When it comes to dairy farming, reliable water supply and milk-handling systems are essential, particularly where performance, hygiene and animal health are closely linked. At a large and expanding dairy farm in southern NSW, Riverina Watermatic, with support from Brown Brothers Engineers Australia, delivered an integrated pumping setup that provides consistent water supply across the property while also contributing to improved animal welfare.

A long-serving dual Lowara 22SV06 e-SV vertical multistage pump set equipped with Hydrovar Gen 5 previously formed the backbone of the farm’s water supply system and performed reliably for many years. However, as herd numbers and on-site facilities grew, demand eventually exceeded its capacity and a larger pump set was required.

The site draws from both an irrigation channel and a bore, with long transfer distances and varied daily usage adding further complexity to the overall system.

Water for seven thousand cattle

To meet growing demand, the existing 22SV06 pump set was upgraded to a dual 46SV04 Lowara e-SV pump set with Hydrovar Gen 5, significantly increasing capacity. The water infrastructure begins with a Lowara e-HM Series 10HMS06 fitted with a Steadypres controller, drawing water through a one kilometre suction line connected to an irrigation channel. The Steadypres controller maintains constant pressure and provides protection against dry run and electrical faults.

After lifting water from the channel, the e-HM pump transfers it a further 800 metres to a 24-kilolitre tank beside the milking shed. This tank is also supplied by a 6” Lowara borehole pump operating in parallel to meet daily demand.

From this tank, the upgraded Lowara e-SV pump set supplies water to ten open dairy cow pens housing up to 7,000 cattle, as well as the milking shed, washdown areas, a farm manager’s residence, surrounding landscape, and accommodation facilities for up to 60 on-site workers. The water is distributed across the property via a manifolded pipework network located in the pump shed.

An INCA Surge Division panel provides surge diversion protection specifically for the 46SV04 pump set and Hydrovar drives.

Improving calf survival

In addition to the water supply network, the farm relies on a purpose-built pasteurisation system for milk collected from cows with mastitis. In commercial dairy operations, calves are separated from their mothers shortly after birth and raised in individual pens. While milk from cows with mastitis is unsuitable for human consumption, its nutritional value means it is commonly fed to calves.

Before the pasteurisation system was installed, the farm fed this milk raw, resulting in the loss of at least one calf per week. Working closely with the farm manager, Riverina Watermatic developed a solution using six Lowara CEA Series pumps to move milk through collection, heating, circulation and distribution stages. While not food-grade equipment, the pumps are suitable for this application because the milk is not intended for human consumption.

Since installation, the farm reports that calf losses have been eliminated.

Looking ahead

With the system performing strongly, the farm plans to replicate the same pumping and water infrastructure approach in a new development on adjoining land, reflecting confidence in the design and its suitability as a long-term solution.