Why concrete water troughs are the most reliable choice for livestock 

Water. It’s simple, essential, and often overlooked. Yet, unreliable water access can lead to costly downtime for farmers, influencing livestock health and productivity. When you plan or upgrade livestock housing, most people focus on feed, fencing, or flooring. But any UK farmer will tell you: reliable, easy water access is essential, whether it’s summer or winter. 

The real workhorse here is the water trough. Troughs come in plastic, metal, or concrete, but concrete stands out for durability, animal welfare, and value. 

In our experience, a good concrete trough does more than hold water. It stands up to pressure, weather, and time. 

Built to last: why durability matters 

Farming is tough on infrastructure. Whether it’s the sharp impact of a hoof, the weight of large animals leaning or rubbing, or a tractor brushing past during feeding rounds, your troughs are going to take a beating. 

This is where concrete’s natural durability becomes a real asset. Unlike plastic, which can crack under UV exposure or cold snaps leading to average yearly losses of approximately £500 per trough, or metal, which can dent and rust and be tipped over by the cattle, concrete water troughs are inherently robust, weather-resistant, and stable. 

Wolfenden Concrete troughs are designed to: 

• Withstand the elements, including freeze-thaw cycles 

• Resist impact from cattle or machinery 

• Remain stable even when empty, thanks to their weight 

Imagine it’s the busy calving week on your farm, and a trough fails. You’re suddenly scrambling to find temporary water sources, spending hours on unexpected repairs instead of focusing on the new calves. This is why fewer repairs, fewer replacements, and less downtime for your animals are crucial. Our concrete troughs offer peace of mind during storms or when animals get lively, knowing they won’t let you down when you need them the most. 

Stability is an essential focus 

One of the most common frustrations we hear from farmers using lightweight plastic troughs is how easily they tip, shift, or crack – especially when livestock lean on them or jostle around. This issue isn’t just a matter of convenience. Research has shown that livestock subjected to unstable equipment can experience elevated stress levels, impacting their overall well-being and productivity. 

This might seem like a minor issue, but it creates real risks: 

• Spilled water leads to mud and mess around the trough 

• Lost water supply can stress animals, particularly in hot or high-density settings 

• Damaged or exposed fittings lead to costly leaks and maintenance headaches 

Concrete troughs fix this problem. Their weight and shape keep them in place, even without fixing them down. According to our tests, this stability can prevent up to 10 kilograms of mud from forming around each trough every week due to spillage, significantly reducing the mess and supporting better drainage. In a barn, field, or paddock, you can count on them to work quietly and reliably. 

Stable troughs also mean less stress for animals. They are less likely to get startled or hurt by a moving trough. Concrete is practical and safer. 

Animal welfare starts with clean, accessible water 

Our designs are not just about the strength of concrete, they’re also about livestock comfort. Water troughs are one of the most frequently used touch points for your herd. They must be: 

• The right height and width for easy access 

• Built to minimise contamination 

• Easy to clean and refill 

• Resistant to sharp edges or protrusions that could cause injury 

Concrete has clear advantages. Metal troughs can get sharp edges, and plastic can break down. Concrete stays smooth, strong, and safe for animals. 

We design our troughs to prevent algae and feed buildup. Rounded corners and easy drainage make cleaning simple. This helps keep water clean and animals healthy. 

For dairy herds, maintaining clean water is crucial for operations. Research has shown a direct correlation between improved water cleanliness and increases in milk yield, with some studies reporting gains of up to 5%. Likewise, for beef and sheep, clean water is vital as it significantly affects growth rates, digestion, and disease prevention. Never underestimate the role of clean water access in herd performance. 

Maintenance shouldn’t be a full-time job 

Many people think concrete needs a lot of upkeep. In fact, it’s often the opposite when compared to other materials. While plastic troughs may require up to 4 hours per month for repairs and maintenance, such as patching or replacing cracked components, and metal troughs demand periodic rustproofing and potentially repainting, concrete troughs generally need nothing more than about 15 minutes of routine cleaning per week. 

Our troughs are precast with: 

• Smooth internal linings to prevent algae build-up 

• Strong reinforcement to resist cracking under pressure 

• Simple, effective outlets and drainage for easy maintenance 

Because they are precast and cured in controlled conditions, they arrive ready to use. There is no waiting for curing, no warping, and no surprises. 

