Essential water management strategies and considerations in winter weather

Requirements vary by age, size, lactation status and environmental conditions. In winter, mature cows need about 10 to 12 gallons (about 38 to 45 litres) per day, while peak lactation or hot summer weather pushes this level to 16 to 17 gallons daily (60 to 64 litres) to support milking and help regulate body temperature.

Snow contributes to practical hydration

Jenifer Heyden, livestock and feed extension specialist for the government of Saskatchewan, says in the northern regions, snow can be an acceptable contributor to winter hydration if it’s of reasonable quality and quantity.

“With snow settling on bales or swaths set aside for winter grazing, cattle consume both feed and snow, but it’s important to remember the amount of snow doesn’t equal the amount of water,” Heyden explains. “Snow is usually equivalent to somewhere between 6 and 10 to 1, meaning if a cow needs 5 gallons of water, it requires roughly six or more pails of snow, which is a lot. It also shouldn’t be too deep or rough, as it will scratch noses and cause mouth sores.”

If snow is overly dry, even more is required to meet an animal’s needs. Plus, as it’s cold, it cools the rumen, which negatively influences body warmth capabilities in colder temperatures. Heyden recommends producers not rely solely on snow but suggests it works in combination with fresh, clean water sources.

Using available natural resources

Heyden says frozen ponds, dugouts, creeks and streams are also reasonable winter water sources, but is concerned when cattle must venture out onto frozen surfaces, running the risk of injury or death.

“There’s a large risk involved of falling through the ice when using these practices,” she says. “Also, it’s not great from a public trust point of view. Additionally, there is the people angle. If chopping holes in the dugout or pond ice, we want our producers to be safe. Risk is involved for people and animals.”

“Chopping holes in dugouts and ponds throughout an entire winter creates much more manual labour, but it is an option as cattle can drink and be productive in this way,” says Megan Van Emon, Montana State University Extension beef cattle specialist. “In the coldest temperatures, we must keep the ice open for them all winter long, which means extra time spent driving to and from sources and energy expended to chop the ice.”

Research has shown cattle will drink more when water is slightly warmer than from nearly freezing sources. If we increase the temperature in tanks or automatic waterers, consumption will rise, but installing this equipment may not be practical or feasible for all operations.

In Van Emon’s region of eastern Montana, water is typically high in salt and sulphur. Cows familiar with an affected source will become adapted to it, but animals brought in from other areas may struggle to drink. Poor quality can cause palatability issues. If cows aren’t reaching their adequate intake levels, feed consumption suffers, resulting in mineral, protein and energy requirements not being met.

“Salt isn’t specifically toxic, but similar to humans enjoying a salty snack, we need more water, which makes us crave even more salt,” Van Emon says. “It’s a cycle of salt and water that never catches up. Other minerals can also lead to deficiencies, which in more substantial cases will negatively impact reproduction.”

Testing for quality

Heyden believes it’s never a bad idea to have sources tested, especially for sulfates, nitrates and sodium, as they are the biggest culprits of poor quality. Labs will typically run tests for general chemistry, conductivity, pH, iron, calcium, magnesium and total dissolved solids.

She says samples can be brought to regional offices in Saskatchewan, where initial screening is done with conductivity meters. If levels are high, samples are sent to the provincial lab for further analysis. Results are interpreted by a livestock specialist, who applies cattle guidelines before returning them to producers. While not all provinces offer this service, testing labs are available, and a livestock specialist or animal nutritionist will interpret results intended for livestock.

In Montana, Van Emon says simply sending a targeted sample to a local extension office or state specialist will enable testing for both seen and unseen issues.

“No matter the test results, it’s difficult and costly to dig a new well or change a water source,” Van Emon says. “But if this is the course of action, and the test shows high levels of dissolved salts or other negative influences, let the water run for as long as possible, as there may be a pocket where the drill traveled or an underground reservoir that might clear up in time.”

Tips and options

Van Emon views the most critical aspect as ensuring water is available daily.

“Testing is helpful, but the best clue is cow behaviour,” she says. “If they approach the water cautiously and only lap at it instead of drinking deeply, there’s likely an issue with the source, possibly due to underground changes beyond our control.”

Heyden outlines some potential options for winter systems to help avoid reliance on snow or chopping ice throughout the season.

• Frost-free nose pumps: Cattle pump their own water, requiring no power source.
• Motion-activated systems: A bowl fills when animals drink. Solar panels or standard power are necessary, depending on location.
• Geothermal waterers
• Pumping from a dugout to an insulated trough: This requires solar power for the pump.

“If reliance is on chopping holes in dugout or pond ice through the winter, we must complete this task at least once or twice each day,” Heyden says. “If using an automatic bowl or heated trough, monitor them often to ensure they’re working consistently. Having them fail, especially over a longer time period, will be extremely detrimental.”