Pilot Project: Beef Heifer Water Intake and Performance Based on Distance to Water
Applied Research
John Yost
Assistant Professor and Extension Educator
The Ohio State University
Wooster
Abstract
Beef cattle consume approximately 1 gallon of water per 100 pounds of body weight, and this requirement can double as environmental temperatures increase to 90 degrees F or above. These water consumption needs have been determined through individual evaluation in metabolism crates and estimated as average consumption observed in group testing environments. New technology developments now allow measurement of individual intake behaviors across production environments. The goal of this pilot project was to determine if the distance required to reach a water source, from a grazing area, affected the number of daily water visits, the total water consumed each day, and the daily weight gain of yearling crossbred beef heifers (n = 34). Water intake was measured with a mobile Vytelle SENSETM weigh system and a Richie Brand water, with an attached flow meter. The weigh system allowed only one animal to drink and a time, and body weight and water consumption were assigned to individual through an RFID tag. A HOBO Pendent G accelerometer was attached to the hindleg of a subset of heifers (n = 8) to determine the time spent laying down each day. The potential walking distance range an animal could walk from each paddock was 0 to 300 yards, 0 to 400 yards, or 350 to 893 yards from the paddock to the water source. The distance from the grazing area to the waterer affected all variables evaluated. At the furthest travel distance of 350 to 893 yards, compared to a closer paddock, heifers spent more time laying down (610 minutes/day vs 525 minutes/day), visited the waterer less each day (2 visits/day vs 3 visits/day), consumed less total water (17 L/day vs. 11 L/day), and exhibited a lower average daily gain (1.3 ADG vs 3.5 ADG). This project confirmed the current recommendation that cattle should graze within 700 feet of their water source. Further research is warranted to refine current recommendations to provide guidance on paddock design and water availability to improve beef cattle performance and welfare.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: John Yost, Tylor Yost
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Yost, J. Assistant Professor and Extension Educator, The Ohio State University Extension, Ohio, 44691
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Yost, T. Graduate Assistant, West Virginia University, West Virginia, 26505