Page 13 - MWC 02-04-2021s

The Midwest Cattleman · February 4, 2021 · P13
Make Sure You’re Meeting Water Needs This Winter
By Terri Queck Matzie

Of all the nutrients needed “Footing is crucial,” says Lar- Greater one-time access If using a well as the water
by cattle the one most import- son. “If it is hard to get to the space is required in range sit- source, be sure to test the water
ant, and often most overlooked, tank, less aggressive animals uations where cattle are only periodically to ensure contin-
is water. won’t drink as much as they allowed near the water source ued safety.
“We tend to think of water should.” The problem exists for part of the day. Winter woes
needs in the summer, when hot both in the feedlot and the pas- Keep it clean In much of the U.S., winter
temps cause evaporation and ture, where access to ponds can Water quality matters. brings the added pressure of
put cattle under stress increas- be as much a problem as porta- Whatever the season or source, keeping water sources thawed
ing their water needs,” says Bob ble tanks. drinking water must be kept in freezing temperatures.
Larson, veterinarian and pro- Tank space is also import- clean of debris, feed and feces. “If cattle are without water
fessor of production medicine ant. The experts say 8 feet of “Cattle prefer visually clean for several hours while the tank
at Kansas State University. perimeter is required for 100 water,” says Larson. “If it is not, thaws, you could be headed for
“But water is just as important head. Others say 10% of the they may not drink as much as health and production prob-
in the winter.” cattle using the tank should be required.” continued on page 32
Several factors contribute able to drink at any one time.
to an animal’s water needs, ac-
cording to Larson, like animal
size, type and diet.
“Obviously, the bigger the
animal, the greater the daily
water requirement,” he ex-
plains. A general rule of thumb
is 1 gallon for every 100 pounds.
As weight increases, so too
will the water needs. A calf near
the end of the finishing stage
will need more water, as will a
lactating cow vs. a dry one.
“One of the more common
problems we see is a produc-
er expanding feedlot capacity
without adding extra water,”
says Larson. “You can’t expand
beyond your water source.”
Diet matters
An animal’s feed ration will
affect water requirements. Lar-
son says moist feedstuffs like si-
lage provide some of the needed
water, as do feed supplements
like wet distillers grains or
gluten. “The water included in
the diet will decrease the water
needed from the tank,” he says.
Likewise, dry feeds like dry
forage, or even poor-quality for-
age, can increase water needs.
A high-quality finish ration
will create the largest demand,
accentuated by the size of the
animal.
Stocker calves consuming
a high protein diet that can
be high in salt will need more
water.
“Be aware when you change
rations, water needs will change
as well,” says Larson.
Manage the mud
Cattle not only need ade-
quate water; they need to have
ready access. “Along with the
appropriate delivery rate, stor-
age and well capacity, you have
to make the water source easy
to get to,” says Larson.
That can especially be a prob-
lem with freezing and thawing
causing muddy conditions.