Water distribution is one of the most critical components of grazing management, and with the ever growing uncertainty of annual rainfall we, as producers need to work on more ways to be proactive in providing water throughout our pastures. 
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION- just as they say on HGTV; cattle cannot resist traveling far from water. They graze very little when more than half mile away from water in rough country, or a mile away in flat county. When cattle do travel far from water, they spend less time grazing and more time burning off pounds by walking; they graze distant areas incompletely, thus accounting for uneven distribution and grazing patterns. As animals walk back and forth from water they deposit manure and urine along the cow path and around water sites. These deposits create a transfer of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients to areas with little to no grazing occurring. If we could create a more even distribution of these deposits of nutrients, we could in turn grow more grass. Leading us to the greatest question- How can we improve water distribution?
We know that water distribution is important; more ponds, windmills, wells, developed springs- all of these distribution tools can get expensive. Additionally, they can only be placed at certain locations and cannot be moved. My preference from experience and “book learning” is to use pipeline. Pipelines can be put almost anywhere and you can establish a new water site anywhere along the pipeline. Moreover, water lines are less expensive than you might think; water pipe and frost-proof trenching often qualify for cost-share funds. You can also leave the pipe on top of the ground, saving trenching costs, if water is only needed during the growing season/grazing season.
Over time, these water improvements pay for themselves with better grass, grazing distribution and improved animal performance.
For more information about livestock and livestock water topics contact the Midway District Extension office or call (785)483-3157 or (785)472-4442. Dusti Lynne Betts serves as the Midway Extension District Livestock Production Agent. All Kansas Extension education programs and materials are available to all individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.