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Summer Competition for Water Space Water intake is critical for regulation of temperature of livestock. Water is defined as a nutrient just like energy, protein, minerals and vitamins, yet water allows all the nutrients to be utilized. The ability of cattle to control heat stress will depend on the amount of water available. Assuming there is adequate water available from the water source, competition between animals will prevent the less aggressive animals from getting to the water tanks. Tactics for New Cattle We have seen some feedyards offer hay to the cattle before they are turned into pens where water is available. This is an interesting tactic. The idea is to get a few bites of feed in the animals before they drink and fill the rumen with fluid and limit the space for feed. Yet, for long hauled cattle in the heat of the summer, one may need to offer water promptly after unloading. Extra water tanks in the pen are needed when the weather is hot and muggy. Tactics for Cattle from Fescue Pastures Cattle from endophyte infected pastures have constricted blood vessels. The cattle will congregate around the water tanks, and even put their feet in the tanks to try to get some cooling. Plenty of space for drinking is needed. In some cases, a tactic is to let the tanks run over to provide a wet area for the cattle to cool their feet. A better tactic is to create a shallow area of water in the pen, as this would prevent the cattle from congregating around the water tank. Individual attention of critical stress animals is needed, including wetting the cattle down. Tactics for Hot Muggy Weather It is highly recommended for feedyards to have available extra water tanks that can be placed in pens during extreme hot, muggy days. Spraying cattle with water will also help with heat stress, but drinking water is the most important thing that cattle can do to relieve their heat stress. Salt Content Excessive salt will stimulate water intake. I have heard this argued both ways to help heat stress by insuring extra water intake. Caution: If feedyards force-feed salt through the supplements, then it is critical to have plenty of water volume and watering space. Water Temperature-Summer Well water will come out of the ground at cave temperature of 56 degrees. Water stored above ground will warm up to the temperature of the air around the tank. To help with heat stress, cool water is preferred. However, water volume is more important. Above ground tanks are painted white to help reduce the temperature of the water in the tanks. Water Storage The reasons for water storage may be the following:
Water Storage-Winter Above ground tanks may be painted dark in cold climates. The dark paint will absorb the heat in the daytime in the winter and keep the water a little warmer, which may help reduce the energy costs to heat water tanks. If tanks are painted white, one of the tricks we use is to reduce the storage level in the winter. This is only possible if the wells can maintain adequate volume. Regardless, adequate water is essential any time of the year. It is just as important as the feed cattle eat. Dr. Jim Sprague is a consulting feedlot nutritionist based in Garden City, Kansas. Questions or comments on his articles can be directed to 1910 Harding #3, Garden City, KS 67846. He can be reached at (620) 283-8692. |
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