Water Requirements of Livestock in Fattening Units

The first essential nutrient for living organisms is water. Whereas an animal can survive for days without food, a lack of water can cause death within a matter of hours. In the case of cattle and sheep, an animal can stay alive for up to 3 weeks without food but can live for two or at most three days if not provided with drinking water. High temperatures, as are often experienced during dry periods, increase stress related to a water shortage.

The water requirements of livestock are based on a number of assumptions:

• Environmental temperatures are not excessively high
• The water provided is relatively clean
• The water is palatable
• Animal activity is average
• Dry matter intakes (and consequently growth rates) are average.

In the case of cattle, the European breeds have a slightly higher daily water need than indigenous breeds. European cattle will consume 3 kg of water per kg of dry matter consumed at an environmental temperature of 5°C and will drink about 8 kg of water per kg dry matter intake at an ambient temperature of 32°C. With sheep, the voluntary consumption of water is two to three times the intake of dry matter. The daily water intake of sheep can be 12 times greater in summer than in winter. The data in the table should therefore be used as a guide only. Local conditions, including temperatures, wind speed and water quality, could change these figures substantially.

To ensure that a water shortage does not adversely affect animal performance, livestock must have constant access to water. Drinking troughs must be checked daily and, as a precaution, a backup system is important. With a large water reticulation system, the primary reserve should contain at least 8 days’ supply and the secondary reserve (between the main water reserve and the drinking points) at least a 2-day supply of water. It is useful to keep water carts on standby for emergencies.

Click here to learn more about good water quality for beef cattle.