FRIEDENSFELD, Man. – Dairy producers need to look closely at how much
water they provide their lactating cows.
David Reid, a veterinarian and dairy consultant from Wisconsin, said it
is not uncommon for producers to overlook the importance of water in
their milking operations.
Such an oversight can translate into lost milk production, said Reid,
who encourages producers to examine the availability and quality of
water on their farms.
“I think the two go hand in hand. Some people have really clean water,
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but there’s not enough of it.”
Reid regards water as the number one nutrient for dairy production. On
average, milk produced by dairy cows is 87 percent water.
While speaking at the Eastern Manitoba Holstein Club’s annual dairy
seminar on Jan. 9, Reid cited some of the common things that can affect
water availability.
In tie-stall barns, pipes that carry water to dispensing bowls can
become corroded, restricting the flow. Producers should check each
bowl regularly to ensure the dispensing rate is adequate.
Reid also suggested checking the water flow at the opposite end of the
barn from where the main water line enters. Poor flow may mean the line
is corroded. This can be fixed by cleaning the corrosion or replacing
the line with wider diameter pipe.
In free stall barns, Reid recommends at least three waterers per pen.
That helps ensure all cows have adequate access to water.
Boss cows may push others away if there is only one waterer. Then, when
the boss cows lie down, the others may follow out of habit, without
having had enough to drink.
It is crucial to have ample water after the cows have been milked, said
Tom Droppo, a Manitoba Agriculture dairy specialist. The more heavily a
cow milks, the greater its need for water.
Reid offers a simple rule for deciding if water is clean enough.
“If it’s not clean enough for you to drink, it’s not clean enough for
your cows.”
Producers need to watch for algae and bacteria in their watering
systems. Reid encourages regular cleaning of waterers and flushing of
dispensing bowls.
He noted the large stainless steel tanks from dairy barns can make good
waterers. Stainless steel is less prone to accumulations of algae and
grime compared with some other options available.
