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Milk comprises almost 90 per cent water, so it's not surprising that a cow's water intake has a major effect on her milk production. When you provide a proper water supply, cows drink more, eat more and thus produce more milk. It sounds simple, but the amounts of water involved are significant. One kilo of dry matter intake utilises up to five litres of water. Cows need at least three litres of water to produce one litre of milk. This means that high-milking cows need more than 150 litres of fresh water every day!
Cows like to drink fast – up to 20 litres of water per minute. If they can't, their water intake may fall off and their milk yield will suffer. A 40 per cent reduction in water intake can cut milk production by 25 per cent. It is essential that you meet all your cows' drinking needs. Cows like to drink when they eat and just after milking. They prefer a large, calm drinking surface from which they can drink quickly and without stress. Such natural drinking behaviour promotes further eating, even more drinking and thus greater milk yields.
Our bowls and troughs provide easy, convenient access to water in tied-up stalls, loose-housing and pastures. The water they drink is also hygienic. The bowls and troughs minimise microbial growth and hinder pollution by dirt. This also makes them very easy to keep clean. |
