The Most Overlooked Nutrient
We’re highlighting the often-overlooked importance of water for dairy cattle, a crucial nutrient that tends to be forgotten in daily farm management due to its widespread availability. This insight comes from a reflection on dairy quiz bowl experiences and a recent Virginia Dairy Pipeline article by dairy extension agent Jeremy Daubert.
Daubert emphasizes the vital role water plays in the biological functions of cows, noting that cows lose water through various means, including respiration, perspiration, and milk production, which is about 87% water. He also refers to the Nutrient Requirements for Dairy Cattle (NRC) for guidelines on estimating the drinking water needs of dairy cattle, which vary based on factors like age, climate, and lactation status.
A key aspect of water management on farms is ensuring the quality of the water provided. Daubert recommends periodic testing of water sources for pH, total dissolved solids, bacteria, and coliforms, as many quality issues are not visible and require lab analysis. He challenges farmers to consider if the water they provide to their cattle is clean enough for human consumption, stressing that troughs should be cleaned regularly, with frequency depending on factors like animal numbers, trough size, and season.
To learn more: Read the full article by Maggie Gilles on Hoard’s Dairyman
