Watering Dairy Cattle
Dan F. McFarland
Extension Agent - Agricultural Engineering
Penn State Cooperative Extension

Water plays an important role in milk production, temperature control, and body functions for dairy cattle. Cows may consume 4.5 to 5 pounds of water, from drinking and feed, per pound of milk produced (NDPC-30, 1990). Providing the opportunity for dairy cows to consume a relatively large quantity of clean, fresh water is essential. Body functions of water include: transport of nutrients and other compounds to and from body cells; aid in digestion and metabolism of nutrients; elimination of waste materials (urine, feces, and respiration) and excess heat (perspiration) from the body; maintaining a proper fluid and ion balance in the body; and provide the developing fetus with a fluid environment (Linn, 1991). Water also makes up approximately 87 percent of the milk secreted by the cow (Grant, 1993).

For the complete story visit the URL below:

http://york.extension.psu.edu/Agriculture/WateringDairyCattle98.htm