Precast Water Troughs Help Hydrate Cattle Across Thousands of Acres of California Ranchland

Keeping cattle hydrated is simple when they’re close to the barn. It’s a much bigger challenge when they’re spread across thousands of acres of ranchland.

At Jacalitos Ranch near Fresno, California, Anderson Cattle Company needed a reliable way to provide their cattle water across its vast operation.

To support the ranch, Jensen Infrastructure worked with Taylor Made Irrigation to supply a series of custom precast concrete water troughs designed for long-term performance in a demanding agricultural environment.

The project ultimately included 11 troughs strategically placed throughout the property to help ensure cattle had consistent access to water wherever they grazed.

The scale of the ranch created unique logistical and operational challenges. Water troughs needed to provide significant storage capacity while remaining durable enough to withstand years of use under the unrelenting California sun.

In addition, the troughs needed to comply with National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requirements, which included safety steps to help livestock escape if they accidentally entered the tank.

The customer also requested modifications to the standard design to better accommodate site-specific plumbing requirements.

Jensen Infrastructure manufactured 11 custom precast concrete water troughs at our Kingsburg, California facility. Each trough measured 11’ wide by 2’ high and could hold approximately 850 gallons of water.

To meet customer requirements, the standard design was modified to include two relocated openings: one for the water supply connection and one serving as an overflow outlet. Each trough also incorporated two stair systems to comply with NRCS guidelines and improve livestock safety.

Because each unit weighed more than 11,000 pounds and qualified as a wide load, Jensen coordinated oversized loads and utilized our own boom truck to support installation. The project was further customized with ranch branding cast directly into the troughs, helping create a solution that was both functional and uniquely tailored to the customer.

Need to keep your livestock watered across a vast operation? Contact Jensen Infrastructure today.