Concrete vs. plastic vs. metal 

It’s easy to assume all troughs serve the same function. But once you break it down, the differences become clear: 

Feature	Concrete	Plastic	Galvanised Metal
Durability	✅ Excellent	❌ Prone to cracking	⚠️ Can dent or rust
Weight/Stability	✅ Heavy and secure	❌ Lightweight, tips easily	⚠️ Moderate, may shift
Animal Safety	✅ Smooth, robust	⚠️ Can degrade, become brittle	⚠️ May develop sharp edges
Hygiene	✅ Easy to clean, algae-resistant	⚠️ May hold residue	⚠️ Can rust internally
Lifespan	✅ Decades with little upkeep	⚠️ Often under 5-10 years	⚠️ Varies with maintenance
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher initially	✅ Lower upfront	✅ Mid-range
Total Cost of Ownership	✅ Lowest over time	❌ Frequent replacements	⚠️ Depends on upkeep

Concrete troughs might cost a bit more at first, but they last longer and work better than other options. When you add up costs and downtime, the savings are clear. 

Making the smart choice for your farm 

Every farm has its own needs. Whether you’re running a 200-head dairy unit or rotational grazing with sheep or beef cattle, your water infrastructure must be dependable. 

That’s why we always advise asking the following before upgrading or purchasing new troughs: 

• Where will the trough be used? Indoors or exposed? Near machinery? 

• How often do you plan to move it? Some systems benefit from fixed installations; others need mobility. 

• What volume do you need? Match trough size to herd size and usage patterns. 

• How is water delivered and drained? Consider ease of access, cleaning, and overflow prevention. 

We work with farmers to get these answers right, manufacturing the concrete is our product, but our additional value is in that consultative relationship. We supply troughs in various sizes and configurations, and we’re happy to offer practical guidance based on what’s worked on farms like yours. 

Here’s why: 

• Long lifespan = reduced resource use over time 

• No plastic waste or replacements every few years 

• Minimal maintenance, reducing cleaning chemicals and repair materials 

• Recyclable at the end of its life 

We use local materials, make everything on-site, and keep working to lower our carbon footprint. To put this in perspective, over a concrete trough’s 25-year lifespan, its durable nature could save around 1 ton of CO₂ emissions compared to the repeated manufacturing of five plastic trough replacements. We still deliver the strength and quality you expect. 

Concrete that cares: the Wolfenden difference 

We’d be lying if we didn’t say we’re proud of our Lancashire roots, but our products support farms across the UK. With decades of agricultural expertise, we’ve learned that good design matters as much as good materials. 

That’s why our concrete water troughs are: 

• Individually inspected before dispatch 

• Made using high-strength, frost-resistant mixes 

• Designed with animal behaviour, welfare and ease-of-use in mind 

• Backed by a team that cares about and understands farming from the ground up 

Whether you need one trough for sheep or a full set for a large dairy, we can help. We only recommend what we would use ourselves. 

Choose once, choose well 

Concrete water troughs are not flashy. They have no extras and do not make headlines. But they keep giving your livestock clean, safe water every day for decades. 

That’s what reliability looks like. 

If you are tired of fixing plastic, patching metal, or chasing troughs after a storm, it may be time to choose something that lasts. 

FAQs 

1. Are concrete water troughs suitable for all livestock types?
   We manufacture troughs suitable for cattle & sheep, with different sizes and heights to suit species and age groups. 
2. How do you clean a concrete water trough?
   Our troughs feature smooth interiors and accessible drainage, making them easy to clean with standard brushes or a pressure washer.
3. Can concrete troughs be moved?
   While heavier than plastic, our troughs can be moved using machinery. Some models are designed for semi-permanent placement and offer mobility if needed.
4. Are there standard sizes available?
   Yes, we offer a range of standard sizes, andwe’re also happy to advise on capacity based on your herd size and water supply setup. 
5. Do concrete troughs need insulation in winter?
   Due to their thickness and thermal mass, concrete troughs resist freezing better than plastic. However, in extremelycold conditions, it’s wise to monitor water flow and consider protection for pipes or fittings.