Feature Article June 3, 2004
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Cattle in the Water Lowers Beef Weight Gains
A study has shown that calves with cows drinking from a trough gained 9 percent more weight than a similar group that drank while standing in a pond. In the same study, steers gained 16 to 19 percent more if they got their water from a trough compared to drinking from a pond.
Other studies have shown that simply by pumping surface water and causing air to be mixed with the water, cattle will increase the amount of water they drink by 10 to 20 percent. Increasing water intake by cattle is closely related to increasing weight gains.
There now are many types of pumps and power sources, such as solar panels, that make it easy to pump water from natural sources to livestock watering troughs. One of the simplest is one of the oldest windmills.
Not only does watering from a trough increase weight gains, it also is a safeguard against livestock diseases and vet bills. Footrot and deer disease or leptospirosis are associated with cows standing in water. Brucellosis can be spread through water. Blue-green algae that grow as a surface scum on stagnant water produce toxins. Ever notice how your dog wont drink old water that has gone green?
It turns out that the new environmental policy aimed at keeping cattle out of lakes, ponds, marshes and stream pools is actually going to make money for beef and dairy farmers.
For more information see Watch Water From Ponds by Catherine Brown, Ontario Beef Farmer, Late Spring 2004.
