Last week we talked about the importance of water quality for dairy cows. This week we’ll learn more about effective water delivery that ensures cows are getting the amount of water they need.
Effective water delivery can often be overlooked, but it is one of the most important dairy herd management practices because it directly relates to the entire herd’s productivity. This includes the amount, size, temperature, location and cleanliness of water sources.
Donna Amaral-Phillips, dairy nutritionist at the University of Kentucky, says providing a steady flow of clean, fresh water in close proximity to milking stations is important, as cows are likely to drink up to 50 to 60 percent of their daily intake immediately after milking.
Here are some additional tips on setting up water stations:
- Parlor area – Approximately two linear feet of watering space per cow is recommended.
- Housing area – Approximately four inches of linear watering space per cow is recommended. A minimum of two water sources per group, located within 50 feet of the cows, is best.
To learn even more about water delivery, consult the following articles:
- “Drinking Water for Dairy Cattle: Part 3” in Dairy Herd Management
- “Water Intake Determines a Dairy Cow’s Feed Intake and Milk Production” in Progressive Dairyman
Tags: Dairy, nutrient management practices, University of Kentucky, water delivery, water quality
