AC Voltages on Water Bowls: Effects on Lactating Holsteins

Abstract

Water intake, milk yield, feed consumption, and milk composition of lactating cows were monitored before, during, and after 21-d exposures to voltage. Fifteen first parity and 15 multiparous cows were divided equally among five treatments (0, .5, 1, 2, and 4V) in which voltages were applied continuously between water bowls and metal floor mats. Initial application of voltage caused delays in drinking, which increased with voltage. Two animals receiving 4V did not drink for 36h, at which time their voltages were disconnected. All other animals drank within 36h and showed no significant long-term difference in the monitored parameters. Drinking behavior in the presence of voltage was investigated further by exposing 44 first parity and 40 multiparous cows to voltage (3, 4, 5, or 6V) for 2 d. Four first parity cows receiving 5 or 6V did not drink for 36h while all other animals did. Delays in resumption of drinking increased with voltage. In total, all 42 animals exposed to 3V or less adapted within 36h, as did 60 of the 66 Holsteins (91%) exposed to 4 to 6V. Adaptation may have been enhanced by the continuous presence of the voltages.