to draw cattle up to an area that had been left ungrazed. He described the system as providing access to extra cow days. As he spoke, Irving and his wife were at work beginning to lay more pipe. In fact, the timing of the installation provided the foundation for this educational tour, and all of the attendees were from a 20-minute radius, highlighting just how much one project can multiply into ideas that can transform numerous surrounding operations.
The last stop on the tour was to learn about research being done with the University of Alberta on adding legumes to pasture. Elder emphasized that with all of ALUS’ projects, producers are the project managers, and that ALUS provides support with project planning, partnership connections, establishment funding, and ongoing annual payments for project management and maintenance. Their hope is to continue offering half-day tours of local farm projects to further educate producers on the possibilities that can come from submitting an application for funding.
For more information on ALUS projects and upcoming events, visit https://www.alus.ca or the County of Vermilion River’s Facebook page. To indicate interest in exploring an ALUS project on your farm or ranch, visit https://alus.ca/become-a-participant/
To learn more about solutions for piping water, visit https://www.pasturepipeline.com/ and to learn more about Round Rock Ranching’s projects, visit www.roundrockranching.com/
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