Are the cows getting enough quality water?

ABP is excited to feature the writings of Barry Yaremcio, ruminant nutritionist and production management consultant. Barry is a trusted voice in cattle nutrition and forage production, operating Yaremcio Ag Consulting Ltd. This article was originally published on his BYOB Blog, which can be found on his website.

There have been studies conducted in Western Canada that evaluated the differences between cows drinking directly out of a dugout compared to a system that prevents cow entry into a dugout. 

When stock drink more water, they eat more forage. This increases nutrient intake, which results in cows producing more milk that in turn improves calf growth rates.

Dr. Walter Wilms conducted research in Lethbridge (1990) that compared animal performance when cows either walked into the dugout to drink or from a water system attached to a fenced off dugout. The test period was 30 days. Cows drinking from the dugout did not gain any weight. Those drinking from a water system gained 16 pounds. The calf growth for the calves was 22 pounds higher for those on the water system. In a second trial, steers gained an additional 44 pounds over 71 days when drinking from a water system.

More recent work by Dr. Bart Lardner at the University of Saskatchewan (2005) found that calves were 18 pounds heavier at the end of grazing season when a water system was set up at the dugout.  

Water quality declines throughout the summer due to evaporation, thus mineral content in the water becomes more concentrated. Sulfur content in the water above 2000 ppm combined with sulfur from the feed can result in final levels above 0.4%. This can result in polio. On average, a 1,400 pound lactating cow consumes twice as much water at 34odegrees Celsius compared to 25o C, up to 112 litres or 24.6 gallons per day.  When consumption increases in hot conditions, the safe level of sulfur could be as low as 1000 ppm.

Sodium is another concern. Levels above 300 ppm will reduce free choice salt or mineral consumption. To improve intake, reduce the amount of salt in the mineral, add garlic or a flavoring agent, or dry molasses.

 Cows that are allowed to walk into a dugout stir up the bottom causing an increase in Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) or “mud” that is suspended in the water. As TDS levels increase, the amount of water consumed decreases.

 

Investing in a pasture water system improves animal performance and health.