Extension Notes
Susan Fox
Lyon County Extension Agent
for Agriculture/Natural Resources
August 15, 2007
Water
for
Current water supplies on many farms are now at critical lows, while at the same time, with the extreme heat and very dry forages, water intakes by animals are extremely high.
Water is the most important nutrient for all classes of livestock on the farm. Intakes are lowest in the winter months and our needs are also reduced by lush pasture.
A mature beef cow that consumes about eight gallons of
water a day in January will need about 14-20 gallons per day with temperatures
in the 90’s. Cows that are lactating will have an additional need for water.
Mature ewes with lambs need at least 3 gallons per day, a sow plus litter needs
6 gallons and a horse under maintenance conditions and warm temperatures will
need
8-15 gallons per day. Horses may consume as much as 30 gallons per day with
extreme temperatures and exercise.
Dehydrated animals will appear gaunt and listless, lose skin elasticity, and will have dry noses and sunken eyes. Hearing and sight can be affected. Dehydration also impairs the ability of the animal to resist disease-causing organisms. There have been reports of increased pneumonia in cattle with this heat wave. Lack of water also reduces feed intake and thus will reduce rates of gain in livestock. Horses that are dehydrated may colic. Livestock in general cannot live more than seven days without water.
Animals
should not have to walk long distances to water in the summer. When designing
rotational grazing systems for cattle, water sources are located so that animals
do not have to travel more than 800 feet. Greater distances results in
overgrazing around the water source and under grazing outside of this range. The
distance to water is not as critical during the colder winter months.
Water needs to be of high quality and preferably cool. Animals will have lower intakes if water quality is marginal from mud, heavy algae growth or if it is too warm or cold.
Systems should allow for maximum demand. Pastured cattle require one foot of trough or tank edge per 10 head or one water cup/bowl per 15 head. Cattle drink two gallons per minute. The water flow should meet the herd’s requirement within one hour. Having insufficient water flow or water space and number will reduce consumption. Sheep water source requirements are one foot of tank edge per 15 head or one automatic bowl per 40-50 head.
There are systems for extending water in pastures during the summer using tubs and above-ground lines with quick couplers. These are very easy to setup and move. The lines can be laid in 12" deep trenches to provide protection.
Information on pasture systems, dealing with the drought and commodity feeds will be provided at the Summer Beef Meeting, August 16th at the Western Kentucky Correctional Complex, 6:30 p.m. A meal will be provided. Speakers will be Roy Burris and Kevin Laurent, UK Extension Specialists.
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