Solar powered water pumps and nose pumps available under TAMS

Fencing off watercourses to prevent cattle access is recognised as one of the ‘8-Actions for Change’ within the Teagasc Better Farming for Water Campaign. To achieve this though, an alternative water supply must be available.

In circumstances where a mains or pumped water supply is not available, the use of solar powered water pumps or nose pumps may serve as a suitable alternative – not only providing a source of clean, drinkable water, but restricting cattle’s access to watercourses and thus preventing the build-up of deposited bed sediment, E. coli concentrations, and the accumulation of phosphorus in sediment.

Under three arms of the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS III) – the Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS); the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS); and the Animal Welfare, Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS) – grant aid has been made available for solar powered water pumps and nose pumps.

Under TAMS III, the reference cost for the solar powered water pump is €2,470/unit, while the reference cost for the nose pump is €292.22/unit. In the case of the WFCIS and YFCIS schemes, grant aid of 60% is available of these reference costs, while 40% is available under the AWNSS scheme. Either option is classified as a ‘mobile’ investment and does not require planning permission before installation. However, the minimum amount of investment which is eligible for approval under these schemes is €2,000 per application.

For farmers considering applying for grant aid for a solar powered water pump or nose pump under TAMS III, they must ensure the product selected is TAMS approved. In the case of the former, the solar powered water pump should be designed that it can be moved between fields and should include a pump, solar panels, battery back-up, float switch and 25m section of hose. Additionally, any troughs fed by the solar water pump must be at least 20m from the nearest watercourse. No payment is available for any concrete base to mount the system on or for digging wells.

In the case of a nose pump - a simple water pump that is operated by the animal’s nose to lift water from a water source into a bowl from which the animals can drink – it must be located a minimum of 20m from the nearest watercourse.

Solar powered water pump in action

Sean Sheridan is a drystock farmer and lives on the edge of Moynalty village. In the short video below, Sean explains how on a visit from his ASSAP advisor, they walked the river bank on his farm and discussed some of the issues along the way. Sean decided to try and remove the cattle out of the river by installing a number of solar pumps to provide clean water to cattle and keep the river clean.

Find out more about the Teagasc Better Farming for Water Campaign here.

Also read: Fence water courses to prevent cattle access