A technical day focused on securing water for livestock during dry periods was organized in Labesserette, Châtaigneraie, on Thursday, October 1st, led by Bernard Lacoste, the GDA of Maurs. The event took place at the Gaec de Cazillac and brought together about a dozen farmers and an equal number of young people from the MFR of Marcolès. The discussions were led by Laurent Bouscarat, a water reference at the Chambre d'agriculture du Cantal, with support from Louise Letierce. The event aimed to provide practical guidance on managing water resources for animals during periods of drought. During hot periods, a dairy cow can consume up to 140 liters of water per day, compared to about 115 liters for a suckling cow and her calf, and 20 liters for a meat sheep. At the scale of a herd, 50 dairy cows can require up to 7,000 liters in 24 hours, or 7 cubic meters, compared to 5,750 liters for 50 suckling cows. For 400 sheep, the need reaches 8,000 liters. Bouscarat emphasized the importance of keeping watering points within 200 meters of feeding areas, ideally less than 100 meters, and ensuring that at least 10 percent of the animals can drink simultaneously. When the distance reaches 400 meters, he recommended accommodating at least 20 percent of the herd at the same time. Measuring the flow of water during dry periods is crucial, as unexpected shortages can occur. If the flow just covers the needs, planning a buffer tank is advisable. The quality of water must also be monitored, with bacteriological analyses recommended. A partnership with the Agrola laboratory allows these analyses, costing between 60 and 70 euros HT. The location of watering points also requires careful consideration. Installing them under a tree is not advisable, as leaves can clog the overflow. Around troughs, the instruction is clear: "No mud around the troughs." For regulation, Bouscarat aims to "de-romanticize" the process, noting that 95 percent of spring capture requests receive a favorable opinion. For a withdrawal of less than 1,000 cubic meters per year, a declaration to the town hall is sufficient, but declaring the project to the DDT is also advised. Beyond 1,000 cubic meters, a declaration to the DDT becomes mandatory. The file is generally accepted if the withdrawal remains limited to watering, hence the interest of a float. Drilling falls under a specific and more restrictive procedure, with the state services in the Cantal specifying the rules applicable to water withdrawals according to the annual volume withdrawn. Several solutions exist to avoid the potable water network. Capturing a spring or a wetland is relatively inexpensive but its flow varies with the seasons, and the resource remains vulnerable to pollution. Drilling or a well can offer more water but with a higher cost of work and no guarantee of result even after the intervention of a dowsing, which is necessarily solicited. Watering from a river is economical and offers fresh water but requires monitoring the dry period and obstructions. The "diverted" withdrawal must represent only 2 to 3 percent of the flow, so a float will therefore be mandatory. Another option is collecting rainwater, particularly on agricultural roofs, which can be autonomous during dry periods but requires monitoring the quality, possibly a small treatment station, and a reserve of at least 150 cubic meters.