Key Technical Points for Scientific Drinking Water Management for Dairy Cows in Winter
Dairy cows do not drink less water in winter than in summer. The main reason is that in summer, dairy cows are supplied with relatively more green, succulent feed, while in winter, the supply of green, succulent feed is relatively insufficient and the amount of dry matter supplied is greater. Therefore, in winter, attention must also be paid to supplying dairy cows with sufficient water. Insufficient water supply to dairy cows will directly lead to a decline in milk production and trigger other functional disorders. Dairy cows should not drink water with ice chips; water with ice chips can easily cause indigestion, thereby inducing digestive tract diseases and seriously affecting their milk production. When giving water to dairy cows, it is best to heat the water to 10°C-25°C. In addition, dairy cows need a water supply all day, not water supplied by feeding times. Practice has shown that in winter, mixing part of the concentrate with boiled water into a thin porridge for dairy cows to drink can significantly increase milk production.
1. Ensure Sufficient Drinking Water
Farms (households) with the conditions can install automatic drinkers in the cow shed so the cows can drink at any time. Water can also be supplied at fixed times every day, generally 3-4 times per day, and 5-6 times per day in summer. Water troughs should be set up in the exercise yard to ensure a supply of fresh, clean drinking water. In short, no matter what method of water supply is adopted, it must ensure that dairy cows have sufficient drinking water. Especially high-yielding dairy cows must not lack water.
2. Ensure Drinking Water Hygiene
Ensure the safety and hygiene of the water source. The water source of a dairy farm should avoid pesticide factories, chemical plants, slaughterhouses, etc., to prevent contamination. The water source is best if it is tap water. If there is no tap water and well water or river water is chosen as the water source, the water must be settled and disinfected before being used for drinking. Generally, adding 6-10 grams of bleaching powder per cubic meter of water or treating it with 0.2 grams of Baidusha is sufficient. When choosing well water, deep well water is best, and the well should be covered and sealed to prevent dirt and sewage from entering. For grazing dairy cows, it is best to monitor water quality. For drinking water with excessive hardness, the method of drinking cooled boiled water can generally be used to reduce its hardness. In high-fluoride areas, when the fluoride content in drinking water is too high, aluminum sulfate and magnesium oxide can be added to the drinking water to reduce the fluoride content.
Drinking water utensils should be kept clean and hygienic, rinsed every day, and disinfected regularly. Especially in summer, more attention should be paid to maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. Prevent microbial growth and water quality deterioration. Pay attention to the hygiene of water troughs in the exercise yard; it cannot be ignored.
3. Scientifically Provide Drinking Water to Dairy Cows
The cow's body contains about 55%-75% water. Various nutrients must be dissolved in water before they can be absorbed by the body and transported to all parts of the body. At the same time, the transport and excretion of metabolic products produced by the body, the dissipation of body heat, and body temperature are all related to water. The temperature of drinking water and seasonal and day-night changes also affect the cow's water intake and production performance. In cold weather, if cows are given warm water to drink, their water intake can be increased. Li Yan