ANIMAL HUSBANDRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 54, 27 November 1928, Page 14

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY NOTES

WATER SUPPLY OF DAIRY COWS (By the Department of Agriculture.) , A pure and wholesome water supply, is essential for all classes of livestock. Animals can live much longer: without solid food than without water, and an insufficiency of water in the body causes serious disturbances. The processes of mastication, digestion, absorption and assimilation are hindered; the intestines are not properly Pushed, and waste matter remains too long therein. In ruminants, particularly cattle, impaction results, with a consequent decrease in the yield of milk. Under normal conditions animals consume a fairly uniform quantity of water for each pound of dry matter eaten. Depending on the succulence and composition of the food, so will the demand for water be regulated. Cows require from three to five gallons of water per day when dry, and about three times that amount when in. full milk. As water is necessary for digestion and absorption, it is also essential in that it regulates the body temperature. Water is given off in the vapour from the lungs and also from the surface of the body. From these remarks it will be seen that a supply of pure water within easy reach on a dairy farm is essential to maintain the cattle in good health. The importance of water may be overlooked ps the season advances and more particularly in those areas subject to drought. Stagnant pools are a breeding ground for disease and liable to surface contamination from the animals themselves. As a water supply for stock generally, these pools must be condemned. They are liable to harbour the eggs of internal parasites of stock, and if the pools are foul they may set up digestive disturbance in the animals.

The erection of concrete wateringtroughs tor dairy cattle is gradually replacing w’ooden ones. Concrete troughs as erected should be provided with an outlet at the bottom of the trough for purposes of periodically draining and cleaning.. If raised from the ground these troughs are not liable to contamination by the animals’ feet or droppings. The troughs should be conveniently situated in the various paddocks so that the cows may have more time to graze and ruminate. If animals have to walk long distance for their water supply they are not so contented and do not give of their best in regard to milk yield. This point is very essential and will repay for the extra cost in a very short time. As the area around the trough is liable to become waterlogged and boggy in wet weather, it is very desirable to gravel this particular part. If gravelled the tendency to foot troubles in the dairy herd is reduced. The milk yield of a herd is considerably influnnced by the water supply. In high producing animals the owners see to it that a constant supply of pme water is always within easy reach.