Running a dairy farm Running a dairy farm


About Me

Running a dairy farm

I run a dairy farm, and this year has been quite hard. The work is never easy, but this year we've had to stretch the dollars further and work even longer hours to break even. I know a lot of dairy farmers are in the same boat. But we're an innovative industry, so I thought it would be useful to start a blog where we could swap ideas on how to maximise yields and bring down production costs on farms. The more we can share these ideas with each other, the better the whole industry will manage to get through the current downturn.

Latest Posts

How Using a Mobile Sheep Dipping Service Can Benefit Your Farm
30 March 2023

Sheep dipping is a vital method to protect your fl

Irrigation System Selection Guide
27 April 2022

Are you in the market for an irrigation system for

4 Factors that a Farmer Should Bear in Mind When Buying a New Tractor
6 September 2019

A tractor can be an invaluable asset when managing

Two ways that farmers can prevent unexpected expenses
7 February 2018

If you run a small farm, an unexpected bill can wr

Cleaning and Maintenance of Pool Filter Pumps — A Newbie's Guide
25 January 2017

If your new swimming pool is to stay healthy and c

Helpful Tips to Remember Before Installing a Rainwater Tank

A water tank can enable you to harvest rainwater for future use. You are likely to get great value from that water tank if you keep the following tips in mind before you procure and install it on your residential property.

Adjust Your Usage Habits

Water conservation should be the overriding principle as you evaluate your water usage patterns before you select the best tank size to buy. For instance, install showerheads that reduce how much water is used in the bathroom. Dual-flush toilets can also help you to conserve water because you will use less water to flush the toilet after going for a short call instead of using the same volume of water as you use after a long call.

Such conservation methods will cut your costs in several ways. For instance, you will spend less money to buy a smaller tank because your water usage habits will have made it unnecessary to buy a bigger tank. Secondly, the rainwater that you harvest can be used for a longer time. This can reduce your expenditure on the municipal water supply.

Pay Attention to the Colour of the Tank

Pick a rainwater tank that has the darkest colour that you can find. Such a tank will inhibit the growth of algae in your harvested water. This is because algae need light to thrive. The dark colour of your tank should prevent light from reaching the water inside the tank.

Inquire into the Previous Uses of the Tank

It is vital to find out what the tank was previously used to store in case you want to use that tank for a potable rainwater system. Make sure that the tank was never used to store anything toxic because the water you keep may pick up those toxins that were kept in that tank. It is better for you to buy a tank that has never been used before from the tank manufacturer directly or through the manufacturer's agents near you.

Install Screening Devices

Rainwater can be kept fresh and clean by installing a system to flush or screen it before it enters the tank. Such a system will remove any debris that could have found its way into the water as it travelled through the water collection system, such as the gutters on the roof of your house. These screening devices can be bought from water tank suppliers or hardware stores.

The water tank that you install will perform to your expectations if you implement the suggestions above before you buy and install the tank.