Polyethylene vs. concrete water troughs: which is better for your operation?

By: Ritchie Industries

When you’re choosing a livestock waterer, concrete can seem like the obvious heavy-duty option. It’s solid, familiar and has been used on operations for generations. But that doesn’t always mean they’re better. After speaking with Layton Norwood, a Ritchie Territory Sales Manager who works with feedlots and dairies every day, we’re ready to share what makes the two options different.

Today’s polyethylene (poly) livestock waterers offer producers another option, designed to stand up to demanding environments while addressing some of the biggest challenges that come with traditional concrete water troughs. From installation and cleaning to energy use and long-term maintenance, there are several factors worth considering before deciding which waterer is right for your operation.

Are concrete or plastic livestock waterers better?

There’s no single waterer that’s right for every operation. But if you’re comparing a traditional concrete waterer with a heavy-duty polyethylene model, it’s important to look beyond the material itself. Consider how the material your waterer is made of will affect:

• Installation

• Cleaning and maintenance

• Energy use

• Durability

• Animal safety

• Water availability

• Long-term operating costs

  
  

For many feedlots, dairies and cow-calf operations, a heavy-duty polyethylene waterer can offer many advantages over a concrete cattle trough.

Ritchie polyethylene waterers, for example, use heavy-wall, one-piece roto-molded construction designed to withstand demanding livestock environments. They’re also impact-resistant, incorporate UV inhibitors for longevity and are completely sealed to prevent moisture from reaching the insulation.

That all sounds good on paper, but where’s the proof? Here are five reasons Layton shared, based on his first-hand experience, that make poly waterers a better choice.

1. Poly waterers can be easier to install

One of the differences between polyethylene and concrete water troughs becomes obvious before livestock ever take their first drink: weight.

Installing a concrete waterer typically means dealing with an extremely heavy unit and the equipment required to maneuver it into place. A polyethylene waterer provides heavy-duty performance without nearly as much weight.

Two people can install Ritchie waterers without the heavy equipment required to place a comparable concrete unit. Even the 14-foot WaterMaster 1400, which has a 110-gallon capacity and is designed to serve up to 500 beef cattle or 250 dairy cows, can be installed by just two people.

2. Lighter doesn’t mean light-duty

One hesitation producers may have about moving away from concrete is durability. After all, livestock aren’t exactly gentle on equipment. But polyethylene livestock waterers aren’t the same as lightweight plastic stock tanks. Heavy-duty models are specifically engineered for livestock environments. Ritchie’s CattleMaster line, for example, is not only designed with impact-resistant polyethylene construction to withstand hooves and heavy use, but also with UV inhibitors to help the material withstand prolonged sun exposure.

So, when comparing concrete with plastic, make sure you’re comparing concrete to livestock-grade polyethylene construction, not simply asking whether concrete or “plastic” is stronger.

3. Consider labor every time you clean or maintain it

The labor difference between waterers doesn’t end after installation. Think about every time someone needs to clean the trough, drain it, inspect the valve, service a component, prepare it for winter or troubleshoot a problem.

A waterer that’s easier to access and clean can save a relatively small amount of time on any single task. But those minutes accumulate over years of operation and maintaining multiple units. Ritchie waterers incorporate smooth surfaces, sloped troughs and large drains designed to make emptying and cleaning faster. A trough divider can also reduce the amount of water that has to be dumped during cleaning.

4. A smooth surface makes cleaning simpler

There’s another important difference hiding below the waterline. Over time, the surface of a concrete cattle trough can pit. Those imperfections can make the trough more difficult to keep clean as buildup collects on the surface.

Ritchie’s WaterMaster series combines a smooth surface with sloped troughs and large drain openings so operators can empty, scrub, rinse and refill the waterer efficiently. Most Ritchie poly models also incorporate easily accessible drain plugs specifically to simplify routine cleaning.

5. Poly can reduce winter energy use

The initial cost of a waterer is only one part of what it costs to own. For operations in cold climates, energy use should be part of the calculation as well. Ritchie polyethylene waterers require up to 75% less energy during the winter than comparable concrete units when properly equipped for freezing conditions.

That difference can add up over years of winter operation. In addition, many local electric cooperatives offer rebates or incentives on high-efficiency automatic livestock waterers such as Ritchie’s WaterMaster lineup.

Ritchie makes it an easy choice

Ritchie waterers can provide the durability operations demand while offering advantages in installation, cleaning and winter energy efficiency. Features like smooth, non-pitting surfaces, impact-resistant construction, high-flow valves and easier drainage can also reduce some of the everyday work associated with keeping livestock watered.

For many operations, Ritchie proves that you don’t need several thousand pounds of concrete to get a waterer built for heavy-duty work. Check out our library of installation manuals to learn more.