Water for Your Cattle
Obviously, your cattle need water, but did you know that it’s extremely important for your cattle to get enough water? In fact, if your cattle don’t have enough water, they won’t eat, and as their feed intake decreases, the animal will become dehydrated and their body functions may fail. In fact, water plays a factor in all of your cattle’s physiological processes. If you are interested in learning more about how to water you cattle properly, please read on.
The amount of water your cattle will need will vary depending on several circumstances, including age, production cycle, and age. For example, many cows and bulls may need up to 20 gallons of water every day during summer months. If your cow is lactating, it will require more water than dry cows. Food also plays a factor. If cattle eat lush grass, they should only need less water, while cattle that graze on dry feed or hay require more water than average. Also, if it is hot, your cattle will need more water. We recommend giving your cattle a constant supply of water.
Aside from quantity, water quality is also very important. Granted, cattle do not necessarily need water that would be considered safe for humans to drink, but there are a few factors you should keep in mind. The water’s salinity (or salt that is dissolved in the water), hardness, pH level, and minerals such as sulfate and nitrate have an impact.
If you are interested in learning more about the amount or quality of water you should provide to your cattle, please feel free to contact us. We will gladly answer any questions you may have.