The source and quality of cattle drinking water can have a dramatic impact on weight gains, according to preliminary results of a study at the Agriculture Canada Lethbridge Research Centre.
It has long been assumed that as long as cattle have access to an adequate water supply, the only variable that will affect their performance is feed, said range ecologist Walter Willms. But the study’s early results suggest there is more to it than quantity.
“These results indicate that livestock performance is highly variable depending on the water source, and that can have a significant impact on a producer’s profitability,” he said.
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In preliminary trials over a 70-day period in the summer, cattle given easy access to fresh water dramatically improved weight gain in comparison to those using dugout water containing various levels of contaminants such as manure, muck, and algae. Weight gains were up to 30 percent lower among cattle drinking water directly from a dugout.
“Dugouts have long been considered a cost-effective method for watering livestock, but these high losses in weight gain could negate any cost-saving,” said Willms. Water intake is important because it has a direct effect on feed intake. Results show that cattle eat a quarter of a kilogram less feed for every litre less of water intake.
High manure levels produced the most dramatic water intake difference, but it’s likely that several factors contribute, he said. Further study will investigate possible causes such as dugout environment, water quality and palatability.
“The dugout environment itself may pose some type of inhibition,” he said. “Cattle may simply not like walking into the muck for a drink, or they may not like the taste of dugout water.
“At this point, we know cattle perform much better when they drink fresh water or water that has been pumped into a trough, but we still have to pinpoint exactly what’s causing the differences in gain. Then we can determine the best strategies for improving performance.”
