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WATER QUALITY AND ANIMAL PERFORMANCE With the exception of oxygen, water is the single most important nutrient for livestock. Animals need a plentiful supply of good, clean water for normal digestion and metabolism (including fermentation), proper flow of feed through the digestive tract and proper nutrient utilization. However, water quantity and quality can often be over-looked or taken for granted on many livestock operations, says Michael Bain, Zinpro Country Manager. Good quality water can be defined by a number of factors including taste, smell, presence or absence of bacteria and other harmful substances. So a routine water analysis, at least twice a year may help identify potential contaminants and the need for water treatment or change of water source. On first sampling, a broad spectrum analysis is recommended with follow up sampling conducted if the water contains any elements which approach or exceed the upper desired levels for livestock. Understanding the coliform level, total dissolved solids, pH, hardness, sulphates and nitrates are equally as important as knowing the calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and molydenum. So do tick all the boxes to make sure no stone is left unturned. Conducting a water analysis is simple if done correctly. Sterilised sample bottles should be used and the water source should be sampled during times when the animals are drinking. The water should also be sampled from the inlet and not from the water trough. The samples should arrive at the laboratory within 24 hours. For many producers it is an important service Wynnstay Dairy Specialists could offer guidance to an appropriate laboratory. Some potential water problems are detrimental to both humans and livestock. Contamination with coliform bacteria needs attention and elimination of the site of contamination is recommended. Iron and manganese contamination may have the greatest impact on animal performance by reducing water palatability, as these minerals have a bitter taste. They also create deposits on pipes and can therefore hinder water flow. Iron is one of the major antagonists for trace mineral absorption in the digestive tract; therefore attention to the levels of this element in water is important. 40% cows daily water intake is drank after each mailing Nitrates/nitrites may cause reproductive failure, reduced growth and poor oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Sulphates generally have a laxative effect on livestock, therefore reduce feed efficiency. One needs to identify the type of sulphate present in water to then determine the type of treatment system used. Sulphur/sulphates also affect copper and selenium absorption, thus creating a need for adjustment of these trace minerals in the feed. Adding water intake and quality to the total dietary intake of nutrients from the rest of the ration, such as forage, concentrates, succulents and liquids gives a far more accurate picture on total mineral intakes and ratios than the traditional route of only using what gets fed down the feed barrier and in the parlour. To help this evaluation, Zinpro have developed a computer programme called H2O® which is available through Wynnstay and calculates expected water intake based on yield, temperature, dry matter intake and a few other variables before all the mineral values from the water analysis and the diet are fed in to give a valuable picture of what may be too high or out of balance with another mineral. More information can be obtained from your Wynnstay Dairy Specialist Through peer reviewed research and published papers by leading experts such as Hutcheson 1996, Puls 1994, McDowell 1992, Willis 1997, Upper Level (intake effected) Maximum Level (performance effected) Units Aluminium 5.0 10.0 mg/kg Boron 5.0 30.0 mg/kg Calcium 100.0 200.0 mg/kg Chloride 100.0 300.0 mg/kg Copper 0.2 0.5 mg/kg Flouride 2.0 2.0 mg/kg Iron 0.2 0.4 mg/kg Magnesium 50.0 100.0 mg/kg Manganese 0.05 0.5 mg/kg pH 8.5 8.5 Nitrate-Nitrogen 20.0 100.0 mg/kg Phosphorus 0.7 0.7 mg/kg Potassium 20.0 20.0 mg/kg Sodium 50.0 300.0 mg/kg Sulphur 50.0 300.0 mg/kg Zinc 5.0 25.0 mg/kg 14 www.wynnstay.co.uk
Thompson 1997 and Bergsrud 1990, Zinpro have been able to compile an understanding on the point at certain minerals in the water impact intake, due to a bitter taste in the case of manganese and iron. This is shown in the table as the ‘upper level’ whereas the ‘maximum level’ is the point at which performance begins to be effected if cows are expected to just get on and drink it, explains Michael Bain. Ensley, in a report published in 2000, confirmed what a lot of producers observe every day - that cows seek water immediately after being milked. Ensley was able to add that cows were found to drink around 40% of their daily water intake needs after each milking (2 x systems). To help ensure all cows leaving the parlour at the same time have adequate trough space it is becoming common practice in American herds to have a wall mounted trough as the picture below shows. Every cow leaving the parlour at the same time can access the trough by allowing at least 24’’ (60cm) per cow. Tips to optimise water intake: • Troughs should be big enough to allow a number of animals to drink at once. To make sure the area accessible for drinking is large enough for the number of cows in a pen, make sure the combined trough perimeter allows for 9cm per cow • Troughs need to be cleaned once a week to optimise intake. This task includes tipping or bucketing out the trough as well as brushing the inside surface of the trough with a brush • Troughs should be located within 15m of the feed trough • Troughs in cross alleys or walkways should allow cows to easily pass each other while one is drinking. This minimises the possible effect of the water trough area becoming somewhere a heifer or a shy cow can feel she can’t get away from a more dominant cow in the pen. Chad Huyser from Lely would recommend a walkway 4 metres wide • Water troughs should be between 24’’ (60cm) and 32’’ (80cm) for Holstein Friesans and 22’’ (55cm) to 30’’ (75cm) for Jerseys The ‘take-home messages’ 1. Plenty of fresh clean water in the right place at the right time 2. Test every six months 3. Have standard operating procedures for management and cleaning of water troughs Steve Brown Ruminant Feeds Product Manager M: 07774 855026 steve.brown@wynnstay.co.uk Photos courtesy of Zinpro Corporation Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Spring 2013 15
Page 1 and 2: Dairy N e w s l e t t e r Spring 20
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